Nusrat’s Family Satisfied With Verdict, Fears for Their Safety

Md Omar Faruk, Feni

The High Court has delivered its verdict in the long-awaited case concerning the burning and killing of Nusrat Rafi in Feni. The verdict was announced on Monday afternoon at Court No. 29 of the High Court’s Annex Building. While delivering the verdict, the judge observed that sentencing so many people to death at once had a “devastating effect” on their families. The judge also recommended that the judge who had delivered such a verdict be transferred to the Ministry of Law as a form of punishment.

Ms. Nusrat’s mother expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying, “Alhamdulillah, I am happy with the verdict.” However, she said she was deeply concerned about the safety of her husband and three sons. She alleged that the accused and their family members had threatened to shoot and kill Ms. Nusrat’s entire family following the High Court proceedings. Earlier, a Feni court had sentenced 16 people to death in the case. At that stage, 12 accused had reportedly given confessional statements. Ms. Nusrat’s mother told journalists that she had been living in extreme insecurity since the verdict was announced. She feared that the accused or their family members could attack Ms. Nusrat’s parents and three brothers at any time. She said the accused had previously threatened through various channels to shoot and kill Nusrat’s family while they were in jail. She added that she was even more fearful after Awami League leader Ruhul Amin and councilor Maksud, two of the keys accused in the murder case, were acquitted. Ms. Nusrat’s father and brothers are reportedly afraid to appear before the media. None of her family members attended the High Court on the day of the verdict because of security concerns.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nusrat’s family expressed deep concern over the acquittal of 10 accused and appealed to the prime minister for protection of their lives. Her mother, Shirin Akter, feared that the acquitted individuals could target the family in retaliation, despite 12 accused having given confessional statements. Although lawyers for the accused and their relatives were present in the crowded courtroom during the verdict, no lawyer appeared on behalf of Ms. Nusrat. The case was conducted by the state.

In the High Court verdict, Ruhul Amin, then president of Sonagazi upazila Awami League, and Maksud, then general secretary of the municipal Awami League and a councilor, were acquitted. Former principal Siraj Ud Doula and Shahadat Hossain Shamim were sentenced to death. Four others had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 10 accused were acquitted.