Mohammadpur cat killing: Court defers verdict to 11 March
The case was filed against Akbar Hossain Shiblu, a resident of Muktijoddha Tower in the area, over the killing of a cat.
A Dhaka court has set 11 March as the new date to deliver the verdict in the case filed over the killing of a pet cat in the capital's Mohammadpur area last year.
Today (17 February) was set for the pronouncement of the judgment, but Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir fixed the new date as the verdict was not ready, said the plaintiff's lawyer Zakir Hossain.
The case was filed against Akbar Hossain Shiblu, a resident of Muktijoddha Tower in the area, over the killing of a cat owned by a man named Mansur.
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Earlier, the court formally concluded recording testimonies of four witnesses on 2 December. On 3 February, the court also fixed 17 February to deliver the verdict after both the prosecution and the defence concluded arguments.
Killed intentionally
The case originates from an incident on 1 February last year, when a cat belonging to a resident named Mansur went missing from the ninth floor of Muktijoddha Tower.
The gravity of the situation came to light after CCTV camera footage from the building was reviewed.
The footage reportedly showed the accused, Shiblu, kicking the cat repeatedly in a manner described as "indiscriminate".
According to the case statement, the accused continued to step on the animal even after it had collapsed and become motionless, ensuring its death.
The witness who first discovered the footage informed the owner and the animal rights activists, leading to a formal legal complaint.
The evidence provided by the witnesses and the digital recordings confirmed that the animal was killed intentionally and with significant cruelty.
Procedural history
Nafisa Nawrin Chowdhury filed the case on behalf of People for Animal Welfare on 5 February, 2025.
Following the initial filing, the court recorded the plaintiff's statement and directed the Mohammadpur police to conduct a thorough investigation.
The subsequent police report validated the allegations, confirming the details of the CCTV evidence and witness accounts.
On 14 July 2025, the court framed charges against Shiblu, officially commencing the trial.
