Laxity of police, admin led to Nusrat murder: NHRC

The murder of Nusrat could have been avoided had the local administration and madrasa management council duly acted, National Human Rights Commission said in its investigation report.

The commission said both the police officials concerned and the district administration showed negligence in performing their duties.

NHRC chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque on Tuesday disclosed the report at the commission's office in the city’s Kawran Bazar area.

NHRC director (complaints and investigation) Al-Mahmud Foyzul Kabir and deputy director (complaints and investigation) M Rabiul Islam carried out the investigation.

On 27 March, the student’s mother filed a case against the principal on charges of sexually abusing her daughter.

On 6 April, the student had gone to Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa to take the Alim examination. She was set on fire after being tricked into going to the rooftop of the madrasa, after refusing to withdraw the case against the principal. She was admitted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition.

On 10 April, Nusrat died at the hospital. Her death triggered huge outcry across the country, demanding justice. Many of the accused have been arrested.

According to the NHRC report, principal Siraj Ud Doula had abused Nusrat sexually at his room. People loyal to him had poured kerosene on her and set her on fire.

The report said the police station asked immodest questions to Nusrat, and they tried to show the matter very lightly.

The video of Nusrat’s interview with police was posted on social media. Sonagazi police station officer-in-charge discharged his duties in an irresponsible manner. It went against the Digital Security Act, the report further said.

The report said, "Siraj Ud Doula was the super at a Doulatpur madrasa in 1995. He had gay relationship with madrasa students. A number of fraudulent cases against him are going on in the court."

Students and guardians lodged complaints against the principal to upazila nirbahi officer, additional district magistrate, madrasa governing body and police station, NHRC said in its report adding that local administration and madrasa authorities did not take any steps.

It is unbelievable how someone gets appointed as a madrasa principal despite having so many allegations against him, NHRC commission chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said.

He said an investigation should be carried out to find out people behind his appointment.

Reazul Hoque said, “Nusrat’s soul will be in peace if her killers are punished duly.”

The NRCH chairman said the members of police have already been closed. Their punishment has to be ensured if they were found guilty, he added.

The NHRC report has made a seven-point recommendation. It recommend taking action against those police and admin officials who showed negligence in their duties. It also recommended taking action against those who assisted the madrasa principal.

The madrasa governing body has to be reconstituted, the NHRC report observed, adding that the security of the family members have to be ensured as well.