Man sentenced to 6 months in jail for killing cat in Mohammadpur

A court has sentenced Akbar Hossain Shiblue to six months imprisonment in a case filed over the killing of a pet cat in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. He was also fined Tk 10,000, and ordered to serve an additional month of simple imprisonment in default of paying the fine.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Al-Biruni Mir pronounced the verdict on Wednesday, March 11. However, the accused was not present in court at the time of sentencing. Consequently, the court issued a conviction warrant along with an arrest warrant against him. Plaintiff's lawyer Zakir Hossain confirmed the matter.

Earlier, on February 3, after both sides concluded presenting their arguments, the verdict was scheduled for February 17. Later, the date was postponed to today.

The plaintiff's lawyer informed that witness testimony in the case was formally concluded on December 2, with the court recording statements from four witnesses.

According to the case allegations, on the afternoon of February 1 last year, a pet cat belonging to a man named Mansur went missing from the 9th floor of Muktijoddha Tower in Mohammadpur. Later, CCTV footage showed the accused, Akbar Hossain Shiblue, kicking the cat like a football. Even after the cat lay motionless from the kick, he pressed it with his foot, ensuring its death.

Following the incident, Nafisa Nowrin Chowdhury filed a case on behalf of the People for Animal Welfare Foundation Bangladesh at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on February 5, 2025. On that day, the court recorded the complainant's statement and ordered Mohammadpur Thana police to investigate and submit a report.

Subsequently, after completing the investigation, police submitted a report to the court against Akbar Hossain Shiblue. On July 14 last year, the court framed charges against him and ordered the trial to commence. After a lengthy trial process, the verdict in this case was delivered today.