Shawdesh Desk:

A tribunal in Dhaka on Thursday handed down eight-year of rigorous imprisonment to former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sonagazi Police Station Moazzem Hossain in a case filed under Digital Security Act for recording and circulating a video clip of madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

Judge Ash Sams Joglul Hossain of the Cyber Tribunal of Dhaka announced the judgment in presence of lone accused Moazzem.

He was also fined Tk 10 lakh, in default of which he has to serve six more months in jail.

The fine money will be handed over to Nusrat’s family, the court observed.

Earlier on November 20, the tribunal set Thursday for delivering the verdict on completion of placing arguments from the prosecution and the defense in the case.

Earlier, recording the deposition of witnesses was completed on November 12.  A total of 12 prosecution witnesses testified before the court in the case.

Nusrat, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, was set ablaze on April 6, allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case filed against the madrasa principal for sexually harassing her.

After fighting for life for five days, she died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 10.

The same day, Moazzem was withdrawn from the Sonagazi Police Station, as Nusrat’s family alleged that the OC was not cooperating with them.

A video clip of the then Sonagazi OC asking Nusrat humiliating questions also went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism across the country.

On April 15, Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon filed the case against Moazzem Hossain under the Digital Security Act, for circulating the video.

On July 17, the tribunal framed charges against Moazzem in the case.