BDR sepoy jailed, also loses service benefits for contempt
A BDR special court yesterday for the first time sentenced an accused mutineer to six months in prison and dismissed him from his services on charges of contempt of court.
The Special Court-7 brought contempt charges against sepoy Abdul Baset of 24 Rifle Battalion of Pilkhana after he made some arrogant remarks during yesterday’s proceedings.
“This supreme power [court] will not exist. Allah will do the justice,” said Abdul as the court resumed the trial proceedings of 667 accused mutineers of the battalion at the Darbar Hall of Pilkhana.
He did not seek the court’s permission before making the statements.
The punishment for the contempt of court also included cancellation of Baset’s all benefits including 50 percent of his salary and ration facilities that he had been enjoying since mutiny charges were framed against him.
The punishment came into effect from yesterday.
Following Baset’s remarks, BDR Director General Maj Gen Md Rafiqul Islam who was heading the court asked the security guards if the sepoy was chained up.
Reacting to the question, Baset said, “I have already been shackled. How many more times will you fetter me?”
The court then ordered to keep Baset away from other accused and adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes at 11:45pm.
Just before adjourning the proceedings for yesterday, the court said Baset damaged the sanctity of the court and handed down the sentence as per section 10(b)(1)(w) of the Bangladesh Rifles Order, 1972 and section 228 of the penal code.
Prosecutor of the mutiny case Lt Col Shamsur Rahman said BDR laws allow the court to make such a judgment for contempt of court.
He also said though Baset has been jailed, he will be produced before the court.
BDR sources said such punishment has been given for the first time since the trial of cases for mutiny began on November 24 last year.
The sources, however, said different special courts so far handed down verdicts in eight mutiny cases in which 273 jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment and 11 others acquitted.
The Special Court-7 yesterday also held cross-examination of three witnesses by 43 accused of 24 Rifle Battalion at the Pilkhana headquarters.
Lance Nayek Abdur Rahman, one of the witnesses, in his deposition described the jawans as barbarian beasts and wild animals. His remark infuriated the accused.
Later the prosecutor at a press briefing backed the remark saying, “They [BDR men] killed army officials and threw the bodies into drains. How do you [people] describe their atrocity?”
The court was adjourned until 9:00am today.
