Nusrat Killing: One student confesses direct links

An Alim examinee of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa yesterday confessed to playing a direct role in the killing of his fellow student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

Abdur Rahim alias Sharif in his confessional statement said he and 11 others had earlier planned to kill Nusrat and decided who would do what to execute the plan, said sources close to the investigation.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Shoraf Uddin Ahmed recorded the statement of the suspect who was arrested on Tuesday night in the capital’s Kamrangirchar.

Also yesterday, the same court placed another suspect Kamrun Nahar Moni on a five-day remand, hours after she was arrested in Mohipal area of Feni.

Twelve suspects, including Rahim and two key accused Nuruddin and Shahadat Hosen Shamim, held a meeting at the madrasa dormitory on the night of April 4, two days before the girl was set on fire.

Rahim also told the magistrate that they killed Nusrat at the order of their principal Siraj Ud Doula.

Rahim along with several others, including Nuruddin and Shamim, met Siraj at the Feni jail on March 28 and March 30 and got the instructions, he said in his statement, the sources close to the investigation added.

Siraj has been in jail since Nusrat’s mother filed a case accusing him of sexually harassing Nusrat at his office room on March 27.

In the morning of April 4, Rahim and several others held a meeting of “Principal Mukti Parishad”.

Rahim said Shahadat, Jobayer, Jaber, Poppy and Moni -- all suspects -- were on the rooftop during the incident.

After recording the confessional statement, the court sent Rahim to jail, said Inspector Shah Alam, who is investigating the case.

Names of Rahim and Moni came up in the confessional statements of two key accused Nuruddin and Shahadat. According to their statements, Moni and Umme Sultana Poppy helped others tie Nusrat’s hands and set her afire.

Sharif stood guard at the entrance to the madrasa along with several others during the incident, according to the confessions.

Moni is among the five who directly took part in burning Nusrat to death, said the investigation officer, reports a correspondent in Feni.

The Police Bureau of Investigation produced Moni, an Alim examinee, before the court yesterday with a 10-day remand prayer. The court granted five days.

Madrasa student and Alim examinee Nusrat lost her battle for life, five days after she was set afire on April 6 -- an incident that touched off outrage all over the country.

A group of five people poured kerosene on the 18-year-old girl and set her afire allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case against the principal of the madrasa over sexual assault on her late last month.

Meanwhile, a five-member probe body formed by the Police Headquarters on April 13 to assess the alleged negligence on the part of police officials of Feni in connection with Nusrat killing started its investigation yesterday.

SEEKING JUDICIAL PROBE

A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday seeking its directives on the government to form a judicial inquiry commission to probe the murder.

Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition to the HC. He also sought an order to form a special tribunal to deal with the Nusrat murder case and to take stern action against the law enforcers for their negligence in duty.

The lawyer also prayed to the HC to direct the authorities concerned of the government to pay adequate compensation to the family members of Nusrat and to transfer the case to the Rapid Action Battalion for proper investigation.

Besides, Eunus requested the HC to seek the progresses of the trial proceeding of the cases filed after the sensational killings of Sagar-Runi, Tanvir Muhammad Taqi, Sohagi Jahan Tonu and Mahmuda Khanam Mitu.

Eunus Ali said the HC may hear the petition today.

Meanwhile, members of the PBI yesterday arrested Abdul Kader, 25, an accused in the case.