November 3 set for OC Moazzem’s bail hearing

The High Court today fixed November 3 for passing an order on the bail petition of former Sonagazi Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Moazzem Hossain in Feni's Nusrat murder case.

The bench led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman set the date after hearing the bail petition.

Advocate Abdul Baset Mazumdar and Rana Kawsar represented the former OC, while Deputy Attorney General Md Sarowar Hossain Bappi stood for the state. Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon represented the plaintiff.

The court has already recorded statements of eight witnesses and is scheduled to record the statement of the investigation officer on October 31, Sarowar said.

The former Sonagazi OC is accused of unlawfully interrogating Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi and recording it on his phone.

A video of the incident made its rounds on social media, prompting lawyer Sumon to file a case against the policeman on April 15 under the Digital Security Act.

Moazzem had summoned Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa's Principal Sirajuddoula and Nusrat who accused the teacher of sexually harassing her.

Nusrat's mother had filed a case with the Sonagazi Police Station over her daughter's harassment.

Later, the Moazzem interrogated Nusrat using inappropriate language during the absence of her lawyer and any woman constable.

On April 6, Nusrat was set on fire at an exam centre reportedly by people loyal to Sirajuddoula.

Nusrat died on April 10 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Moazzem was initially withdrawn and later suspended on May 10. A tribunal ordered his arrest on May 27 after investigators found allegations brought against him to be true.

He was arrested on June 16 from Dhaka's Shahbagh.

The next day, the Cyber Tribunal rejected his bail plea and sent him to jail.