Thirteen prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) General Aziz Ahmed, were sued yesterday in connection with the death of Abdur Rahim, a key suspect in the 2010 BDR carnage case.

The lawsuit was filed by Rahim's son, Advocate Abdul Aziz, at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.

Abdur Rahim, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) with the former Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), was implicated in the 2010 Pilkhana massacre, where 74 people, including 57 army officers, were brutally killed. Rahim died in custody on July 29, 2010, while awaiting trial for his alleged role in the massacre.

Advocate Abdul Aziz’s complaint accuses the thirteen individuals of being responsible for his father's death in jail. The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Akteruzzaman has recorded the complainant’s statement and instructed the local police station to investigate if any reports of unnatural death were filed at the time of Rahim's death.

In addition to Sheikh Hasina and General Aziz Ahmed, the lawsuit also names several prominent political figures: Mosharraf Hossain Kazal, Ashraful Islam Khan, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, Sheikh Helal, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, and Hasanul Haque Inu.

The case also implicates around 200 unnamed individuals, broadening its scope and potential implications.

This lawsuit follows the recent removal of Sheikh Hasina's government, prompting renewed scrutiny over accountability and justice regarding events that occurred during her administration. The Pilkhana massacre remains one of the most tragic events in Bangladesh’s history, with ongoing criticism about the handling of the case and subsequent trials.

The court's directive to the police indicates that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the circumstances surrounding Abdur Rahim's death and to determine if any foul play was involved.

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