Medical board prescribes tests for Kishore

After examining cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore's health condition, medical board members of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have suggested tests for his eyes and ears, as well as for other problems related to diabetes, Kishore's elder brother writer Ahsan Kabir told The Daily Star.

"The head of the medical board called yesterday (Wednesday) and asked us to go to DMCH principal's room around 10am today (yesterday). They gave some tests after examining Kishore's health," Ahsan Kabir said.

"We returned from the hospital around 1pm as it was crowded," he said, adding that the tests were postponed till either Saturday or Sunday.

"We have learned that since the court gave 24 hours to submit the probe report on Kishore's health, the medical board will apply for a time extension," Kabir added.

DMCH Director Brig Gen Md Nazmul Haque told reporters that medical board members have examined Kishore's health and that the report will be submitted to the court as soon as possible.

On March 16, the medical authorities formed the board as per HC directions issued through a letter on March 14. The HC also asked the director of DMCH to form a three-member medical board to examine the torture that Kishore suffered in custody from May 2 to May 4 last year.

On March 10, Kishore filed a case under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act-2013, seeking redress. He did not mention names of any law enforcement agency or officials. However, he chose to file charges against a group of unidentified people.

Kishore, who was prosecuted under the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA), languished in jail for around 10 months. He got out on bail on March 4. After his release, he revealed to the media how he was brutally tortured before he was arrested on paper for the case.