Staff Reporter :
Thirteen high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) General Aziz Ahmed, have been sued in connection with the death of Abdur Rahim, a key accused in the 2010 BDR carnage case.
The lawsuit was filed on Sunday at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court by Rahim’s son, Advocate Abdul Aziz.
Abdur Rahim, who held the position of Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) in the former Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), was implicated in the 2010 Pilkhana massacre, a tragic event where 74 people, including 57 army officers, lost their lives. Rahim passed away in custody on 29 July 2010,
while awaiting trial for his alleged role in the incident.
In his lawsuit, Advocate Abdul Aziz has accused the 13 individuals of bearing responsibility for his father’s death in jail.
The case, which has drawn significant attention, was brought before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Akteruzzaman, who recorded the complainant’s statement.
The court has directed the local police station to investigate whether any case of unnatural death was filed at the time of Rahim’s demise.
Among those named in the case, in addition to Sheikh Hasina and General Aziz Ahmed, are several prominent political figures, including Mosharraf Hossain Kazal, Ashraful Islam Khan, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, Sheikh Helal, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, and Hasanul Haque Inu. The case also implicates 200 unnamed individuals, broadening its scope and potentially amplifying its ramifications.
This legal action comes on the heels of Sheikh Hasina’s recent ousting from power, casting a spotlight on issues of accountability and justice for events that transpired during her administration.
The Pilkhana massacre is remembered as one of the darkest episodes in Bangladesh’s history, with the investigation and subsequent trials facing criticism from various sectors.
The court’s order for further investigation suggests that the circumstances surrounding Abdur Rahim’s death will be closely examined to determine whether any foul play was involved.