Play store
The High Court has upheld the death sentences of two convicts in the widely discussed murder case of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi. Four others have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while 10 have been acquitted.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict on Monday (August 24).
The two convicts whose death sentences were upheld are Siraj Ud Daula, then principal of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa, and Shahadat Hossain Shamim.
Advocates SM Shahjahan, Barrister Masud Hossain Dolon and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir represented the convicts in court. Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir appeared for the state.
The Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal had delivered its verdict in the case on October 24, 2019, sentencing all 16 accused, including the dismissed madrasa principal Siraj Ud Daula, to death.
According to case documents, Siraj Ud Daula allegedly called Nusrat to his office on March 27, 2019, and sexually harassed her. He was arrested after a case was filed over the incident.
On April 6, 2019, Nusrat was allegedly taken to the madrasa rooftop after she refused to withdraw the case. Her hands and feet were tied, and kerosene was poured over her before she was set on fire.
Nusrat was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s burn unit for treatment. She died there on April 10, 2019.
Following the attack, Nusrat’s elder brother, Mahmudul Hasan Noman, filed a case with Sonagazi Police Station. The case was later converted into a murder case.