NHRC has found that, negligence in taking steps regarding Nusrat Jahan Rafi’s sexual harassment complaints, led to her murder later on.
A two-member probe committee of NHRC, led by Al-Mahmud Faizul Kabir-- a district judge and also director (Complaints and Inquiry) of the commission-- probed Nusrat’s murder.
On April 6, 18-year-old Nusrat was set on fire at a madrasa in Feni.
According to the probe committee of National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Nusrat’s murder was a result of a series of negligence beginning from the time of her admission at the Alim section Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa.
While disclosing the findings at a press conference on Tuesday, NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Haque said: “If the administration from the district level to madrasa acted responsibly, then the incident would never have taken place.”
He also blamed police, administration, and madrasa management for Nusrat’s death.
NHRC chief said, people talk about these kind of incidents for a while and then forget about it.
“The situation needs to be changed from the top and a permanent solution needs to be found for this kind of incidents,” he added.
He said, the madrasa management committee should have known that there were previous complaints of sexual assault against Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa Principal Sirajuddaula, who is now suspended.
“We questioned them [the madrasa committee] how he [Sirajuddaula] was appointed as the principal despite having this kind of past. They [committee] could not give us an answer” Kazi said, adding that there was negligence in the district admin also.
The NHRC chairman said, it was also the fault of former Sonagazi police station officer-in-charge, Moazzem Hossain, who did not give importance to the crime, and filmed Nusrat’s video while she was filing the attempted rape complaint.
Kazi Reazul Haque said: “If politically, socially, and economically strong personalities are not brought under the law, then these incidents would never stop.”
He also hoped that police will book all the criminals involved in the crime regardless of their identity.
Dhaka Tribune has collected a copy of the probe report, where the committee mentioned that police not only showed negligence, but was also a part of the crime against Nusrat.
In its seven-point recommendations, the investigation committee urged to take action against the officials concerned of the district administration.
It is worth mentioning that PKM Enamul Karim is the additional deputy commissioner of Feni District Administration, and also the president of the madrasa management committee.
The investigation committee recommended dismissal of the governing body of the madrasa, and form it newly. Action against those who patronized and assisted Sirajuddaula, the key accused was also recommended.
It also asked to ensure security of Nusrat's family.
Nusrat, who was an Alim examinee, suffered 80% burns when she was set on fire by four unknown burqa-clad assailants on April 6.
The assailants, who were allegedly followers of Sirajuddaula, took Nusrat to the roof of the institution and set her on fire.
She was attacked for refusing to withdraw a case her family filed last month against Sirajuddaula for sexually harassing and assaulting her.
After she was set on fire, her family filed another case against eight people, including Sirajuddaula, on April 8.
The 18-year-old girl died at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10 after five days in treatment.