Govt to ensure justice for deprived armed forces personnel: CA Yunus

The government will ensure justice for members of the army, navy, and air force who were subjected to discrimination, deprivation, or persecution under the previous government, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said today (30 November).

He made the remark after receiving a report from a special committee formed to review complaints submitted by affected retired and dismissed officers.

The committee was formed to review the applications of retired and dismissed officers who were subjected to discrimination, deprivation, injustice and retaliation in the service of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force during the previous government's tenure from 2009 to August 4, 2024.

Speaking at the State Guest House Jamuna, the chief adviser said that when he first assigned the committee to investigate, he believed only a few irregularities might surface. "But the comprehensive picture you have presented is truly alarming. It is far beyond imagination," he said, according to the CA Press Wing.

He thanked the committee members for their professionalism, impartiality, and dedication in uncovering the truth.

The committee, headed by Lt Gen Abdul Hafiz (retd) — special assistant to the chief adviser on Defence and National Solidarity Development — also includes Maj Gen (retd) Shams-ul-Huda, Maj Gen (retd) Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Rear Admiral (retd) Shafiul Azam, and Air Vice Marshal (retd) Shafqat Ali. They were also present at the meeting.

733 applications reviewed, 145 recommended

According to the CA Press Wing, the committee received a total of 733 applications from former military personnel who alleged discrimination, injustice, or politically motivated actions during their service from 2009 to 4 August 2024. After scrutiny, the committee recommended action in 145 cases.

Lt Gen (retd) Hafiz said the committee held its first meeting on 19 August 2025. Applications were sought — through WhatsApp messages, media announcements, and notices issued via the Central Officers' Record Office, ISPR, and Raowa — until 21 September 2025.

He noted that, except in a few cases, the officers recommended by their respective service boards had no recorded allegations of moral misconduct in their service dossiers.

The committee also went beyond existing board recommendations when justified, considering additional information gathered from interviews with applicants and, in some cases, contacting their commanding and senior officers.

Hafiz said that the committee members gave their opinions on many applicants, and honestly presented their views to the committee on the validity of the applications and the justification for the deprivation.

He added that the committee confirmed their deprivation by interviewing the affected officers and, in some cases, by contacting their commanders and senior officers over the phone

Findings reveal illegal detentions, fabricated charges, power abuse

The committee's investigation uncovered several grave incidents; six officers were forcibly disappeared for periods ranging from one to eight years on allegations linked to the political affiliations or suspected militant ties of their relatives.

One retired officer was allegedly killed in a staged militant operation, while his wife was imprisoned twice without trial for a total of six years — along with their one-year-old child — on alleged militant charges.

A number of officers who spoke out against government inaction during the 25 February 2009 BDR mutiny were tortured after being falsely implicated in an alleged plot to assassinate Barrister Taposh.

Five officers serving in DGFI during the 1/11 caretaker government were dismissed without charge or on fabricated allegations.

Several officers assigned by Army Headquarters to attend a briefing with the then-prime minister after the BDR mutiny were dismissed without any chance to defend themselves, after chaos broke out during the session.

Four junior officers (lieutenants) were dismissed for practising religious rituals, having been branded as aligned with a group or tagged as militants.

Committee's recommendations

The committee recommended the following measures for those found to have been wrongfully discriminated against.

A total of 114 officers of the Bangladesh Army are to receive appropriate remedies, including regular retirement benefits, promotions, pre-retirement promotions, dues, and other entitlements. Four officers should be reinstated.

From the Bangladesh Navy, 19 officers are to receive similar remedies based on eligibility, while 12 officers of the Bangladesh Air Force are to receive similar remedies.