Hindu singer dies in Bangladeshi jail due to denial of adequate medical treatment

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Even as reports of killings of Hindus continue to emerge from Bangladesh, another disturbing incident has come to light. Prolay Chaki, a Hindu singer, died while in judicial custody after allegedly being denied timely and adequate medical treatment. Chaki passed away on the night of 11 January at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Chaki was lodged in Pabna District Jail. After he suffered a heart attack, he was admitted to hospital on 9 January. Initially, he was taken to Pabna General Hospital and was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. His family has alleged gross medical negligence, stating that delays and lack of proper treatment ultimately led to his death.

Prolay Chaki was the district-level Cultural Secretary of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. He was arrested from his residence on 16 December 2025.

🚨 Bangladesh: Hindu Singer Dies in Jail

Hindu singer Prolay Chaki died in custody due to lack of medical treatment.

He was the district Cultural Secretary of Awami League and was lodged in Pabna District Jail.

Another chilling example of the targeted persecution of Hindus in… pic.twitter.com/2khgBqxk7x

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 12, 2026

Jail superintendent rejects allegations

Pabna District Jail Superintendent Mohammad Omar Faruk dismissed the allegations, claiming that Chaki had been suffering from several pre-existent ailments, including diabetes. He stated that medical procedures were initiated immediately after Chaki’s health deteriorated and that there was no delay in providing treatment.

However, Chaki’s son and noted music director, Sani Chaki, refuted these claims. He alleged, when his father was taken to Pabna General Hospital, the facility lacked the necessary infrastructure for cardiac care. Despite this, he was kept there, then sent back to jail, and only later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. This led to a critically worsening of his father’s condition.

107 Custodial deaths in Bangladeshi prisons in 2025

According to the human rights organisation ‘Ain o Salish Kendra’, a total of 107 inmates died in prisons across Bangladesh in 2025. These included 69 undertrial prisoners and 38 convicted inmates. In comparison, 65 custodial deaths were reported in 2024, indicating a sharp rise in prison deaths.