High Court begins hearing death reference, appeals in Feni's Nusrat murder case

The High Court today began hearing the death reference and appeals in the murder case of Nusrat Jahan Rafi, nearly seven years after a trial court sentenced all 16 accused to death.

The death reference, comprising the trial court records, was sent to the High Court for confirmation of the capital punishment, as required by law. The convicts subsequently appealed against their convictions and sought acquittal.

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A bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja commenced the hearing with Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir and Assistant Attorney General Rohani Siddika reading out the case documents.

The bench also fixed tomorrow for resuming the hearing.

Nusrat, a 19-year-old student of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa in Feni, was sexually harassed by the institution's then principal, SM Siraj-Ud-Dowlah, on March 27, 2019. Her mother subsequently filed a case against Siraj, who was arrested and sent to jail.

According to the prosecution, after Nusrat refused to withdraw the case, Siraj's accomplices lured her to the madrasa rooftop and set her on fire on April 6, 2019. She succumbed to her injuries on April 10, 2019, triggering nationwide outrage.

On October 24, 2019, a Feni court sentenced all 16 accused, including Siraj and two expelled local Awami League leaders, to death in the murder case.

The case records reached the High Court on October 29, 2019 as the mandatory death reference for confirmation of the death sentences, after which the convicts filed appeals seeking acquittal.