A three-member commission of inquiry has been constituted to investigate incidents of death, violence, vandalism, arson, looting, terrorist activities, and damage caused by the quota reform movement.
The law ministry published this gazette on Thursday, following an order from the president.
According to the gazette: “Under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956, and the powers given in Section 3, a three-member commission has been formed to investigate the incidents of death, violence, vandalism, arson, looting, and terrorist acts that occurred in various parts of the country from July 16 to July 21 in the name of the quota reform movement.”
Justice Khandakar Nuruzzaman of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court will preside over the commission, with Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Mohammad Showkat Ali Chowdhury serving as members.
The scope of work for the commission includes:
- Identifying the cause of death and the persons responsible for the deaths that occurred between July 16 to July 21.
- Identifying the individuals responsible for the violence, vandalism, arson, looting, and terrorist activities during the specified period.
- Assessing the damage to property of various government, semi-government, and autonomous offices or organizations, government companies, statutory authorities and corporations, and private institutions caused by violence, vandalism, arson, looting, and terrorist activities.
The gazette further mentioned that the judicial commission must submit its investigation report to the government within the next 45 working days, in accordance with the “Commission of Inquiry Act 1956”.
The Cabinet Division will provide secretarial assistance and cover necessary expenses for the commission, and may assign duties to any individual engaged in the work of the Republic to assist the commission.
Additionally, the notification issued on July 18 has been cancelled. However, any proceedings initiated under that notification will continue under this new notification, the gazette noted.
It is to be noted that six people were killed in various parts of the country due to the violence related to the quota reform movement on July 16. The government formed a commission to investigate the incidents of violence, arson, looting, and terrorist activities that followed.
On July 18, the Cabinet Department announced: “Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has been given the responsibility of this commission. The commission will submit its investigation report to the government within the next 30 working days.”
