Seven years after the brutal murder of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi, the High Court has yet to complete the hearing of the death reference and appeals of 16 convicts sentenced to death. Although the trial court delivered its verdict in just 61 working days in October 2019, the final judicial process remains stalled. The case documents were sent to the High Court in October 2019, but repeated bench changes and procedural delays have prevented completion of the hearing.

In December 2024, a new bench began hearing the case, completing arguments for seven convicts before proceedings were again interrupted. In June 2026, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury formed a special bench to expedite death reference cases, including Nusrat’s. The case is currently listed for hearing, but lawyers cannot confirm when it will resume.

Nusrat’s family continues to live under police protection and expresses frustration over the prolonged delay. Prosecutors warn that such delays could embolden offenders, urging swift completion and execution of the verdict to ensure justice.