Nusrat's mother satisfied with HC verdict, seeks security for family
Shirin Akter says the verdict confirmed her daughter’s death was a murder and urges authorities to ensure her family’s safety.
Shirin Akter, mother of madrasah student Nusrat Jahan Rafi, today (24 August) expressed satisfaction over the High Court verdict in the widely discussed murder case of her daughter and sought security for her family, alleging that they have received threats.
"I am satisfied with the verdict, Alhamdulillah," she told reporters at her home in the Char Chandia area of Sonagazi upazila in Feni following the verdict.
Shirin said some people had tried to portray Nusrat's death as a suicide after the incident.
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"But today's verdict has once again proved that it was a murder," she said.
She alleged that they were threatened with arson attacks on their home and harm to family members, seeking security for her family from the authorities concerned, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Sub-Inspector Palash Chandra Roy of Feni Model Police Station, who is part of the security detail, said additional security measures were taken around the family's home to prevent any untoward incident following the verdict.
The High Court on Monday upheld the death sentences of two convicts in the Nusrat murder case after hearing death references, appeals and jail appeals filed in the case.
The two convicts are Siraj-ud-Daula, expelled principal of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasah, and Shahadat Hossain alias Shamim.
The court also commuted the death sentences of four convicts to life imprisonment and acquitted 10 others.
The lifers are Nur Uddin, Saifur Rahman Mohammad Jobayer, Jabed Hossain alias Sakhawat Hossain and Umme Sultana alias Popy.
Those got acquitted are Maqsood Alam alias Moksud, a former councillor and former general secretary of Sonagazi municipality Awami League; Hafez Abdul Quader; Absar Uddin; Kamrun Nahar Moni; Abdur Rahim Sharif; Iftekhar Uddin Rana; Imran Hossain alias Mamun; Ruhul Amin, president of Sonagazi Upazila Awami League and former vice-president of the madrasa; Mohiuddin Shakil; and Mohammad Shamim.
According to the prosecution, Siraj-ud-Daula sexually harassed Nusrat in his office on March 27, 2019. He was arrested after a case was filed over the incident.
On April 6, 2019, Nusrat was taken to the roof of the madrasah building after she refused to withdraw the case against the principal. Her hands and legs were tied, and kerosene was poured over her before she was set on fire.
Nusrat died on April 10 while undergoing treatment in a Dhaka hospital.
Her elder brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman filed a case with Sonagazi Police Station over the incident, which was later turned into a murder case.
On October 24, 2019, Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mamunur Rashid sentenced all 16 accused, including the suspended principal Siraj Ud Doula, to death.
