Home ministry forms 5-member probe body over Mushtaq’s death

The ministry of home affairs has formed a five-member probe committee to investigate the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in Kashimpur High Security jail.

"The committee will look into if there was any negligence by the prison authorities regarding the death of the writer," read a notification issued by the security service division of the ministry. If any negligence is found, the committee has been directed to identify those responsible.

It also asked the committee to find out whether the prison authorities were aware of any physical complications of the writer after his arrival in the jail. As well as whether they took any steps to provide him treatment accordingly. If not, the committee will identify those who are responsible for the negligence.

The committee is comprised of: a convenor, Dr Tarun Kanti Sikder, additional secretary at security service division; three members, Gazipur Additional District Magistrate Abul Kalam, Mymensingh Prison Deputy General Inspector Md Jahangir Kabir, and Gazipur district prison's Assistant Surgeon Dr Kamrun Nahar; as well as a member secretary, Security Service Division's Deputy Secretary Arif Ahmed.

They have been given four working days to submit a report.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore and writer Mushtaq Ahmed in Kakrail and Lalmatia on 5 May, 2020 under the Digital Security Act for posting anti-government posts on Facebook.

On 5 May, RAB-3 warrant officer Abu Bakar Siddique filed the case with Ramna Police Station against 11 people, including cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore.

The case statement read that the accused published various posts conveying misinformation and rumours on the Facebook page called "I am Bangladeshi" – to tarnish the image or reputation of the state, spread confusion, or degrade the law and order situation in the country.

Although two people were released on bail in that case, the bail applications of Mushtaq and Kishore were rejected six times.