Custodial Death of Bangladesh Ex-Minister Ramesh Ch Sen Triggers Allegations of Political Vendetta.

Popular Hindu Leader and Bangladesh Ex-Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen Dies After Falling Ill in Custody; Allegations of Custodial Neglect Emerge.

Archan Das | HENB | Dhaka | Feb 7, 2026:: : Ramesh Chandra Sen, a senior Awami League leader, former cabinet minister, and one of Bangladesh’s most prominent Hindu politicians, died on Saturday after being taken ill while in custody, prompting a wave of allegations and renewed scrutiny of the treatment of political detainees under the country’s interim administration.

Sen, 85, a five-time Member of Parliament and former Minister for Water Resources, was shifted from Dinajpur District Jail to the emergency department of Dinajpur Medical College Hospital at around 9:10 am. He was declared dead at 9:29 am, according to local media reports. His death has intensified concerns among supporters and rights advocates, who allege inadequate medical care and political targeting of senior Awami League figures since the change of regime in August 2024.

Health Concerns and Custodial Care

Those familiar with Sen’s condition said he had been suffering from multiple age-related ailments and required consistent medical supervision. Critics allege that such care was not adequately provided during his incarceration, a claim that has fueled public anger and suspicion. Authorities have not issued a detailed medical bulletin explaining the circumstances leading to his death.

Sen had been facing three criminal cases, including a murder charge—allegations that his party and supporters describe as politically motivated. Since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, numerous Awami League leaders have been arrested, while the party’s political activities have been banned and it has been barred from participating in the national elections scheduled for February 12.

Public Outcry and Allegations

News of Sen’s death spread rapidly on social media, with many Bangladeshis describing it as a “custodial killing” rather than a natural death. Several posts compared his passing to at least four other reported deaths of senior Awami League figures who fell ill while in custody in recent months.

Dhaka-based commentator Prodip Kumar Choudhury wrote on Facebook that Sen’s death would be portrayed as illness-related but should instead be seen as part of a broader pattern of political repression since August 2024. Similar sentiments were echoed by activists and commentators who accused the interim administration of denying medical care to elderly detainees.

Photographs that surfaced last year showing Sen being taken into police custody with his hands tied by rope had already sparked outrage. Supporters say that while many party leaders fled amid attacks and arrests, Sen chose to remain at his residence, convinced that he had committed no wrongdoing.

A Veteran Politician

Ramesh Chandra Sen was born on April 30, 1940, and studied at Rangpur Carmichael College. He entered Parliament through a by-election in 1997 from the Thakurgaon-1 constituency and went on to represent the seat multiple times, including in the 2024 general election. From 2009 to 2014, he served as a minister in the Awami League government and was later a member of the party’s presidium.

Known for his mass appeal, Sen built his political career in a constituency that also featured heavyweight rivals from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, now the BNP’s secretary general. Colleagues and constituents often described Sen as approachable, generous, and personally untainted by corruption allegations.

Following the political upheaval of August 2024, Sen’s properties were reportedly targeted amid widespread unrest. He was arrested from his home on the night of August 16 and sent to Dinajpur District Jail the next day.

Funeral and Wider Implications

Bangladesh media reports suggest that Sen’s body will be handed over to his family, though concerns remain over whether his relatives—many of whom are reportedly in hiding due to security fears—will be able to conduct his last rites safely.

Sen’s death has reignited debate over alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh and raised questions about whether influential figures from the previous Awami League administration are being systematically sidelined or eliminated from public life. As calls grow for an independent inquiry, the case is likely to add to international attention on the country’s political and human rights situation during its ongoing transition.

Fear for Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu

Sen’s death in custody has also intensified anxiety over the safety of other jailed Hindu leaders, particularly Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a prominent Hindu religious figure and spokesperson of the Sammilito Hindu Jagaran Jote. Supporters say fears for his fate have grown sharply in the wake of Sen’s passing. Chinmoy Prabhu is currently lodged in a Bangladesh jail after being booked in what his followers describe as a false sedition case. They point out that he, too, suffers from multiple health complications, including liver-related ailments, and requires regular medical care. Allegations of political vendetta under the Yunus-led interim regime have further deepened concerns, with supporters warning that the treatment meted out to detained Hindu leaders reflects a pattern of neglect and reprisal. The safety and well-being of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu have now emerged as a major concern for his followers and the wider Hindu community.
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_Agency Inputs.