Dhaka, Aug 24 (V7N)- The High Court has upheld the death sentences of Siraj Uddaula and Shahadat Hossain Shamim, former suspended principals of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa, in the widely discussed murder case of madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.
Four other accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while 10 accused have been acquitted.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict on Monday afternoon.
On April 6, 2019, Nusrat was allegedly taken to the roof of a cyclone shelter at the madrasa while she had gone there to sit for her Alim examination. She was then set on fire.
Nusrat, who suffered severe burn injuries, was initially taken to Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Feni 250-bed General Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
She died while undergoing treatment on April 10, 2019.
Following the incident, Nusrat’s brother Mahmudul Hasan filed a murder case, and police submitted the charge sheet on May 28 of the same year.
After the trial, a court sentenced all 16 accused to death on October 24, 2019. The case records were subsequently sent to the High Court for approval of the death sentences, while the accused also filed appeals and jail appeals.
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