Defendants in Nusrat murder case appeal to Appellate Division

Four defendants in the Nusrat Jahan Rafi murder case have filed an appeal with the Appellate Division seeking acquittal. The applicants include the primary accused, former Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Degree Madrasa principal Siraj Uddoula, who is facing the death penalty, and three others sentenced to life imprisonment: Jabed Hossain (alias Sakhawat Hossain), Saifur Rahman Mohammad Jubayer, and Umme Sultana (alias Poppy).

The legal move follows a High Court ruling on August 24, which upheld the death sentences of two individuals, reduced the sentences of four others to life imprisonment, and acquitted ten others due to insufficient evidence.

The case dates back to 2019, when Nusrat Jahan Rafi was targeted following allegations of sexual harassment against the madrasa principal. On April 6, 2019, while attending exams at the madrasa, Nusrat was lured to a cyclone shelter roof and set on fire. She succumbed to her injuries on April 10 after being treated at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.