Indemnity Act

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The Indemnity Act was first promulgated as an ordinance by Bangladesh president Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad. It was made a formal statute by Major General Ziaur Rahman and later approved by the Jatiyo Sangshad as official legislation. In 1986, it was enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh with the 5th amendment. Initially the legislation gave immunity to the persons involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which took place on August 15, 1975. Subsequently, Ziaur Rahman and his successor Hossain Mohammad Ershad used the law to legalise the military coups, martial law decrees and orders and other political events and decrees promulgated under their rule. ^[1]

The Indemnity Act was repealed when Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the daughter of Sheikh Mujib took office as Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1996. A 2005 court ruling further pronounced the rule of Ziaur Rahman and the coup overthrowing Sheikh Mujib as illegal.

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