Dhaka, May 27 – A Dhaka court yesterday issued an arrest warrant against Moazzem Hossain, the former Sonagazi officer-in-charge (OC), for spreading a video of murdered Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi on social media.
Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge Ash-Shams Jaglul Hussein passed the order following a report submitted by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) before the court seeking its directive over the matter.
PBI member senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Ruma Sultana submitted the report saying that the former Sonagazi OC tarnished the image and dignity of police by recording and spreading the video of murdered Nusrat Jahan Rafi.
As a member of disciplinary force, Moazzem should have interrogated her in woman and child friendly manner considering that Nusrat was a minor and madrasa student.
The report said, “Moazzen showed unprofessionalism and tarnished the image of the disciplined force by illegally recording Nusrat’s statement and spreading the video on YouTube. He was found guilty under sections 26, 29 and 31 of the Digital Security Act for recording Nusrat’s statement in his personal mobile phone and spreading the video on Facebook.”
The probe report recommended trial of Moazzem for videoing her statement with his smartphone at his office on March 27 and sharing the video with one Atiar Hawlader Sojol’s mobile phone on April 8 for posting on YouTube under Section 26 and 29 of the Digital Security Act respectively.
The report also said that Moazzem wilfully recorded Nusrat’s statement in presence of many strangers after calling her to the police station to disseminate her statements with details about her sexual harassment by her madrassah principal.
It said that Moazzem after recording Nusrat’s statement said that nothing happened to cry and asked her to calm down.
After passing arrest order, the tribunal fixed June 17 for the next hearing and asked the police to inform it on June 17 about updates regarding the arrest of Moazzem Hossain.
Earlier on April 15, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed the case against Moazzem at the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal under the Digital Security Act.
After hearing on the petition, the tribunal on the same day ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to look into the allegations brought against Moazzem.
In the petition, Sumon accused Moazzem of violating the laws by spreading a video of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi’s statement to the latter on social media.
According to case details, Nusrat went to Sonagazi model police station to file a case against Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa Principal Sirajuddaula on March 27 for sexually assaulting her the day before.
Moazzem recorded a video of her statement without her consent while asking her offensive and insulting questions. The video then emerged on various social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. It was alleged that Moazzem had spread the video on social media.
Moazzem, whose voice was heard in the video, had also appeared unconcerned to Nusrat’s complaints and said the sexual assault incident was nothing major. He also asked Nusrat to go home and assured her of taking steps in accordance with her written complaint.
But no action was taken against Sirajuddaula. Her family members, however, returned to the police station later that day and filed a case.
Moazzem was withdrawn from his post as Sonagazi police OC and transferred to the Armed Police Battalion on April 10, after Nusrat’s family alleged that he was not cooperating with them.
On April 11, Barrister Sumon saw the video on social media, which prompted him to file the petition against Moazzem for breaking the law.
Nusrat, who was an Alim examinee, suffered 80% burns when she was set on fire by four burqa-clad unknown assailants, who were allegedly followers of Sirajuddaula, on the roof of the madrasa at Sonagazi on April 6.
She was attacked for refusing to withdraw the rape attempt case her family filed against Sirajuddaula.
After she was set on fire, her family filed another case against eight people including Sirajuddaula on April 8. PBI is also investigating this case.
The 18-year-old girl died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10 after battling death for five days.
Most of the accused have already been arrested and remanded for different days, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally assuring that every single person involved in Nusrat’s murder would be brought to book. – Staff Reporter
