Nusrat murder: Order on OC Moazzem’s bail 3 Nov

Former officer-in-charge at Sonagazi police station Moazzem Hossain (L) and Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi. UNB File Photo
Former officer-in-charge at Sonagazi police station Moazzem Hossain (L) and Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi. UNB File Photo

The High Court on Wednesday fixed 3 November for passing an order on the bail petition of former officer-in-charge at Sonagazi police station Moazzem Hossain in a case filed under the Digital Security Act, reports UNB.

The bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice Md Mostafizur Rahman fixed the date after concluding hearing on the appeal.

Advocate Abdul Baset Mazumdar and Rana Kawsar moved for the former OC at the court while deputy attorney general Md Sarowar Hossain represented the state. Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon represented the plaintiff.

The court has already recorded statements of eight witnesses and is scheduled to record the statement of the investigation officer on 31 October, Sarowar said.

Charges were framed against Moazzem at the Cyber Tribunal on 17 July.

The former OC is accused of unlawfully interrogating Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi and recording it on phone. A video of the incident went viral on the social media, prompting lawyer Sumon to file a case against the policeman on 15 April under the Digital Security Act.

Moazzem had summoned Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa's principal Siraj Ud Daula and Nusrat, who accused the teacher of sexually harassing her. The girl’s mother had filed a case with Sonagazi police station over her daughter’s harassment.

The former OC interrogated Nusrat in the absence of her lawyer or any other woman and used inappropriate language.

Nusrat was later set on fire on 6 April at an exam centre, reportedly by people loyal to Siraj Ud Daula. She died on at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital10 April.

Moazzem was initially withdrawn and later suspended on 10 May. A tribunal ordered his arrest on 27 May after investigators found allegations brought against him to be true. He was arrested on 16 June from Dhaka’s Shahbagh area.

The next day, the Cyber Tribunal rejected his bail plea and sent him to jail.