Nusrat Jahan Rafi Murder: Case hearing delayed for coronavirus

Though a High Court bench was ready to hold hearing on the sensational Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi murder case, it cannot start the proceedings as the court functions are closed due to ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The HC bench led by Justice Soumendra Sarker could have begun hearing of the death reference and appeals in the case in last week of March as Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain earlier assigned it for hearing and disposing of the matters, Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ahmed told The Daily Star on Monday.

He said the bench may start the case hearing immediately after it will reopen following the ongoing closure.

"At least, six months' time will be needed for the High Court for finishing hearing and disposing of the matters after it will start the hearing, " DAG Bashir Ahmed said.

The trial court had finished the trial proceedings of the case within a recorded short period of time as the government had given priority and necessary measures including completion of investigation and producing witnesses before the court for quick delivery of justice for the case..

After the case's death reference reached the HC, the chief justice ordered the office concerned to prepare the case's paper book as soon as possible, SC sources said.

After the paper book was prepared in February this year, the chief justice assigned the HC bench led by Justice Soumendra Sarker for hearing and disposing of the death reference and appeals.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told this correspondent earlier that his office will conduct the case on behalf of the state before the HC bench after it includes the matter in its cause list and fixes a date for hearing.

Nusrat, a 19-year-old madrasa student in Feni, lost her battle for life on April 10 last year, four days after she was set afire.

She was sexually harassed by the then madrasa principal Siraj Ud Doula, on March 27 last year.

Her mother filed a case against Siraj, who was later sacked, arrested and sent to jail.

A Feni court on October 24 last year handed down death sentence to all 16 accused, including Siraj Ud Doula and two expelled local Awami League leaders, over the murder, an incident that shocked the nation.

The accused burnt Nusrat by pouring kerosene on her in a planned way, and they deserve exemplary and harshest punishment, the trial court said while delivering the judgement in a packed courtroom.

The documents of the murder case reached the HC on October 29 last year, as a death reference to examine the trial court verdict.

If a lower court sentences any person to death in a case, its judgement is examined by the HC through hearing arguments for confirmation of the death sentence.

The case documents and judgement reach as death reference to the HC from the lower court in seven days after the latter delivers the verdict.

Later on, convicts including Siraj Ud Doula filed separate appeals with the HC, seeking acquittal of the charges.