PBI: Witnesses in Nusrat murder case being provided legal assistance

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Chief and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Banaj Kumar Majumder has said that police are providing legal assistance to the witnesses in the murder case of Feni burn victim, Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

He said they are providing assistance to the witnesses so that no one can exert influence or intimidate them as their testimonies in the case are being recorded.

The PBI chief said this during a debate competition, titled “Practice of values for preventing women repression”, organized by Debate for Democracy at the Film Development Corporation in Dhaka on Saturday.

"We have 92 witnesses in this case. Among them, 13 witnesses, including Nusrat’s brother, have already given their testimonies. 

"All of the witnesses are very important for this case and their testimonies will decide how far we can take the case forward." 

When asked about any political or mental pressure regarding the case, he said: "We do have some mental pressure as this incident has created nationwide interest, and because of that, PBI is handling the case.

"Everything has a system. We have a team providing assistance to the prosecution in Nusrat's case."

Commenting on former officer-in-charge of Feni's Sonagazi police station Moazzem Hossain, the PBI chief said: “There are some people, including his lawyer, who are trying to establish the notion that Moazzem made Nusrat's video to be used as evidence. 

"He misused his power while recording the video."

Banaj Kumar also emphasized the importance of practising moral values in order to curb violence against women, besides the implementation of existing laws.

The debate was chaired by Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.

Siddheswari Girls' College spoke for the government at the debate, while the University of South Asia supported the opposition party and won. 

Nusrat Jahan, an alim examinee and a student of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa, died on April 10 from injuries she received after supporters of former madrasa principal Md Sirajuddaula set her on fire on the madrasa premises on April 6.

She had previously lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the principal on March 27 with the Sonagazi police station, following which he was arrested and jailed. Nusrat was set alight after Sirajuddaula's associates failed to intimidate her into withdrawing her complaint.

On May 29, the PBI investigated the case and submitted a charge-sheet sheet before a Feni court, seeking the death penalty for prime accused Sirajuddaula and 15 others.