Felani’s father rejects the BSF court’s decision to absolve the BGB trooper from murder charges

Father Nurul Islam Nuru is furious at BSF trooper Amiya Ghose being exonerated in the retrial from the charges of murdering his teenage daughter Felani Khatun.

He told bdnews24.com on Friday morning: “The Indian government made a mockery of us in the name of trials.”

The BSF has not formally announced the Indian General Security Forces Court's verdict upholding the previous inquiry court verdict as it needs clearance of its director general.

But BSF sources and counsel for 15-year old Felani’s family told bdnews24.com that the GFSC had found Ghose not guilty after extensive deliberations on Thursday night.

“I reject this verdict. Amiya Ghose should have hanged.”

Nuru, who hails from Banar Bhita village of South Ramkhana Union under Kurhigram’s Nageshwari Upazila, lived in Delhi for 10 years. Felani also stayed with him.

When they were trying to cross back from India after her marriage was settled in Bangladesh, her clothing got caught in the barbwire fence and BSF shot her dead when she screamed in terror.

Her dead body was left hanging on the border fence for several hours in January 2011 and caused a huge furore after photos of her in that state was published in the media.

In face of pressure from the Bangladesh government, rights organisations and international community, India opened investigations against the BSF for the killing.

On June 6, 2013, the initial court of inquiry had acquitted Ghose of the murder charges, finding him not guilty.

The verdict drew widespread criticism and the BSF director general ordered a fresh look at the case in September last year.

Felani’s father went to India’s Cooch Behar twice to testify in the trials. “I will again appeal for proper trial,” he told bdnews24.com.

Kurhigram Judges Court Public Prosecutor Abraham Lincoln, who provided legal assistance to Felani’s family, told bdnews24.com: “This verdict raised questions about India’s judicial system.

“This verdict will embolden BSF about border killings. This would create a crisis in border management.”

He also commented that the verdict contradicted the concepts of human rights and justice.

Kurhigram BGB Director Lt Col Zakir Hossain declined comment on the issue. “We did not officially get the verdict yet. When we do, senior authorities will decide.”

West Bengal's human rights group MASUM, which had closely followed the trial, has rubbished the GFSC verdict.

Its chief Kirity Roy has described the verdict as 'pre-meditated' and said the BSF had decided to protect their trooper at any cost.