Dhaka court rejects plea on `war criminals’ in Pakistan
By IANSWednesday, February 2, 2011
DHAKA - The Dhaka High Court Wednesday rejected a writ petition seeking a direction to the government to bring back to trial 195 Pakistan Army personnel accused of killing unarmed civilians during 1971 freedom struggle.
The Pakistan Army personnel became prisoners of war in December 1971, when Bangladesh became independent. They were held in prisoners of war camps in India and were repatriated when India and Pakistan signed a treaty at Shimla in 1972.
The bench of Justice Imman Ali rejected the petition, Star Online, website of The Daily Star, reported.
Fakhrul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer, had filed the petition last October challenging the legality of the Shimla treaty.
Last November, a division bench of the high court had passed split orders on the petition.
Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque then constituted the bench of Justice Imman Ali for final hearing and disposing the petition.
The petition was filed following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to hold what are called “war crimes” trial.
It has constituted a three-judge panel, called International War Crimes Tribunal, to try those who allegedly killed unarmed civilians during the freedom movement.
Six Islamist leaders accused of the leading militia that carried out killings, loot and arson on behalf of the then East Pakistan regime are in jail pending trial.
