Zia’s body not found, coffin brought in Dhaka by decorating it: PM

September 16, 2021

PBC News: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said she had wanted to make Ziaur Rahman an accused in the Bangabandhu killing case as his involvement in the massacre was beyond doubt.

“There’s no doubt that he was involved in the 1975 carnage. I wanted to make him an accused, but the then home secretary Rezaul Hayat once said dead persons cannot be made any accused. But his name (Zia’s name) should have been there as an accused (in the case),” she told Parliament.

The Prime Minister said this while delivering her valedictory speech in the 14th session of the 11th parliament.

Hasina said Bangabandhu’s killers Faruque and Rashid in their interviews with the BBC had said Zia was involved in the conspiracy. It was also stated in the books of Anthony Mascarenhas and Lawrence Lifschultz. “So, how can they (BNP) deny it?” she questioned.

The Prime Minister said Ziaur Rahman’s body was not found following his murder. “A box (coffin) was brought in Dhaka after decorating it [from Chittagong],” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, “Ziaur Rahman’s body was not found after his death. A box was brought in Dhaka after decorating it. General Ershad himself admitted to me that Ziaur Rahman’s dead body was not found after his death.”

The Prime Minister also pointed out that the 26th March is the Independence Day of Bangladesh. “How Ziaur Rahman had become the Proclaimer of Independence after announcing it (independence) on the 27th March,” she asked.