Cartoonist Kishore's case accepted, PIB asked to investigate

Cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore
File photo

The court has accepted cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore's case filed under the torture and custodial death prevention act and asked the Police Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case.

Dhaka metropolitan session judge KM Imrul Kayesh on Sunday passed the order.

Public prosecutor Taposh Kumar Paul confirmed this to Prothom Alo.

Taposh Kumar Paul said, "The court has asked PIB to investigate the case filed on charges of torturing Ahmed Kabir Kishore. It also ordered that the case be investigated by a police officer of superintendent of police rank and for the report to be submitted by 15 April."

He also said the court has asked the director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to submit a report within 24 hours regarding the time of Kishore's physical injuries. A three-member medical board is to be formed for the purpose.

Cartoonist Kishore on Wednesday filed a petition against unidentified persons for torturing him in an unidentified place after picking him up from his house before showing arrest. The case was filed under the torture and custodial death Prevention Act.

Describing the torture on the day, he said, "Sir, I want justice."

Judge Imrul Kayesh recorded the deposition of Kishore.

In the petition of the case, it was stated on 5 May, Kishore was shown arrested in a case filed with Ramna police station. The case was filed under the Digital Security Act.

About 16-17 plainclothesmen forcefully picked up Kishore from his house at around 5:45pm on 2 May.

Kishore was taken to a solitary place, handcuffed and blindfolded. Kishore was tortured in a damp room till 4 May. At that time, he was shown his cartoons and interrogated about them.

At one stage, a person slapped hard on his ear. He fell off the chair and lost his consciousness. Blood was pouring out from his ear. They also started beating him after a few moments. On 5 May found himself at the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) office. He saw writer Mushtaq Ahmed there.

Kishore told the court that he was sick and pus was oozing out from his ear. He is unable to walk and suddenly lost balance. While he was describing this, a lawyer helped him to stand in the court.

Writer Mushtaq Ahmed was also made accused in the same case. Some eleven people were made accused. Mushtaq Ahmed died in jail on 25 February. After languishing jail for about ten months, Kishore got bail from the higher court on 3 March. He was released from jail on 4 March.

Cartoonist Kishore underwent surgery in his right ear at a private hospital in the capital on Saturday.