Dhaka, July 09 – “Some officers-in-charge (OCs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) thought that they are the supreme authority. It seems they are all in all,” an HC bench comprising Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Khizir Hayat made the comments while hearing on the OC Moazzem Hossain’s bail petition.
The High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail petition of former Sonagazi Police Station officer-in-charge Moazzem Hossain in a case filed against him under the Digital Security Act.
Advocate Ahasanullah, counsel for Moazzem, told the court that a video of Feni madrasa girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi recorded at the OC Moazzem’s phone. But, the video of the incident went viral on social media after the video went to the hand of a journalist.
Then, the HC bench replied that Nusrat might not have been killed if the video had not gone to the hands of journalists sometime before.
Advocate Ahasanullah told the court that the case filed against him is a bailable offence. He is now seriously ill. He is needed to take treatment. Hence, he should grant bail in the case, the counsel of OC said.
Opposing his prayer, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said that the allegations brought against him are sensitive. If the police officer is serious ill, there is a specialize hospital for his treatment.
The jail authority will take necessary steps for his treatment, if needed, the chief law officer noted.
Later, the HC bench rejected the bail petition as it was not being submitted properly. Now, Moazzem will have to spend more time in prison following the HC order, lawyers concerned opined.
The police officer filed the bail petition seeking bail from the HC on July 2.
He is accused of unlawfully interrogating Feni madrasa girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi and recording the incident on phone. A video of the incident went viral on the social media.
Supreme Court lawyer Syeddul Haque Sumon filed a case against Moazzem under the Digital Security Act on April 15.
Moazzem was withdrawn and later suspended on May 10. A tribunal ordered his arrest on May 27 after investigators found allegations brought against him to be true. He was arrested on June 16 from Shahbagh.
The next day, the Cyber Tribunal rejected his bail plea and sent him to jail.
Moazzem had summoned Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa’s Principal Sirajuddoula and Nusrat, who accused the teacher of sexually harassing her.
Nusrat’s mother had filed a case with Sonagazi police over her daughter’s sexual harassment. The OC interrogated Nusrat in the absence of her lawyer or any other woman and used inappropriate language.
The girl was set on fire on April 6 at an exam centre, reportedly by people loyal to Sirajuddoula. She died on April 10 at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. – Staff Reporter
