Milestone Plane Crash: Case Filed Against Dr. Yunus and 15 Others

A petition has been filed in court seeking to initiate a case against 16 individuals, including the Chief Adviser of the former interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, over allegations of negligence regarding the plane crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara.

Usaimong Marma, the father of deceased student Ukya Saing Marma, filed the application on Thursday (May 7) in the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam. After recording the plaintiff's statement, the court documented the petition for further proceedings.

The plaintiff's lawyer, A.K.M. Shariff Uddin, informed journalists that the application was filed citing "negligence of duty and security deficits" that led to the tragic incident. According to the petition, the crash occurred on July 21 of last year at approximately 1:18 PM when a training aircraft, an F-7 BGI, crashed into Milestone School and College shortly after takeoff.

The disaster resulted in the deaths of 35 people, including 28 students, three teachers, three parents, and one director. Additionally, 172 individuals suffered severe burns and permanent disabilities. The pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, also perished in the crash.

In addition to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who held the defense and armed forces portfolio at the time, the petition names several high-ranking officials of the former interim government and military leadership. Those named include former Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Education Adviser C.R. Abrar, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

The list further includes former Education Secretary Siddique Zubayer, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Air Vice Marshal Morshed Mohammad Khairul Afsar, and Group Captain Rifat Akter Jiku.

From the institution and local authorities, the petition names Milestone School and College Governing Body Adviser Retired Colonel Nuranabi, Principal Mohammad Ziaul Alam, Principal (Administration) Masud Alam, School Branch Principal Rifat Nabi, the Chairman of RAJUK, and the RAJUK Field Supervisor for Uttara.

The petitioner alleges that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, as the head of government in charge of the armed forces and the Ministry of Defense, had control over the crashed fighter jet and failed in his oversight duties.

Furthermore, the petition claims that despite an initial announcement to provide maximum compensation to the affected families, Dr. Yunus committed a breach of promise and acted deceitfully by neglecting his responsibilities toward the victims. The application also accuses Asif Nazrul, Rizwana Hasan, C.R. Abrar, and Shafiqul Alam of gross negligence in directing rescue operations and failing to provide necessary medical equipment and treatment for the burn victims following the crash.