Dhaka: Veteran Bangladesh politician and senior Awami League leader Ramesh Chandra Sen died in custody at Dinajpur District Jail on Saturday morning, triggering sharp criticism over the treatment of detained political leaders and renewing concerns about custodial deaths in the country.

Jail authorities said Sen, 83, fell ill inside the prison and was rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead at around 9:29 am. His body will be handed over to family members after legal formalities are completed, officials confirmed.

Sen had been in custody since August 16, 2024, after being arrested by Thakurgaon police. He was later shifted to Dinajpur jail and was facing three cases, including a murder charge linked to political violence following unrest after the mass uprising against the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

His death comes just days ahead of Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for February 12, 2026, and has intensified scrutiny of prison conditions and medical care for detainees, especially political prisoners. Opposition leaders and rights groups have accused authorities of custodial neglect, calling for an independent probe.

Who was Ramesh Chandra Sen?

Born on April 30, 1940, in Ruhia Union of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, Sen was a seasoned politician who represented the Thakurgaon-1 constituency multiple times in the Jatiya Sangsad. He served as Bangladesh’s Minister of Water Resources and was a presidium member of the Awami League.

He had won his parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election before the Awami League was later barred from political activity under the current interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Sen’s death in jail adds to growing concerns over the treatment of detained figures.