A wave of grief and anger is sweeping across Bangladesh after the death of a senior Hindu politician while in state custody—his family accusing authorities of deliberately withholding life-saving medical care.
The incident, which occurred on January 11, 2026, at a detention facility in Dhaka, has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety of religious minorities and the transparency of Bangladesh’s law enforcement system. The deceased, identified as **Rajib Kumar Das**, a 58-year-old local leader affiliated with a regional opposition party, had been arrested two weeks prior on charges related to a land dispute—a case his supporters claim was politically motivated .
According to his family, Das had been complaining of severe chest pain and breathing difficulties for days before his death. Despite repeated pleas to prison officials and even a written request from his lawyer, he was not taken to a hospital or given access to a physician. “They watched him suffer,” his daughter told reporters, her voice breaking. “He begged for help. They just ignored him.”
Table of Contents
- The Hindu Politician Dies in Custody Bangladesh Case
- Family Alleges Systematic Denial of Medical Care
- Bangladesh’s Troubled History of Custodial Deaths
- Minority Communities at Risk
- Domestic and International Reactions
- Conclusion: A Test for Bangladesh’s Rule of Law
- Sources
The Hindu Politician Dies in Custody Bangladesh Case
Rajib Kumar Das, a respected community figure in Narayanganj district, was known for advocating for land rights among Hindu families—a sensitive issue in a country where minority-owned property is often targeted through illegal seizures under the controversial Vested Property Act .
His arrest on December 28, 2025, came after a local Awami League official filed a complaint alleging Das incited violence during a protest. However, no formal charges were ever presented in court, and Das remained in pre-trial detention—an all-too-common practice in Bangladesh, where over 70% of inmates are held without conviction .
On the morning of January 11, guards found Das unresponsive in his cell. He was declared dead on arrival at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The official cause of death was listed as “cardiac arrest,” but without an independent autopsy, many remain skeptical.
Family Alleges Systematic Denial of Medical Care
Das’s family and legal team have provided detailed accounts of their failed attempts to secure medical attention:
- January 5: Das first reported chest pain; jail staff dismissed it as “stress.”
- January 8: His condition worsened; family submitted a formal medical request to the prison superintendent.
- January 10: Lawyer filed an emergency petition with the High Court—still no response from authorities.
- January 11: Das collapsed and died within hours.
“This wasn’t negligence—it was deliberate,” said human rights lawyer Farida Akhter. “When you ignore repeated medical emergencies from a high-profile detainee, especially from a minority community, it sends a chilling message.”
Bangladesh’s Troubled History of Custodial Deaths
This is not an isolated incident. According to Human Rights Watch, Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of custodial deaths in South Asia, with over 120 reported cases in 2025 alone . Many involve allegations of torture, denial of legal access, and medical neglect.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)—an elite anti-crime unit—has been particularly scrutinized. In 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on RAB for “serious human rights abuses,” including extrajudicial killings . While Das was held by regular police, the culture of impunity extends across law enforcement agencies.
Minority Communities at Risk
Bangladesh’s Hindu population—once nearly 22% at independence in 1971—has dwindled to less than 8% today, largely due to migration driven by persecution, land grabbing, and political marginalization .
Incidents like Das’s death deepen fears within this vulnerable community. “We don’t just fear mobs,” said a local Hindu priest who asked to remain anonymous. “We fear the state itself.”
Religious minorities—including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—often face barriers in accessing justice, with cases involving them rarely prosecuted to completion. This latest death could further erode trust in state institutions.
Domestic and International Reactions
The backlash has been swift:
- The **Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance** called for a nationwide protest and demanded the resignation of the Home Minister.
- **Amnesty International** issued an urgent statement urging an “independent, impartial, and transparent investigation” .
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed “deep concern” and requested consular access, though Das was not an Indian citizen.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has promised an internal inquiry but rejected calls for an international probe, calling the matter “purely domestic.”
For more on minority rights in South Asia, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:religious-minorities-south-asia].
Conclusion: A Test for Bangladesh’s Rule of Law
The death of Rajib Kumar Das is more than a tragedy—it’s a litmus test for Bangladesh’s commitment to justice, equality, and human rights. The phrase “Hindu politician dies in custody Bangladesh” should not become a recurring headline. If authorities fail to hold those responsible accountable, it will signal that custodial abuse and systemic discrimination against minorities remain entrenched. The world is watching.
Sources
- Times of India: Bangladesh: Hindu politician dies in custody; family alleges denial of medical care
- Human Rights Watch: Bangladesh: Events of 2025
- U.S. Department of State: 2025 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Bangladesh
- Amnesty International: Bangladesh – Human Rights Concerns
- International Commission of Jurists: Custodial Deaths in Bangladesh: A Pattern of Impunity