Police have beefed up security at the home of slain madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi in Sonagazi as the High Court is set to deliver its verdict on the death references in her murder case on Monday.
A police team led by Sonagazi Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Abul Hasim visited Nusrat‘s home on Sunday afternoon to assess the security situation and check on the wellbeing of her family members.
The High Court has began delivering its verdict on the death reference, appeals and jail appeals in the high-profile murder case of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.
During the visit at Nusrat’s home, police spoke with the family and enquired about their safety.
Nusrat’s mother, Shirin Akhter, said she remains devastated by the loss of her only daughter.
“We got justice from the lower court after seeking justice. Hopefully, we will get justice from the High Court as well,” she said.
She said she was still concerned about the safety of her three sons and expressed gratitude for the security being provided by police.
“We also expect cooperation from the government in ensuring our safety and getting justice,” she added.
Nusrat’s elder brother Md Noman said the family was staying at home and thanked the police administration for strengthening security.
“We want justice,” he said.
OC Abul Hasim said police had maintained a team at Nusrat’s residence every day since the lower court delivered its verdict in 2019.
“Additional security measures have been taken around the High Court verdict,” he said.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja is scheduled to deliver its verdict Monday on the death references, appeals and jail appeals in the case.
The bench fixed the date on Thursday after concluding the hearing.
On 29 October, 2019, the trial court sent all records relating to the death sentences to the High Court for confirmation. The case paperbook was later prepared on a priority basis.
Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, a death sentence handed down by a trial court must be referred to the High Court for confirmation. Convicted prisoners also have the right to challenge their convictions and sentences through appeals and jail appeals.
On October 24, 2019, Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mamunur Rashid sentenced all 16 accused to death. The court also fined each of them Tk 1 lakh.
According to the prosecution, Nusrat’s mother filed a case on 27 March, 2019, against SM Siraj-ud-Daula, then principal of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa, accusing him of sexually harassing her daughter.
Siraj-ud-Daula was subsequently arrested. Prosecutors said his supporters later sought to secure his release and plotted to silence Nusrat.
Several of the accused allegedly met Siraj in jail on 3 April and planned Nusrat’s murder at the madrasa the following day, according to the prosecution.
On 6 April, Nusrat went to the madrasa to sit for her Alim examination. She was allegedly taken to the roof of a cyclone shelter attached to the madrasa and set on fire after refusing to withdraw the sexual harassment case against the principal.
Nusrat was rescued and taken first to Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex and then to Feni General Hospital. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where she died on April 10.
Her brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman filed the murder case on 8 April.
Police submitted the charge sheet on 28 May, and the Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal framed charges on 20 June. During the trial, the court recorded the testimony of 87 witnesses before hearing arguments and delivering its verdict on 24 October.
