No interference in Nusrat murder probe right now: HC

Nusrat Jahan Rafi. File photo

Mentioning that the investigation into the Feni madrasa girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi murder is on the right track, the High Court on Tuesday said it will not interfere in it at this stage.

The HC bench comprising Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the remark during a hearing on a writ petition filed seeking judicial inquiry into the madrasa girl murder.

“We don’t see any negligence on the government’s part in investigation and the Prime Minister herself is monitoring the case. The investigation being conducted by the Police Bureau of Investigation is also going on properly. So, we don’t want to interfere in it so that their work is not hampered,” said the court addressing the writ petitioner.

The HC also fixed Sunday for the next hearing on the petition.

On April 17, Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directives to form a judicial inquiry commission to look into the murder of Feni madrasa girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

The writ also sought court’s directives to take necessary steps to send the case to the Speedy Trial Tribunal immediately and provide compensation to Nusrat’s family.

It also sought necessary action against the law enforcers who were involved in showing negligence to protect Nusrat.

Besides, it sought an order to issue a rule for taking necessary steps to hand over the case to Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) for proper investigation.

Eunus Ali Akond urged the HC to seek the progress of the trial proceedings in cases filed over the murders of journalist couple Sagar-Runi, Tanwir Muhammad Taqi, Sohagi Jahan Tonu and Mahmuda Khanam Mitu.

On April 6, Nusrat was set afire at an examination centre allegedly by people loyal to the principal of her madrasa after he was arrested and subsequently suspended as she had accused him of sexually harassing her in Sonagaziupazila of Feni district.

She lost her battle for life on April 10 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the capital.

UNB Feni correspondent reports: Nusrat’s father Maulana AKM Musa Manik has thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed his gratitude to her for constantly monitoring the Nusrat murder case.

“The Prime Minister had asked the law enforcement agencies to arrest all of those involved in the killing of Nusrat and following her directive, all the accused have been arrested within a short period of time,” he said while talking to reporters at his residence on Tuesday.