Sheikh Hasina Named First Accused Pilkha­na Case

The legal proceedings over the 2009 Pilkhana killings remain entangled in a complex web of judicial processes, nearly 15 years after the tragic events. On 25 February 2009, a violent uprising at the Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) headquarters claimed the lives of 57 army officers, shocking the nation and leaving families of the victims to endure years of uncertainty and distress.

The prosecution has revealed that during witness testimonies in the explosive-related case connected to the killings, several senior political figures’ names surfaced. Notably, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her younger brother Sheikh Taposh, politician Mirza Azam, and former defence secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, along with several other ministers and Awami League leaders at the time, were implicated.

Chief Prosecutor Borhan Uddin confirmed to the media that, based on these testimonies, formal charges will be brought against them. Currently, nearly 850 individuals are named as accused under explosives laws linked to the incident.

Out of a total of 1,200 witnesses, statements from 300 have already been recorded. Crucially, these testimonies have indicated involvement by senior figures, including Sheikh Hasina, in matters relating to the BDR killings. The case remains under active trial, with further testimonies pending. Following 5 August, several hundred accused individuals were granted bail.

The scale of the 2009 tragedy shocked both the military and civilian populations. Few could have imagined that such a secure installation would witness the massacre of 57 officers in a single day.

A summary of the case verdicts and judicial outcomes is provided below:

The Pilkhana case exemplifies the intersection of military insurrection and political accountability in Bangladesh. The inclusion of the sitting Prime Minister as the first-ever accused in this high-profile trial adds an unprecedented dimension to the proceedings, highlighting the long-lasting ramifications of the 2009 events.

With testimony collection ongoing and hundreds of defendants still navigating the legal system, the case continues to test the patience of all parties involved, especially the families of the slain officers, who await justice after more than a decade of legal wrangling.