Pilkhana tragedy: Complaint to be filed likely within 2 weeks against Hasina with ICT

Families of the martyrs of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre have announced their intention to take the case to the International Criminal Tribunal, citing the doctrine of command responsibility under international law.

Advocate Saquib Rahman, son of slain Colonel Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique revealed this information during a press briefing held at Rawa Hall in Mohakhali, where he spoke on justice for the 74 victims, including 57 officers, who were killed during the Pilkhana massacre, and to mark the day as ‘Martyrs' Day’ for the slain soldiers.

They demanded justice for the killing of 74 people, including 57 army officers, during the BDR mutiny.

Advocate Saquib Rahman, son of Colonel Quadrat Elahi Shafique, said that although the case remains under appeal, families of the victims remain in the dark about its current status.

"We will file a complaint in the International Criminal Tribunal within the next two weeks to expose the conspirators and uncover the real facts behind the Pilkhana killings," he said.

Rahman mentioned that the complaint would target Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapash, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Salim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Mirza Azam, alleging their involvement.

He also indicated that charges would be brought against Sheikh Hasina under the doctrine of command responsibility, as she was in charge of the Defense Ministry at the time.

Officials from DGFI and some journalists accused of shaping a misleading narrative will also face allegations.

Rakin Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of then-BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed, emphasized that the Awami League government at the time obstructed justice. "Now that there are no barriers, the investigation must be completed, and the culprits must face the law," he said.

The families also called for February 25, the day of the massacre, to be declared "Martyred Army Day."

Nahrin Ferdausi, wife of Martyr Colonel Mojibul Haque, demanded that the national flag be flown at half-mast on this day.

She further urged the government to grant martyr status to the slain officers through an official gazette, include the Pilkhana tragedy in school textbooks, and expedite trials for those wrongfully arrested.

Ferdausi added: "Justice delayed for the Pilkhana massacre leaves the families of martyrs in agony. Innocent detainees should also be released swiftly following fair trials."

The families also sought investigations into alleged conspiracies and demanded the arrest of individuals implicated in the attempted murder of Chittagong lawyer Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah.

The Pilkhana massacre remains one of Bangladesh's darkest chapters, with calls for justice resonating even 16 years after the tragic incident.