DMCH forms medical board for cartoonist Kishore’s treatment

Dhaka Medical College Hospital, on Tuesday, formed a medical board for the health check-up of cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore who was allegedly tortured in custody last May. 

Earlier in the day, the cartoonist was taken to the hospital, but no tests were conducted. 

Kishore will again be brought to DMCH on Wednesday for his medical check-up, said his brother Ahsan Kabir.

The medical board is headed by Sheikh Nurul Fattah Rumi, head of the ENT department of DMCH. Meanwhile, the other members are Fakhrul Amin Khan, head of the Department of Orthopedics, and Md Hafiz Sardar, head of the Department of Medicine.

The medical board was formed following the directions of the court, DMCH director Brigadier General Nazmul Haque said.

He said that they will complete their duties as per the court order. 

On 10 March, the cartoonist filed a case before the Dhaka Senior Special Judge's Court under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act and described the torture he was subjected to.

Following the case, a Dhaka court, on Sunday, asked the Police Bureau of Investigation to investigate the alleged torture of cartoonist Kishore in custody following his arrest in May 2020.

The court also asked the DMCH authorities to form a three-member medical board to examine the cartoonist's health. 

Ahsan said Kishore is feeling better as the pain in his legs has reduced, but doctors said his ear might need six months to recover after surgery. 

Kishore was released from jail on bail on 4 March, about 10 months after his arrest in a case filed against him and 10 others under the Digital Security Act (DSA) with the capital's Ramna police station in early May 2020 for criticising the government. 

One of his co-accused, writer Mushtaq Ahmed, died in jail on 25 February after he was denied bail for six times in the DSA case.