Bangladesh Hindu leader, ex-minister Ramesh Chandra Sen dies; questions raised on custody death
India Today
Five-time MP and former minister Ramesh Chandra Sen died on Saturday after falling ill in custody. Bangladeshis are claiming a pattern as the death of Sen, a veteran Hindu leader, was similar to other Awami League politicians. Sen was a mass leader and known for his helpful nature and untainted political career.
One of Bangladesh's top Hindu leaders and former minister Ramesh Chandra Sen died on Saturday after falling critically ill in custody. The death of Sen, known for his helpful nature and untainted political career, has led to renewed questions on the treatment of senior Awami League leaders and former ministers in custody.
Ramesh Chandra Sen was the former Water Resources Minister of Bangladesh and a five-time Member of Parliament (MP), winning his latest election in 2024. He was taken from Dinajpur District Jail to the emergency department of Dinajpur Medical College Hospital at 9.10 am and was pronounced dead at 9:29 am, according to a report in jagonews24.
Sen was 85 and suffering from several ailments. He wasn't being provided the care that a former minister was entitled to, according to people in the know of the jail conditions under the interim set-up of Muhammad Yunus.
He was charged with three counts, including murder, even as rampant allegations of political vendetta against Awami League (AL) leaders became the norm after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime in August 2024. Some of these "ghost cases" in Bangladesh have shocked because of their arbitrariness. The party's political activities have been banned, and it has been barred from the national election in Bangladesh on February 12.
Images of Sen, with his hands tied by ropes used for cattle, being taken to the police in August 2024 emerged on social media. It is said when most AL leaders fled after targeted attacks, Sen stayed put in his house, because of the conviction that he hadn't done anything wrong.
Bangladeshis began sharing the news of Sen's death on Facebook, alleging it to be a "prison murder" and "custodial killing". There have been at least five deaths of top Awami League leaders after they fell ill in custody.
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