Bangladesh
Mushtaq Ahmed No committee found anything "unusual" in the investigation into Mushtaq's death
Dhaka, March 5: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said that the investigation report of the Home Ministry, Gazipur district administration and jail authorities on the death of imprisoned writer Mushtaq Ahmed in a case under the Digital Security Act did not find anything "unusual".
Responding to a question from reporters at his office on Thursday afternoon, he said: "This is the opinion of all the committees - the video footage, the number of people in his room and the opinion of all the doctors on duty at the prison and when he was taken to the hospital. . This is not an unusual death."
The cause of death will be understood after receiving the autopsy report, the minister said.
"People in Mushtaq's room said he lost consciousness after going to the toilet that day and then the prison doctor treated him as usual. He was also taken to Tajuddin Medical College for better treatment.”
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said in response to a question that the autopsy report has not come yet.
"The inquest report states that no signs of injuries were found on the body. And the initial opinion of the postmortem doctors is not a written opinion, it is in this report."
Mushtaq was charged under the Digital Security Act after he was arrested from his Lalmatia home on May 6 last year amid a coronavirus crisis.
When a charge sheet was filed later, he was also made an accused there. Mushtaq did not get bail even after applying several times in the last ten months.
Mushtaq, 53, died at the Kashimpur High Security Jail in Gazipur on the night of February 25. However, many are skeptical as there is no clear statement from the authorities on how he died. The next day, after an inquest and autopsy, Mushtaq's body was handed over to his family. The jail authorities filed an unnatural death case with Gazipur Sadar Police Station.
In the face of criticism, the Gazipur deputy commissioner formed a two-member investigation committee. The Home Ministry formed a five-member investigation committee. The reports of the two committees were submitted to the ministry on Wednesday.
Asked if there were any recommendations in the investigation report, the Home Minister said, "They have given me the summary. If there are any shortcomings, any difficulties, then there are recommendations. I have not yet received any recommendations in this regard."
