HC sets Nov 3 for passing order on Moazzem’s bail

The High Court yesterday set November 3 for passing order on the bail petition of suspended officer-in-charge of Sonagazi Police Station Moazzem Hossain, in a case filed over charges of recording statement of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi and circulating the video on social media.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman set the date after concluding hearing on the petition.

During the hearing, Moazzem’s lawyer Advocate Abdul Baset Mazumder prayed to the HC for granting bail to his client, saying that he (Moazzem) did not circulate the video and has been suffering in custody for a long time.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Sarwar Hossain Bappi opposed the bail petition, saying the trial court has already recorded statements of eight witnesses and is scheduled to record the statement of the investigation officer (IO) of the case on October 30.

At this stage, Moazzem cannot be granted bail, he argued.

Moazzem submitted the bail petition to the HC on July 31 through a lawyer -- Advocate Rana Kawser -- in the case filed under the Digital Security Act.

On April 15, Supreme Court lawyer Syed Sayedul Haque Suman filed the case with Dhaka Cyber Tribunal against Moazzem for recording the statement of sexual assault victim Nusrat on camera, without her consent, and circulating it on social media.

Nusrat, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa in Feni, made national headlines after she was set on fire on April 6, allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case filed against madrasa Principal Siraj Ud Doula for sexually harassing her.

With 75 percent burns, she was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. After fighting for her life, she succumbed to injuries at the hospital on April 10. Her death triggered a huge public outcry across the country.

A video clip showing Moazzem asking Nusrat humiliating questions did the rounds on social media, drawing widespread criticism. Moazzem was suspended on May 8 over negligence of duty.