Bangladesh Awami League's Hindu Leader Arrested In Student Protest Dies In Police Custody

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 15:53 IST

Prolay Chaki, Awami League’s Pabna cultural secretary, died in prison after a heart attack. His death highlights ongoing concerns over custodial deaths.

Prolay Chaki, Awami League’s Pabna cultural secretary, died in prison after a heart attack. His death highlights ongoing concerns over custodial deaths. (Pic: X @AA0FAISAL)

Prolay Chaki, a musician and the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League’s Pabna district unit, died in prison on Sunday night after reportedly suffering a heart attack. Officials said he passed away at around 9:15 pm on January 11.

Chaki had been arrested in connection with a case linked to an alleged attack on the anti-discrimination student movement. Supporters of the Awami League have claimed that the charges against him were false.

His death has once again drawn attention to concerns over the safety of Hindus and political detainees, as it marks another instance of an Awami League activist dying while in police custody. Party members and supporters allege that several leaders and activists have been arrested on fabricated charges and subjected to custodial abuse.

According to claims made by Awami League supporters, 41 party leaders and activists had died in police custody as of January 3, with Chaki’s death adding to that figure. They allege that such deaths have been occurring repeatedly, often on a monthly basis.

The party has also alleged that these incidents have received limited scrutiny from human rights organisations and has accused the current administration under Muhammad Yunus of failing to prevent custodial deaths. Authorities, however, have not publicly responded to these allegations.

News world Bangladesh Awami League's Hindu Leader Arrested In Student Protest Dies In Police Custody

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