The High Court yesterday scrapped a tribunal's verdict in the case filed over the death of Rajshahi University student Wahida Sifat in 2015.

The Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 of Dhaka on February 27, 2017, sentenced Sifat's husband Mohammad Asif to 10 years' imprisonment for "provoking Sifat to commit suicide" and acquitted three other accused.

The tribunal acquitted Asif's parents -- Md Hossain Ramjan and Najmun Nahar Nazil -- and Jubaidur Rahman, assistant professor, forensic department of Rajshahi Medical College, saying the charges brought against them were not proved.

The tribunal also expressed disappointment over four investigation officers' probe as they failed to unearth the facts of the case.

Yesterday, the HC directed the tribunal concerned to hold a retrial of the case in three months.

The HC asked the lower court to consider bail of Asif if it could not finish the retrial under Penal Code in three months after receiving the HC verdict.

The HC also asked the three accused who were acquitted to surrender before the tribunal. It also asked the tribunal to give them bail after they surrender.

The HC delivered the verdict after hearing an appeal filed by Asif and on a petition filed by Sifat's uncle [father's younger brother] Mizanur Rahman Khandker.

Asif in his appeal sought acquittal of the charges while Mizanur in his petition sought  enhancement  of Asif's punishment.

Asif's lawyer Sarwar Ahmed told The Daily Star that retrial order was issued as there were discrepancies between the trial proceedings and verdict delivery.

The case was filed under section 11(Ka) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, but the sentence was handed down under section 306 of the Penal Code, he said.

Mizanur placed arguments in support of his petition after taking permission from the HC.

Sifat was found dead at her in-laws' house in Mahishbathan area of Rajshahi city on March 29, 2015.

A murder case was filed accusing Asif and his parents. The case was later handed over to the Speedy Trial Tribunal, which began the trial proceedings on November 11, 2016.