Defence completes cross-examining complainant

The defence lawyer for suspended Sonagazi OC Moazzem Hossain yesterday completed cross-examining the complainant of the case filed over filming Nusrat Jahan Rafi’s statement and circulating the footage on social media without her consent.

Meanwhile, Judge Ash Sams Joglul Hossain of Dhaka Cyber Tribunal summoned two other witnesses to appear before it on September 1 to narrate what they knew about the matter.

During yesterday’s hearing, the defence lawyer cross-examined Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon, a lawyer of the Supreme Court and also the case’s complainant, on different points. Sumon replied to all the questions.

On July 31, the complainant gave his deposition before the tribunal and he was partly cross-examined by the defence.

Sumon filed the case against the former OC on April 15.

Nusrat, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa in Feni, was set ablaze on April 6, allegedly after refusing to withdraw a case she had filed against her principal, Siraj Ud Doula, for sexually harassing her. She died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10.

The OC was withdrawn the same day after Nusrat’s family alleged that he had not cooperated with them. During that time, a video clip of Moazzem asking Nusrat several humiliating questions went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism.

Moazzem was suspended on May 8 for negligence in duty. Police later arrested him in the capital’s Supreme Court area.