BDR trial reference goes to SC

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BDR DG Major General Mainul Islam (right) speaking at the first 'darbar', held at the Darbar Hall at Pilkhana in the city after the February mayhem. — FocusBangla photos

The President's reference, seeking the Appellate Division's opinion on which law the BDR mutineers should be tried, was sent to the Supreme Court (SC) Monday, reports UNB.
State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam told reporters Monday that there were two sets of law - one was the BDR Act and another the Army Act - to hold the trial of the BDR mutineers. The conviction under the BDR Act carried seven years jail term while it was capital punishment under the Amy Act.
Advocate Qamrul said since the people wanted exemplary punishment of the BDR rebels, opinion had been sought from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court to see whether it was possible to hold the trial under the Army act.
Asked if the government had sought opinion about the trial under the Army Act, the state minister said they had cited both the acts and the extent of conviction. Now the Appellate Division would give an opinion on the matter.
He said the trial would be held in accordance with the Appellative Division's opinion.
In reply to another question, advocate Qamrul said the government was expecting the opinion before the Supreme Court goes on vacation on August 28.
Earlier on Sunday, the law ministry sent the reference to the President through the Prime Minister's office seeking the Supreme Court's opinion on which law the BDR rebels would be tried.