HC verdict in jail killing case
THE High Court judgement on the famous jail killing case, overturning the convictions handed out by the lower court and acquitting six former militarymen and upholding the death sentence of only Risaldar (retd) Muslemuddin, has generated more questions than answered.
It is difficult to imagine how the sentence against one man, that too absconding, in a massive crime of historical proportions snuffing out four top leaders of the country can stand the test of credibility. Obviously, stakes of many were involved, somebody or a group must have masterminded it, and orders passed by someone in authority in whatever form or shape to execute the serial murders.
The jail house is the most protected place one could think of as far as safety of lives and limbs of the interned leaders were concerned. The very fact that such a security stronghold could be breached and wanton killings perpetrated would mean that it was all a product of conspiracy. The impression that there was a linkage between Bangabandhu's assassination and the jail killings is too overwhelming to be cast aside. It is natural to suspect that the murders in the Dhaka Central Jail took place at the orders of those who took power following Bangabandhu's assassination.
The eight trial court convicts are absconding and have not preferred an appeal so that their life sentences remain valid, but all those in custody have been exonerated. We wonder, whether the government investigation was fragile, prosecution weak, evidence wanting or analysis of the circumstances left much to be desired. But what has come out of the legal process so far smacks of a miscarriage of justice and we hope that after an appeal to the Supreme Court, justice will be done and a vicious crime that held serious consequences for the country's future would be finally held to account.
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