The revision trial of Felani killing case starts today at the sector headquarters of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Cooch Behar of India.
Mohsin Reza, public relations officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), confirmed the news to the Dhaka Tribune.
On January 7, 2011, Felani was shot dead by 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 domestic 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. Amid protests and criticisms, 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.
Confirming the matter, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told the Dhaka Tribune at that time that the government was taking necessary preparations and a from Bangladesh would be there to give deposition.
After the verdict, the BSF headquarters said they were not happy with the trial and announced retrial.
During a director general-level meeting in Delhi last month, the BSF authorities told the BGB delegation that they were further investigating into the incident.
