The Dacca has obtained portions of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances' final report, revealing that Army Chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman personally intervened to shut down an internal military investigation into enforced disappearances, including the case of missing BNP leader Elias Ali.
In September 2024, the army established an internal board led by Lt Gen S M Kamrul Hasan to examine Elias Ali's disappearance. Over two weeks, the board recorded statements from approximately 60 individuals. However, the investigation was abruptly dissolved on grounds of "orders from above" without formal procedure. The commission concluded that Gen. Wakaruzzaman personally issued the disbandment order. It writes, “...any order directing the cessation of a board led by a Lieutenant General would necessarily have had to originate from a higher authority. In the circumstances described, the only officer with such authority would have been the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman.”
The commission's report details the military's response to the inquiry, covering jurisdictional questions and legal objections. Crucially, They collected testimonies demonstrating senior-level knowledge, oversight, and engagement with detention sites spanning multiple years.
Victim accounts revealed organized operations between agencies. DGFI used thicker blindfold cloth while RAB employed thinner material, sometimes allowing victims limited vision during transfers. The commission deemed this significant—different units maintained distinct equipment reclaimed after custody periods. Such transfers required prior communication, agreed locations, and mutual recognition between units, demonstrating deliberate coordination rather than informal arrangements.
Unlike other government branches, armed forces haven't adopted the PLR system. Lt Gen Akbar's Leave Pending Retirement ran from November 2023 to November 2024, giving authorities nearly two months to prosecute him before formal retirement. No action was taken.
National media outlets have maintained complete silence on these findings, with observers suggesting pressure from military authorities to suppress coverage.