Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the government will ensure justice for members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force who were subjected to discrimination and persecution under the previous government, just as it is doing for other government officials and employees.
He made the remarks on Sunday at the state guesthouse Jamuna after receiving a committee report on discrimination cases involving retired and dismissed armed forces officers between 2009 and August 4, 2024.
“When I assigned you this task, I thought perhaps there were minor irregularities. But the complete picture you have presented is truly horrifying—far beyond imagination,” the chief adviser said. He thanked all members of the committee for uncovering the truth with full professionalism and impartiality.
Present at the meeting were the committee’s chairman and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on Defense and National Solidarity Development, retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz; committee members retired Major General Muhammad Shamsul Huda, retired Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, retired Rear Admiral Mohammad Shafiul Azam, and retired Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Shafqat Ali.
The committee received 733 complaints, of which 405 were accepted. It recommended 114 applications, identified 24 applications outside its jurisdiction, and found 99 cases involving disciplinary violations, sentence remission issues, or moral misconduct.
Abdul Hafiz said the committee held its first meeting on 19 August 2025. The deprived officers were asked to submit applications by 21 September 2025 via WhatsApp messages, print and electronic media, TV scrolls, and through the Central Officers Record Office, ISPR, and the retired officers’ organization RAOWA.
He said most officers recommended by their respective forces had no records of misconduct. The committee reviewed board findings, interviewed applicants, examined evidence, and impartially assessed the legitimacy of their claims. He added that the committee verified many deprivation claims through interviews with affected officers and phone conversations with their superiors.
The investigation found that six officers were illegally disappeared for one to eight years over alleged political or false militancy links—an unprecedented event in Bangladesh. One retired officer was killed under a fabricated militancy claim, and his wife was jailed without trial for six years along with their one-year-old child.
Investigations also revealed that several officers who spoke out against the government’s inaction during the 25 February 2009 BDR mutiny were tortured under a false case (attempt to murder Barrister Taposh). Five officers working at DGFI during the 1/11 caretaker government were dismissed on false or no charges. The committee found five officers unfairly blamed and dismissed for disorder during the Prime Minister’s post-BDR mutiny address without a chance to defend themselves.
Four junior officers (lieutenants) were also dismissed for observing religious practices, being labeled as belonging to a political group or tagged as militants—completely unjustly.
The investigation showed that despite following existing policies, 28 officers were subjected to enforced disappearance, abduction, illegal detention, torture, sham investigations, and extrajudicial actions, leading to severe physical and mental abuse, as well as immense family, social, and financial suffering.
Committee’s findings:
- Army: Recommendations were made for 114 officers, including regular retirement, promotions, pre-retirement promotions, arrears in salary and benefits, and reinstatement in four cases.
- Navy: Nineteen deprived officers were recommended for appropriate measures including retirement benefits, promotions, and arrears.
- Air Force: Twelve deprived officers were recommended for similar corrective measures.
Among the applicants were 125 army, 51 navy, and 25 air force personnel.
Also present at the meeting were Md Ashraf Uddin and the Chief Adviser’s Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq.
