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 one year’s imprisonment and a fine of up to Tk50,000 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.
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