The Indian government is likely to hold a fresh trial soon in the murder of Felani Khatun, a teenager who was shot dead by the Border Security Force of India on January 7, 2011 for crossing the border without valid documents.
The trial is likely to commence this month as the Indian authorities through an invitation in late August had asked the BSF whether Felani’s father and maternal uncle could be produced before court for deposition.
After the verdict of a special court acquitting the lone accused last year, the BSF headquarters said they were not happy with the trial and announced retrial. However, no date was set.
During the DG-level meeting in Delhi last month, the BSF authorities told the Border Guard Bangladesh delegation that they were further investigating the incident.
“Following Indian invitation, we gave them names of four persons and they have approved the list. The trial is likely to begin on any day this month,” Kurigram public prosecutor Abraham Linkon told the Dhaka Tribune.
The four are Linkon, Felani’s father Nurul Islam, her maternal uncle Abu Hanif and BGB 45 battalion Commanding Officer Mozammel Hossain Akand.
“We already applied online today [Saturday] and will appear before the Indian High Commission office physically tomorrow [Sunday] for finalising the visa procedures,” he said yesterday.
Felani’s father Nurul Islam said they were informed that there would be a fresh trial, but were yet to know about the date.
Felani was shot dead by the BSF at Anantapur border point in Kurigram’s Phulbarhi upazila while she was trying to climb over the barbed wire fence. She was on her way to Bangladesh with her father from Delhi where she used to work as a doemstic help.
When her clothes entangled in the barbed wire, the BSF fired at her. Her body was left there for several hours.
A photo showing Felani hanging from the fence was widely circulated by the media, sparking protests among people and prompting international rights groups to demand justice.
Amidst protest and criticism, the BSF probed the incident and found one of its members to be involved.
On September 5 last year, the General Security Forces Court of the Indian BSF in West Bengal acquitted 181 battalion Constable Amiya Ghosh, the self-confessed killer, because of “inconclusive and insufficient” evidence against him, the court said in its verdict.
Confirming the matter, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are informed about it. The government is taking necessary preparations. A team from Bangladesh will be there for deposition.”
