The government has sent a proposal to form a national independent commission to uncover the true reasons behind the Pilkhana massacre, the state counsel informed the High Court today (2 December).
The bench, led by Justice Farah Mahbub, was apprised that the proposal for the commission is currently under review at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the progress in forming the commission, the court directed the state counsel to provide comprehensive details about the commission at the next hearing.
Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan and Assistant Attorney General Mujahidul Islam Shahin represented the state during the proceedings.
The commission’s formation follows a public interest litigation filed by Supreme Court lawyers Md Tanvir Ahmed and Biplob Kumar Poddar, who had earlier sent legal notices to relevant authorities but received no response.
On 6 November, the High Court directed the Home Ministry to resolve the petitioners’ application regarding the commission within 10 days.
The court also issued a rule asking why the failure to form the commission should not be declared illegal and beyond lawful authority, and why an order should not be issued to establish the commission.
Additionally, the court inquired why 25 February should not be declared as “Martyred Army Officers Day.”
The Pilkhana massacre occurred on 25 February 2009, at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka, during which 57 army officers were killed.
