Felani’s parents have made all-out efforts to get justice despite their limitations but their wait is yet to end.

Felani Khatun, who used to work as a domestic help in New Delhi, was shot to death by BSF members along Anantapur border point in Kurigram on January 7, 2011, while returning home crossing the barbed-wire fence along with her father.

A total of 1,236 Bangladeshi citizens were killed in two decades by BSF along the border, said a press release.

The photo exhibition of eminent photographer Parvez Ahmed Roni was hosted showcasing border brutalities since 2012.

Felani’s lifeless body dangling in the barbed wire sparked a huge outcry, prompting the BSF to open an investigation into the incident. A charge-sheet was filed against BSF constable Amiya Ghosh who shot the girl.

However, a special court constituted by the BSF acquitted Amiya Ghosh of the charge on August 19, 2013.

Later, in the wake of widespread criticism of the acquittal, BSF decided to revise the murder trial. However, another judicial court upheld the previous verdict and acquitted Amiya Ghosh again on July 2, 2015.

Also read: Felani killing: Long wait for justice yet to end

Following this, Felani's father Nurul Islam with the help of human rights organisation Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (Masum) filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court of India.

Later, an Indian Supreme Court bench, headed by the chief justice, show-caused several bodies concerned, including the Home Ministry, in this regard.

Felani’s father Nur Islam told UNB that he had gone from door to door seeking justice in the last nine years. “The date of the trial proceedings was deferred several times. How will I get justice?” he asked.

The last date of hearing was March 18, 2020, but the hearing did not take place due to Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

Jahanara Begum, mother of Felani, sought the intervention of Dhaka and Delhi for justice.

Also read: Justice eludes Felani’s family

SM Abraham Lincoln, Kurigram Public Prosecutor, said: “Like Bangladesh, India also wants justice in the case but the case lingered due to the delay in taking decisions by the BSF. The case hearing has been deferred several times. Now virtual hearing is taking place due to Covid-19.

“If the authorities concerned take effective measures to hold virtual hearing, then the case will be disposed of soon. Otherwise, the writ petition hearing will be held after the improvement in the Covid-19 situation.”

“I hope Felani’s family will get justice,” he said.