Fishing cat beaten to death in Ctg, offender fined only Tk2,000

A man has been fined only Tk2,000 by a mobile court after
he tied a fishing cat, locally known as mechho bagh, to an electric pole and
beat it to death in Chattogram's Sandwip on Tuesday (21 April).
The accused, Shahidul Islam, killed
the fishing cat after it allegedly preyed on farm chickens in the area, Upazila
Nirbahi Officer Mongchingnu Marma told The Business Standard.
"He has been fined and warned.
If such an offence is repeated in the future, legal action including
imprisonment will be taken," Marma added.
When asked about the legal provision, he said the maximum fine for such an
offence is Tk20,000.
Forest Department officials and
wildlife conservationists have expressed anger over the lenient punishment.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Conservation Officer Dipanwita Bhattacharjee told TBS that following the
amendment passed in parliament in March 2026, the Wildlife (Conservation and
Security) Act, 2012 has been revised.
She said the revised law now
provides for a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and a fine of up to
Tk3,00,000 for such offences, which is also non-bailable.
"A fine of only Tk2,000 is too lenient for such a serious crime. Such
light punishment cannot curb wildlife killing or ensure protection," she
said.















