Comilla, Apr 22 (V7N)- A Comilla court has issued a show cause notice to District Civil Surgeon Dr. Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmed for failing to satisfactorily clarify matters related to a mental health report in a child murder case.

The order was passed by Judge Farida Yasmin of Comilla Additional District and Sessions Judge Court No. 5 on Monday (April 21), following a hearing where the court expressed dissatisfaction with the testimony provided by a key medical officer involved in the case.

The case involves the death of two-year-old Umme Sabiha Islam, daughter of Sajeda Akhter Fatima from Sholanal in Burichang. On October 30, 2023, Sabiha was found dead at the home of Aklima Akhter (22), a local woman who used to take the child to play with her own daughter.

Following the incident, Sajeda filed a case the next day, alleging that Aklima had deliberately taken her daughter and killed her. Locals detained Aklima on the spot. She later gave a statement under Section 164, confessing and providing details of the incident.

After a lengthy investigation, Burichang Police SI Nurul Islam submitted a report on June 30, 2024, naming Aklima Akhter as the sole accused. However, her legal team claimed that Aklima was mentally unstable and urged the court to acquit her on that basis.

On February 12, 2025, the court directed the Comilla Civil Surgeon’s Office to assess Aklima’s mental condition. A three-member committee was formed, comprising:

  • Dr. Faria Zafarin Ansari, Medical Officer at the Civil Surgeon’s Office

  • Dr. Md. Shahedul Islam, Head of Psychiatry at Comilla Medical College Hospital

  • Civil Surgeon Dr. Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmed

The committee submitted its report on March 3, and the court summoned a representative for explanation. Dr. Faria Zafarin Ansari appeared in court on April 21 and provided her testimony, but the court found her explanation unsatisfactory and subsequently issued a show cause notice to Civil Surgeon Dr. Bashir Ahmed.

Despite efforts to reach him for comment, Dr. Bashir Ahmed did not respond.

The case continues to draw public attention, particularly regarding mental health assessments in criminal cases and the accountability of public health officials in sensitive judicial matters.

END/MSS/AJ