BDR Mutiny Trial
Defence lawyer warned of contempt of court
A special court, trying the suspected mutineers of 24 Rifle Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), yesterday warned a defence lawyer of contempt of court.
Quoting a write-up published in a national daily on March 16 by the lawyer, Sultan Mahmud, the court remind him that it is a special court which is conducted under the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Act, 1972.
“The trial proceedings are going on. It's not a civil court. You cannot make such comments that tarnish the image of the court. The court could bring the charge for contempt of court. You are being warned,” said BGB Director General Maj Gen Rafiqul Islam who presided over the special court-7.
In his write-up, Sultan Mahmud who was present at the court, made a doubt on the fairness of the court.
On the 31st days of the court proceeding, 20 defence witnesses gave depositions in the favour of 10 accused, out of 667 of 24 Rifle Battalion. The witnesses were cross-examined by the prosecutor. The court was set up at the Darbar Hall of BGB headquarters in Pilkhana.
Out of 667 jawans, only 66 accused requested for defence witnesses through Friend of the Accused to the court.
Five witnesses, including wife and neighbours, gave depositions for Sepoy Kamrul Islam.
The witnesses said that they found him at his resident during the mutiny. The court was adjourned till 9:00am of March 30.
Meanwhile, four witnesses gave depositions against 22 accused of Signal Sector who later cross-examined them at the special court-8, set up at the entertainment centre of 13 Rifle Battalion in the headquarters.
The court was adjourned till 9:00am of April 10.
A total of 73 people, including 57 army officers, were killed during the mutiny at the BGB headquarters in February 25-26 of 2009.
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