Hearing on Mohammadpur pet cat killing case set for 12 January
The case was filed against Akbar Hossain Shiblu, a resident of the Muktijoddha Tower in the same neighbourhood, who is accused of killing the cat belonging to Monsur Hasan.
A Dhaka court has fixed 12 January for the next hearing in a case filed over the killing of a pet cat belonging to a resident of the capital's Mohammadpur area.
The case was filed against Akbar Hossain Shiblu, a resident of the Muktijoddha Tower in the same neighbourhood, who is accused of killing the cat belonging to Monsur Hasan.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ashraful Haque has set the new date.
Confirming the development, the complainant's lawyer Jakir Hossain said, "The court recorded the statement of witness Ejaz Hossain Marwan today. Testimony in the case has now been completed. Four witnesses have so far testified."
"Following Ejaz's deposition, defence lawyers completed his cross-examination. The court then set 12 January for the accused to present his self-defence statement," he added.
The lawyer further said if the charges are proven, the accused faces up to two years in jail under Section 428 of the Penal Code. He demanded the highest punishment for the accused.
On 5 February, Nafisa Nowreen Chowdhury filed the case with the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on behalf of People for Animal Welfare.
The court recorded her statement the same day and instructed Mohammadpur Police Station to investigate and submit a report.
Later, police submitted a report saying their investigation found evidence supporting the allegations against Akbar Hossain
On 14 July, the court framed charges against the accused and ordered the trial.
According to the case statement, the incident occurred on 1 February at noon, when the cat belonging to Monsur, who lived on the 9th floor of Muktijoddha Tower, went missing.
CCTV footage from the building later showed the accused, Shiblu, repeatedly kicking the cat. Even after the cat's body fell to the ground, he continued kicking it.
The statement further said a witness immediately informed the cat owner Monsur, who then prepared to file the case.
The complainant had also sought an arrest warrant against the accused in the case.
