DHAKA: Amid some significant developments on the national front, the High Court Monday opened a process of review of the execution of military officer-turned-revolutionary Colonel Taher back during the days of political turmoil following the August 15, 1975 coup.

The High Court issued rule upon the government to explain within three weeks why the Martial Law Regulations under which Colonel Taher was executed should not be declared ‘illegal and unconstitutional’.

The court also directed the government to submit within the same period all records of the military trial of Col Taher, also a freedom fighter and sector commander of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

An HC bench comprising Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain came up with the orders Monday in response to a writ petition for a review of the court martial done after general Ziaur Rahman took the helms of the country through the 7th November 1975 ‘sepoy-people revolution’.

Seven people, including the home secretary, the defense secretary and the Inspector-General of Prisons, have been made respondents to the rule.

Earlier on Sunday, Taher’s wife Lutfa Taher, his brother Prof Anwar Hossain and Fatema Yusuf, wife of Taher’s brother Yusuf Ali Khan, filed the writ petition.

Plaintiff’s lawyer Dr. Shahdin Malik said, “Colonel Taher was sentenced to death in a secret trial on July 21, 1976. Besides, there was no chance to appeal challenging the verdict.”

Prof. Anwar Hossain said, “Today is a historic day as the High Court accepted our plea after long 34 years.”

The sedition case was filed against Taher and 32 others who were tried under Martial Law Regulations No-16 on July 17, 1976. The martial court convicted 16 people, including Taher.

BDST: 1429 HRS, AUG 23, 2010.