Senior Hindu Awami League leader dies in prison in Bangladesh

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Senior Awami League leader Ramesh Chandra Sen, a close associate of Sheikh Hasina, died in Dinajpur District Jail in Bangladesh. Ramesh Chandra Sen, aged 83, was considered one of Sheikh Hasina’s trusted aides and had been lodged in prison since the end of her tenure.

According to prison authorities, his health suddenly deteriorated on the morning of February 7th. He was immediately shifted to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at around 9:30 a.m. Dinajpur Jail Superintendent Farhad Sarkar stated that the body would be handed over to the family after completing all legal formalities.

Ramesh Chandra Sen, a veteran Hindu leader of the Awami League, has passed away in prison. 🚩

​The Awami League blames a lack of proper medical care.

With 107 custodial deaths reported in 2025, questions regarding prisoner safety are rising. ⚠️

​#CustodialDeath… https://t.co/yQ5gqX7ajy pic.twitter.com/GVjEsQ5jAG

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 8, 2026

Death caused due to lack of proper medical treatment in prison – Awami League alleges

Awami League Central Organising Secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel alleged that Ramesh Chandra Sen had served as a Member of Parliament 5 times and was also a former minister. Despite being elderly and unwell, he was arrested in chains. He was denied proper medical treatment while in custody, which directly led to his death, Nadel claimed. He demanded answers from interim government head Muhammad Yunus over the incident.

Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain also made serious allegations. He stated that Sen was kept in prison without any concrete charges and was denied bail. Even basic medical care and fundamental human rights were not provided. He added that Sen’s health continued to deteriorate as he was kept in jail for 1.5 years without the commencement of trial.

107 deaths in police custody in 2025

According to data released by the human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 107 people died in custody in Bangladesh in 2025. A majority of these were leaders and workers of the Awami League. In most cases, the cause of death was officially recorded as cardiac arrest or sudden illness; however, it has been alleged that no case has undergone a thorough and independent investigation.