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Sunday, April 14, 2024

19-year old girl burned to death for reporting sexual harassment

News Desk |

Nusrat Jahan, 19, was burned to death on the orders of her teacher in Dhaka, Bangladesh after she filed a sexual harassment case against him.

The girl had filed the case of harassment in late March against the teacher of seminary; she stated that he had called her into his office and touched her in an inappropriate manner. She reported the incident at local police station where officer registered her complaint but filmed her while saying the whole incident was “no big deal.”

Nusrat suffered burns on 80% of her body. She died on April 10 due to severe burns. But she recorded a video before her death, repeating her allegations against the principal.

Few days later, fellow students of Nusrat Jahan took her to the rooftop of the seminary and forced her to take the decision back. She was threatened to be killed if she refused. Subsequently, when they failed to coerce her, she was set on fire after dousing with kerosene.

The Police have reported that 17 people involved in the incident were arrested have stated that the teacher ordered for attacking her.

The teacher “told them to put pressure on Rafi to withdraw the case or kill her if she refused”, senior police superintendent Mohammad Iqbal, who is leading the investigation told to the international news agency.

Read more: Sexual harassment: A true picture

The investigator of the case stated that the plan was to show the incident as a case of suicide, however, Nusrat ran downstairs in the fire. Before setting up on the fire her hands were tied up with the scarf that burnt with fire and set her hands and feet free.

Nusrat suffered burns on 80% of her body. She died on April 10 due to severe burns. But she recorded a video before her death, repeating her allegations against the principal.

“The teacher touched me, I will fight this crime till my last breath,” she said. She also identified some of her attackers.

Read more: Not so “Sacred Games”: Series creator accused of harassment

Her death sparked countrywide protests that prompted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister to promise the strict action against all those involved in the heinous incident.