ASK has demanded an immediate, impartial inquiry into the process of their arrest, torture and the cause of death of Mushtaq Ahmed through a judicial committee,
They published a press release with a five-point demand in this regard on Wednesday.
The committee set up to investigate the cause of death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in custody referred to the death as natural. The autopsy cited heart disease as the cause of death.
On the other hand, cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, who was released on bail after 10 months in jail, said he was brutally tortured after his arrest.
He also said that Mushtaq Ahmed had been tortured, which has already been reported in media.
Despite the authorities' denial of the Kishore’s allegations, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has yet to see any effective action from the government to investigate such serious allegations, read the press release.
The death of Mushtaq Ahmed while incarcerated in the High Security Unit of Kashimpur Jail on charges of violating the much talked-about Digital Security Act has raised concerns and fears in many.
Human rights organizations and civil society have called for a fair and impartial investigation into the incident.
Although the autopsy and the government's investigation report blamed heart disease as the cause of death, a different picture is found in Kishore's description, which coincides with everyone's fears.
Although they denied the allegations of torture by the concerned forces and dismissed them as statements of aggression, the issue has created fear, apprehension, distrust towards the concerned forces and discredited the country abroad.
In addition, the law stipulates that the investigation must be completed within 105 days after arrest and the chargesheet must be submitted, but the investigators have not been able to do so.
The charges were filed eight months after the arrest. ASK strongly believes that the human rights of Mushtaq Ahmed and Kishore Kabir have been seriously violated in the whole process.
The five-point demand
1. Ensure a judicial inquiry into the death of Mushtaq Ahmed in state custody immediately
2. Identify those responsible for the mental anguish or torture that Mushtaq Ahmed had to go through and bring them under the relevant law
3. A judicial inquiry committee should be formed to look into the allegations of torture on Kishore and ensure an investigation
4. To make publicly reveal the results or report of the Judicial Committee investigation;
5. To amend the Digital Security Act on an urgent basis after consultation with all parties concerned, as well as not arresting anyone under this law until it is amended
