ZCZC
BSS-40
TESTIMONY-CASE-DSA-MOAZZEM
Nusrat’s friends testify in case against OC Moazzem
DHAKA, Nov 04, 2019 (BSS) – Three new witnesses including two friends of
Sonagazi madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi, who was killed by assailants for
protesting her sexual harassment by her teacher, today testified before court
in a case lodged against former OC of Sonagazi Police Station Moazzem
Hossain.
The three witnesses are: Nusrat’s friends Nasrin Sultana Furti, Nishat
Sultana and CID’s forensic expert Mohammad Bodi.
Nusrat’s friends’ in their testimonies said Moazzem summoned them along
with Nusrat and video recorded their statements as well, by removing their
veils in his office.
After their testimonies, defence counsel Faruk Ahammed cross-examined
them at the court of Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain of Bangladesh
Cyber Tribunal. The tribunal after that adjourned the hearing till November
11.
Investigation officer and Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) senior
ASP Rima Sultana is scheduled to appear on that day as the next witness. A
total of 11 witnesses have so far, testified in the case.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman lodged the case
on April 15 under section 26, 29 and 31 of Digital Security Act (DSA) against
Moazzem for illegally recording Nusrat Jahan Rafi’s statement on video and
spreading it online.
Earlier on July 17, the tribunal framed charges in the case as Moazzem
pleaded not guilty.
The tribunal on June 17 sent Moazzem Hossain to jail after scrapping his
plea for bail in the case. Moazzem was arrested from capital’s Shabagh area
on June 16.
The tribunal on May 27 issued arrest warrant against the disgraced cop a
day after PBI submitted its probe report over the incident.
According to the allegations, the former Sonagazi OC summoned Nusrat as
she filed a case against Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa principal
Siraj Uddoula for sexual harassment.
The police official in his room started quizzing her about the incident
and was recording the whole incident in absence of any lawyer or female cop.
He was seen scolding her and asking Nusrat indecent questions. Moazzem later
posted the video on different social media sites.
Nusrat was set on fire on April 6 by Siraj Uddoula’s stooges and she
succumbed to her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10.
Nusrat had accused Sirajuddoula of harassing her sexually on March 27
while she was exposed to his extreme vengeance on April 6 as she went to the
madrasa to appear in Alim examination.
A group of masked youths, later found to be the cronies of the disgraced
principal, took Nusrat to the rooftop of the madrasa and set her on fire
after tying her with her scarf.
BSS/CORR/MHR/BZC/1920HRS