Death for Nizami

Published : 06 May 2016, 02:48

Hhmudul Hasan Raju

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today rejected a plea of chief of notorious Al-Badr Bahini of 1971, Matiur Rahman Nizami, seeking review of the judgment, through which the Apex Court upheld his death sentence for committing crimes against humanity.

A four-member Appellate Division panel headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha pronounced the judgment this morning, paving way for the execution of the incumbent ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami.

People from all walks of life and different socio-political organizations expressed joy over the verdict, bringing out processions, distributing sweets across the country. They demanded immediate execution of the Apex Court judgment.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam in his initial reaction expressed his satisfaction over the verdict. Supreme Court Bar Association President Yusuf Hossain Humayun expressed gratitude to Allah, terming the verdict as an expected one for the nation.

"He was the driving force behind the Razakar and Al-Badr. He was behind many killings. The families of the victims will be satisfied now," said Sanaul Haque, senior coordinator of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) investigation agency.

Senior prosecutor Barrister Tureen Afroz termed the verdict as the victory for truth, while her colleague Zead-al Malum said this judgment has met the expectation of the justice-seekers and family members of the martyrs.

"His role behind the killings of intellectuals was known to all. Al-Badr cadres killed the 'golden sons' of our soil at his instigation, incitement and order. Now the review verdict will go to jail authority. The jail authority will fix the execution date in line with the government decision. The convict in the meantime will get opportunity to file clemency plea to President," said Attorney General.

When asked about the timeframe for seeking clemency, one jurist said there is no specific provision to this end in the jail code.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on October 29, 2014 sentenced the former chief of Islami Chhatra Sangha (ICS), then student wing of Jamaat, who later was sworn in as the supreme commander of infamous Al-Badr, as it found him guilty in eight charges out of the total 16.

On November 23, 2014, Nizami filed an appeal, seeking acquittal of the charges on 168 grounds.

The Apex Court after holding hearing on the matter upheld his death on three charges including masterminding the killings of intellectuals at the fag end of War of Liberation, aimed at making the country brainless.

The court also upheld death for the Badr leader for killings of around 450 people in villages Baushgari, Demra and Rupshi under Shathia upazila of Pabna on May 14, 1971. Around 30-40 women were violated by the Pakistani troops and Razakars on that day.

Nizami was also sentenced to death for his pivotal role in killings of 52 people including children and women in village Dhulauri on November 27, 1971.

On March 29, 2016, the Jamaat leader filed a plea, seeking review of the Appellate Division judgment. The Apex Court concluded holding hearing on the matter on May 3 and set today for pronouncing verdict.

Nizami was shown arrested under ICT Act on August 2, 2010. On May 28, 2012, the ICT-1 indicted Nizami of 16 specific charges of crimes against humanity.

Source: BSS.

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