A Dhaka court will decide on October 31 whether the charges against 801 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) jawans and 23 civilians for the carnage at its Philkhana headquarters on February 25-26 last year would be taken into cognisance.
Meantime, BDR authorities have formed 10 special courts after reshuffling the existing six for quick disposal of the cases.
After scrutinising the case docket and other documents, Judge (In-charge) Mohammad Ismail Hossain of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court set the date yesterday.
Earlier on September 22, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka shifted the cases to it for trial.
On July 12, Special Superintendent of Police Abdul Kahar Akond, also the investigation officer of the case, indicted 824 BDR jawans and civilians for 24 criminal charges in the mutiny.
Former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and Awami League leader Torab Ali were among the civilians accused for assisting the mutineers to flee.
Of them, 21 BDR jawans have been absconding since the case was filed against them.
Later, Criminal Investigation Department also submitted another charge sheet against 807 BDR personnel and one civilian in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act.
ACTIVITIES OF BDR COURTS
The activities of the newly constituted courts started yesterday at BDR Headquarters with the proceedings of special court-11 that held hearing on charge framing against 84 accused mutineers of Dhaka Sector Rifles Headquarters.
Apart from BDR director general, sectors deputy DG, sector commanders and directors will also be able to preside over the courts.
Col Sumon Kumar Barua, BDR director (admin), said five of the courts will operate in Dhaka while the rest five outside the capital.
The BDR official hoped that the courts outside Dhaka will complete mutiny trial within next three to six months and those are in Dhaka within six to nine months.
According to BDR officials, BDR director general will preside over one of five courts in Dhaka while the deputy director general of BDR and two sector commanders the will lead four other courts.
Sector commanders will preside the five courts out of Dhaka.
Meanwhile, BDR special court-11 yesterday adjourned the hearing on charge framing against 84 accused mutineers till 10:00am today.