Case Reference
Case Name: Bangabandhu Murder Case
Court: Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Summary
On August 15, 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was assassinated along with most of his family in a military coup at his residence, Dhanmondi 32. The Bangabandhu Murder Case sought to identify and prosecute those responsible. The prosecution presented evidence of a premeditated plot, while the defense challenged the trial’s fairness. In 1998, 15 were sentenced to death. The High Court in 2001 upheld 12 death sentences and acquitted 3. In 2010, the sentences were carried out, marking a historic step toward justice and accountability for a national tragedy.
Facts
On August 15, 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and its first President, was assassinated along with most members of his family in a coup d’état. The assassination took place at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence, known as Dhanmondi 32, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The coup was led by a group of army officers who were dissatisfied with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government.
Issues of the case
- Identifying the individuals responsible for planning and carrying out the assassination.
- Determining the motive behind the assassination and any potential conspirators involved.
- Assessing the level of involvement and culpability of different individuals in the assassination.
- Ensuring a fair trial process for the accused and providing justice to the victims’ families.
- Addressing any potential political implications and repercussions of the case.
Arguments of the case
Prosecution
- Presented evidence linking the accused individuals to the planning and execution of the assassination.
- Argued that the assassination was a premeditated act to eliminate Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
- Highlighted the significance of bringing the perpetrators to justice and upholding the rule of law.
Defense
- Challenged the credibility of the evidence and the reliability of the witnesses.
- Argued that the accused individuals were not involved in the assassination and were being falsely implicated.
- Raised concerns about the fairness of the trial process and potential political motivations behind the case.
Judgment of the case
The final judgment of the Bangabandhu murder case was delivered on April 31, 2001. Twelve of the accused were convicted and sentenced to death for their involvement in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Seven individuals were acquitted of the charges. In 1998, a Dhaka sessions judge’s court found 15 people guilty and awarded the death penalty. In 2001, the High Court acquitted three but upheld the death sentences of 12.
In 2010, the Appellate Division upheld the verdict. The same year, five of the convicts — Syed Farooq Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Bazlul Huda, AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed, and Mohiuddin Ahmed—were hanged. Another convict, Aziz Pasha, died as a fugitive in Zimbabwe. Majed was one of the six absconding convicts, along with Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, M Rashed Chowdhury, SHMB Noor Chowdhury, and Risaldar Moslemuddin, until he was arrested and executed in 2020.
