High Court begins hearing appeals in Nusrat murder case

The High Court has commenced hearings for the death reference and appeals in the murder case of Nusrat Jahan Rafi, nearly seven years after a Feni court handed down death sentences to all 16 individuals accused in the crime. The proceedings began with Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir and Assistant Attorney General Rohani Siddika presenting the case documents.

The case stems from the brutal murder of Nusrat, a 19-year-old student at Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa in Feni. On March 27, 2019, the institution's then-principal, SM Siraj-Ud-Dowlah, sexually harassed her. Nusrat's mother filed a case against him, leading to his arrest.

According to the prosecution, Nusrat refused to withdraw the case. Subsequently, on April 6, 2019, Siraj's accomplices lured her to the madrasa rooftop and set her on fire. She tragically succumbed to her injuries on April 10, 2019, an event that ignited widespread national outrage.

On October 24, 2019, a Feni court delivered its verdict, sentencing all 16 accused, including Siraj and two local Awami League leaders who had been expelled, to death. The mandatory death reference, containing the trial court's records, was sent to the High Court for confirmation of the capital punishment, as required by law. The convicts have since filed appeals seeking acquittal.