High Court Begins Appeal Hearings in Nusrat Jahan Rafi Murder Case

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The High Court has commenced the hearing for the death reference and appeals in the high-profile murder case of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi. A division bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice K.M. Rashaduzzaman Raja initiated the proceedings on Tuesday, marking the start of the judicial review of the lower court’s verdict.

The hearing follows a directive from the Chief Justice, who formed a dedicated bench on June 10 to expedite cases related to the suppression of violence against women and children. This specific bench, which began its formal operations on June 14, is prioritizing the Nusrat murder case due to its gravity and the public interest surrounding it. During the inaugural day of proceedings, the prosecution began presenting the paperbook, a comprehensive compilation of case documents, and read aloud the confessional statement of one of the convicts.

Representing the state, Deputy Attorney General Syed Izaz Kabir confirmed that the hearing is moving forward systematically. The proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday.

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The case dates back to March 27, 2019, when Siraj Ud-Doula, the then-principal of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa, allegedly sexually harassed Nusrat in his office. Following a complaint filed by her family, the principal was arrested. On April 6, 2019, while the legal case was still pending, Nusrat was lured to the roof of the madrasa, where she was tied up and set on fire by a group of assailants. She succumbed to her severe burn injuries four days later at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

A murder case was subsequently filed by Nusrat’s brother, Mahmudul Hasan Noman. On October 24, 2019, the Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing all 16 accused individuals, including the former principal, to death. The case records were transmitted to the High Court on October 29 of the same year for the mandatory confirmation of the death sentences. With the convicts having filed separate appeals and jail appeals, the High Court is now reviewing the trial court’s decision to determine the final legal outcome.