Wasikur Rahman Babu, the former president of the Badda Thana unit of the Chhatra League, has died while in prison custody, officials confirmed on Sunday, 21 December. The announcement was made by Assistant Inspector General of Prisons, Jannat Ul Farhad.
According to the official, Babu was initially arrested in September and transferred to Kashimpur Prison-2 on 27 September. “Following the approval of his remand in an ongoing case, a police team arrived on Sunday afternoon to take him into custody for questioning,” the official explained.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Babu lost consciousness at approximately 4:15 p.m. during the handover to police at the prison gate. He was immediately taken to Tajuddin Medical College Hospital, where medical staff declared him dead. The exact cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Babu also held the position of Youth and Sports Secretary of the Badda Thana Awami League at the time of his death. His political and student career had been marked by significant activity in local politics, particularly through the Chhatra League, the student wing of the party.
A former Chhatra League leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Babu had been arrested earlier on 24 September in Dhaka’s Panthapath area while participating in what was described as a “flash rally.” During that arrest, he was reportedly beaten by civilians before being handed over to the Kalabagan Police Station. The source added that Babu sustained serious injuries at that time and may not have received proper medical attention while in custody.
Authorities are yet to release detailed information regarding the circumstances of his death. Investigations are expected to scrutinise whether standard procedures were followed during both the custody transfer and the medical evaluation process. The incident has raised concerns among political and student circles about detainee safety and the adequacy of medical care in prisons.
Key Details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Wasikur Rahman Babu |
| Former Position | President, Badda Thana Chhatra League |
| Current Position | Youth and Sports Secretary, Badda Thana Awami League |
| Arrest Date | 24 September (Panthapath area) |
| Prison Transfer | 27 September, Kashimpur Prison-2 |
| Time of Death | 4:15 p.m., Sunday 21 December |
| Hospital | Tajuddin Medical College Hospital |
| Cause of Death | Unspecified; occurred during custody handover |
| Prior Injuries | Sustained during arrest; reportedly untreated |
The death of Wasikur Rahman Babu has sparked debate over prisoner welfare and the responsibilities of law enforcement in ensuring the health and safety of individuals in custody, prompting calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.