Nusrat murder: Convicts have to challenge verdict within a week

All the 16 convicts will have to challenge their death penalty awarded by a Feni court in Nusrat murder case within a week.

Judge Mamunur Rashid of Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal said this in the verdict handed down on Thursday.

The court has sentenced all the 16 accused in the Nusrat murder case to death and fined all of the convicts Tk one lakh each.

“We will file appeals within seven days,” defence lawyer Giasuddin Nannu said.

Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, was set ablaze allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case filed against Madrasa Principal Md Sirajuddoula for sexually harassing her.

The 18-year-old girl was tied up and set afire on the roof of the madrasa's administration building before one of her Alim exams on April 6.

Nusrat succumbed to her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10.

Nusrat’s brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman on April 8 filed the case against eight. Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on June 29 filed charge sheet against 16 in the case.

The 16 condemned convicts are: Former Madrasa Principal Md Sirajuddoula, Sonagazi municipality councillor Maksudul Alam, Shahadat Hossain Shamim, Hafej Abdul Kader,  Afsar Uddin, Saifur Rahman, Mohammad Zubayer, Javed Hossain alias Shakhawat Hossain Javed,  Kamrunnahar Moni, Umme Sultana Poppy, Abdur Rahim Sharif, Iftekhar Uddin Rana, Imran Hossain Mamun, Mohiuddin Shakil, Mohammad Shamim and Nuruddin.

Feni/Sourav Patowari/Mukul