BDR massacre: Chief of inquiry commission to get status of SC judge

The chief of the National Independent Commission of Inquiry tasked with reinvestigating the 2009 BDR massacre will be granted the status of an Appellate Division judge of the Supreme Court.

The commission's members will be entitled to the status of High Court Division judges, and enjoy similar salary and benefits.

The government issued an official gazette notification on January 26 in this regard, signed by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, following directives from the president.

This notification is effective immediately.

Earlier, on December 24, 2024, the government in a gazette notification established the seven-member commission to reinvestigate the BDR massacre and examine the crimes committed before, during, and after the tragic incidents of February 25 and 26, 2009.

The commission will also seek to identify the individuals and entities, both domestic and international, implicated in the incident.

Former BGB director general Maj Gen (retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman will lead the commission, with retired Maj Gen Jahangir Kabir Talukder and retired Brig Gen Md Saidur Rahman serving as members.

Other members include former joint secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, former DIG M Akbar Ali, Associate Professor of Dhaka University Shariful Islam, and Assistant Professor of Jagannath University Shahnawaz Khan Chandan.