Mushtaq’s death in custody: committee formed by home ministry submits report

The committee formed by Home Ministry over the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in jail custody has submitted it report to the ministry this afternoon.

"We have submitted the report around 5:00pm today," Additional Secretary Tarun Kanti Sikder of the Home Ministry, who led the five-member committee, told The Daily Star.

He, however, declined to reveal their finding, saying that the home minster will brief the media in this regard.

Mushtaq Ahmed, who was arrested under the Digital Security Act, died in Kashimpur High-Security Jail-3 in Gazipur on February 25.

Two days later, the ministry formed the committee and asked to investigate Mushtaq's death and submit a report within four working days.

The committee has been asked to investigate whether prisons authorities have negligence in this regard and identify those responsible, if any.

It also looked into whether the authorities were aware about his health issues. If so, they will investigate whether proper treatment was given. If not, the committee will identify the responsible persons.