Indian SC accepts writ over Felani verdict

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Indian supreme Court has accepted for hearing an appeal, challenging the verdict in Bangladeshi girl Felani Khatun murder case.

The chief Justic of the neighbouring country passed the order Friday, responding to a writ petition, said Kurigram Public Prosecutor (PP) advocate Abraham Lincoln.

The petition was jointly filed by Felani’s father Nurul Islam and Kolkata-based human rights organisation Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (Masum).

Another petition filed by Felani’s father and Salma Ali, the executive director of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association, against the first verdict is pending with the Indian Supreme Court for disposal.

Earlier on August 6, India’s Border Security Force chief DK Pathak assured that they would consider holding a fresh trial in Felani murder case if her family is aggrieved with the lower court verdict that acquitted the self-confessed killer.

The BSF director general mentioned that they were yet to approve the verdict handed down on July 3 by a special court in Cooch Behar of West Bengal.

The same special court on September 6, 2013 acquitted Constable Amiya Ghosh, drawing massive criticism. Felani’s parents rejected the verdicts terming those injustice.

After the end of director general-level talks between the BGB and the BSF in New Delhi, Pathak said the court could be reconstituted if the family wanted.

Felani, a 15-year-old girl, was shot dead while returning home in Bangladesh along with her father and maternal uncle on January 7, 2011.

She used to work as a housemaid in New Delhi.

Though Felani’s father and uncle had crossed the barbed-wire fence using a ladder, the teenager was shot when her clothes got entangled in the wire.

Her body was left dangling on the barbed wire fence for nearly five hours.

It is alleged that she had been alive for at least four hours after being shot.

Source: Dhaka Tribune