Verdict on death references, appeals in Nusrat murder case today

The High Court will deliver its verdict today, Monday, on the death references and appeals filed by the convicts in the Nusrat Jahan murder case. A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja will pronounce the verdict.

Police have tightened security at Nusrat Jahan’s family home in Sonagazi, Feni, ahead of the verdict.

Sonagazi Model Police Station officer-in-charge Abul Hasim said security was increased following a request from Nusrat’s brother and case complainant, Mahmudul Hasan. Two police officers had been deployed at the house since the murder.

Seven more officers were deployed there from Sunday, he said. Surveillance has also been increased in the area to maintain law and order.

The High Court concluded hearings on the death references, appeals and jail appeals in the case on 20 August and set Monday for the verdict.

Nusrat’s elder brother Mahmudul Hasan said, “My parents and the rest of my family want justice. We hope the lower court’s verdict will be upheld by the High Court as well.” He said the family was satisfied with the additional security but was “not completely free of concern” because family members have to leave the house for various reasons.

The Chief Justice formed the special bench on 10 June to hear death references, appeals and other matters under laws relating to violence against women and children on a priority basis.

The bench began proceedings on 14 June. Hearings in the Nusrat murder case began on 28 July and continued for 17 working days.

According to court records, on 27 March 2019, Siraj Ud Daula, then principal of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasah, summoned Nusrat to his office and sexually harassed her. He was arrested after a case was filed.

On 6 April, after Nusrat refused to withdraw the case, she was taken to the madrasah rooftop, where her hands and feet were tied, kerosene was poured over her and she was set on fire. She died on 10 April while undergoing treatment at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Her elder brother Mahmudul Hasan filed a case over the arson at Sonagazi police station. It was later converted into a murder case.

In its verdict on 24 October 2019, the Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced all 16 accused to death, including the suspended madrasah principal Siraj Ud Daula.

The other death-row convicts are Ruhul Amin, then president of Sonagazi upazila Awami League; Sonagazi municipality councillor Maksudul Alam; madrasah teacher Hafez Abdul Kader; lecturer Afsar Uddin; madrasah students Nur Uddin, Shahadat Hossain Shamim, Saifur Rahman Mohammad Zubayer, Javed Hossain alias Sakhawat Hossain Javed, Kamrun Nahar Moni, Umme Sultana Popy alias Tuhin, Abdur Rahim Sharif, Iftekhar Uddin Rana, Imran Hossain Mamun, Mohammad Shamim and Mahi Uddin Shakil.

After the trial court verdict, the case records were sent to the relevant High Court section on 29 October 2019 for a death reference and registered as Death Reference No. 140/2019.

A paper book was prepared on a priority basis because the case was considered sensational. The convicts also filed separate appeals and jail appeals.