Bangladesh Awami League Hindu leader Pralay Chaki dies in police custody, family alleges medical negligence

Dhaka : Pralay Chaki, a senior Awami League leader and Hindu community figure in Bangladesh, has died while in police custody, triggering allegations of medical negligence by jail authorities and renewing concerns over the safety of minorities in the country. Chaki, 60, was in custody in connection with a case linked to last year’s violence and died while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, according to reports in Bangladeshi daily The Daily Star.

Pralay Chaki was a well-known cultural activist and singer and served as the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League’s Pabna district unit. He was also associated with the Sri Sri Ram Krishna Seva Ashram in Pabna as its secretary and was regarded as an influential figure within the Hindu community.

Confirming the death, Pabna district jail superintendent Md Omar Faruk said Chaki had been suffering from multiple health issues, including diabetes and heart disease. Due to his deteriorating condition, he was first referred by jail doctors to Pabna Sadar Hospital. As his health worsened, he was later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Friday night. He passed away on Sunday night after 9 pm while under treatment, Faruk said.

However, Chaki’s family has strongly contested the official version, alleging that jail authorities failed to provide timely and adequate medical care. His son, Sony Chaki, claimed that his father’s health condition was known, but despite repeated complaints, proper treatment was delayed. “My father had long-standing diabetes and heart ailments. His condition worsened in jail, but the authorities did not inform us officially. We came to know about his hospitalisation only through others,” he alleged.

Sony Chaki further claimed that when the family reached the hospital, Pralay Chaki was already in critical condition and did not receive the necessary medical attention in time, which ultimately led to his death. He also alleged that although his father was initially not named in any case, he was later shown as an accused in an explosives-related case linked to the August 4 violence.

Rejecting the allegations, jail superintendent Omar Faruk said Chaki was provided medicines as per his medical records and that all procedures were followed. “As soon as his condition became serious, he was referred to hospitals outside the jail. There was no negligence,” he maintained.

The death has sparked outrage among political and minority groups, who see it as part of a broader pattern of alleged targeting of minorities and opposition figures in recent months. Over the past few months, Bangladesh has witnessed a series of violent incidents allegedly aimed at minority communities, particularly Hindus, raising international concern.

Rights activists have called for an independent probe into Pralay Chaki’s death, demanding transparency and accountability. They argue that custodial deaths, especially involving political and minority leaders, undermine public trust in law enforcement and judicial institutions.

As demands for a thorough investigation grow louder, the incident has once again brought the issue of minority rights and custodial accountability in Bangladesh into sharp focus.