BSF court clears trooper of felony killing

While upholding its previous verdict, a special BSF court has acquitted a trooper who was accused of shooting dead a minor Bangladeshi girl while she was crossing the border illegally, an officer said on Friday.

"The court in its verdict on Thursday night acquitted constable Amiya Ghosh after founding him not guilty," said a BSF officer.

"The verdict however is subject to approval by an additional director general rank officer," the officer added.

Felani Khatun, 15, was shot at on January 7, 2011, allegedly by Ghosh while crossing over to Bangladesh at the international border checkpoint at Chaudharihat in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district.

Ghosh was charged with culpable homicide and the BSF launched a General Security Force Court (GSFC) trial against him which, on September 6, 2013, found him not guilty following "inconclusive and insufficient" evidence against him.

Not agreeing with the court's findings, the BSF higher authorities subsequently ordered a revision trial.

Describing the verdict as a farce, a West Bengal-based human rights group said it was mulling to approach the Supreme Court.

"Ghosh acquittal was a foregone conclusion, this revision trial was also an eyewash. We are in touch with Felani's father and collecting necessary documents to ensure justice. Unless the matter is taken to a court, preferably, the Supreme Court, nothing will happen," Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), a rights organisation, chief Kiriti Roy said.