Justice not meted out 33 years into murder

The nation today observes the 33rd death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of its independence, as uncertainty still hangs over the trial of his killers.After a six-year break, the day is being commemorated at state level.In line with a High Court (HC) ruling, the government recently reinstated August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday in remembrance of the father of the nation who with most of his family was killed by a band of army men on this day in 1975.The BNP-led alliance government had stripped the day of its state status in 2002. But the HC on July 27 this year declared the decision illegal. August 15 was first declared National Mourning Day by the Awami League (AL) government in 1996.Three separate attacks on this day 33 years ago left as many as 24 people killed. Bangabandhu's two daughters--Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana--could escape the bloodbath as they were abroad at that time. The victims include Bangabandhu's wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and nine-year-old Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal, Parveen Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and his wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, 13-year-old Baby Serniabat, Serniabat's son Arif and four-year-old grandson Babu, three guests, four servants, and Bangabandhu's security chief Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmed. Bangabandhu united the Bangalees to throw off the shackles of Pakistani oppression and steered them to independence. His stirring speech before a crowd of lakhs raring to stake everything for freedom on March 7, 1971 left an indelible imprint on the nation's memory. For 21 long years, his killers had been immune from prosecution thanks to Indemnity Ordinance. The infamous law was finally repealed in 1996, paving the way for trial. A murder case was filed on October 2, 1996. In November 1998, the trial court awarded death penalty to 15 former army officers for killing Bangabandhu and his family.The HC upheld the death sentence of 12. Of those, Syed Farooq-ur Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Muhiuddin Ahmed, AKM Mahiuddin Ahmed (Lancer) and Bazlul Huda are behind bars while six are holed up abroad. Aziz Pasha, the other one, has died.Those still at large are Shariful Haque Dalim, AKM Mahiuddin, Rashed Chowdhury, Nur Chowdhury, Abdul Mazed and Moslemuddin.After the changes in January last year, the five on death row had filed appeals with the Supreme Court. But the appeals remain shelved as the Appellate Division is still shy of a judge to form a three-member bench required to hear those.State counsel of this case Anisul Huq yesterday told The Daily Star that they did not appeal to the SC for hearing the appeals in view of the shortage of judges. Abdullah-al Mamun, a counsel for the convicts, said the appeals lie unheard because the chief justice has yet to constitute a bench for hearing.Along with Awami League (AL), different political parties, student and socio-cultural organisations have taken up elaborated programmes to mourn the August 15 killings and demand execution of the verdict in Bangabandhu murder case.President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed will place floral wreaths at Bangabandhu's tomb at Tungipara in Gopalganj. The president yesterday issued a statement to pay respect to the independence leader. The same day AL central leaders laid wreaths and offered special prayers at the grave of Bangabandhu. AL acting president Zillur Rahman in a statement thanked the government for reinstating the day as National Mourning Day.