Nusrat Murder Case: Mother faints on witness stand

Shirin Akter, mother of slain Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi, fainted in the witness stand yesterday afternoon after describing to the court how Nusrat had to endure sexual harassment and was burnt to death.

She had not regained consciousness until she was taken to Feni Heart Foundation Hospital. She went home later.

Before passing out, Shirin told the court, “My daughter was set on fire at the behest of the madrasa principal. I want capital punishment of all the accused.”

She said she had learnt who were behind the murders and they had already confessed to the court.

Looking at the accused in the dock, she said Kamrunnahar, Umme Sultana, Shahadat Hoss-ain Shamim, Nur Uddin, and Saifur Rahman set my daughter on fire on the madrasa roof on April 6. The rest were guarding them on the ground.

Shirin told the court that Principal Siraj Ud Doula of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa on March 27 summoned Nusrat to his room from class by office peon Nurul Amin. “My daughter took two of her friends along but they were not allowed to enter the room.”

She said the principal then made an indecent proposal and touched her inappropriately. “At one stage, my daughter fainted. The principal than called in my son who took her home. At home, Nusrat described what had happened.” 

The court recorded the testimony of Nusrat’s mother and defense lawyers’ cross examination between noon and 2:30pm.

So far, 12 prosecution witnesses have testified. There are 92 witnesses in the case.

On April 6, Nusrat was set on fire at an Alim examination centre allegedly by students loyal to the principal after he was arrested and subsequently suspended following Nusrat’s allegation of sexual harassment.

After fighting for her life for five days, Nusrat died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on April 10.

Police Bureau of Investigation carried out the investigation and pressed charges against 16, including the principal.