Bogura Jail Inmate Dies Amid Legal Custody

A senior Awami League (AL) leader, Shahnur Alam Shanto, has passed away while in custody at Bogura District Jail, authorities confirmed. Shanto, aged 60, died on Friday night (13 March) at Dhaka’s National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, where he had been receiving treatment for heart-related complications. He served as the vice-president of the Hatshepur Union unit of the Awami League.

Nurul Mubin, the jail superintendent of Bogura, verified Shanto’s death, noting that he had been transferred to Dhaka’s Keraniganj Jail on 17 January before being admitted to the hospital due to cardiac issues. His body was later sent to Suhrawardy Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Background and Incident

Shanto, a native of Nijbolail village in Hatshepur Union, Sariakandi Upazila, Bogura, was the son of the late Sekendar Ali Pramanik. In 2018, he lost his right leg in a road accident and had since been using an artificial limb. Following 5 August 2024, Shanto went into self-concealment due to legal pressures.

On 4 January 2026, he was reportedly visiting his wife at a beauty parlour near Naruli Agricultural Farm in Bogura city when local BNP-affiliated activists identified him, detained him, and allegedly assaulted him. Police, responding to an emergency call, rescued Shanto and took him to the Sadar police station. On the same day, he was formally arrested under a sabotage and attempted murder case filed by Suraiya Jarin Roni, joint secretary of the Bogura District Women’s League, and remanded to Bogura District Jail.

Previous Deaths of AL Leaders in Bogura Jail

Shanto’s death marks the sixth instance of an Awami League leader dying in custody at Bogura. Previous victims include:

Family and Community Reaction

Shanto’s younger brother, Faruk Mia, shared that his only niece is currently studying in the eighth grade at Bogura Biam Model School and College. His passing has cast a pall of grief over the family and local community. Arrangements are being made to receive his body from Keraniganj Jail authorities in Dhaka.

Investigating officer SI Amit Hasan Mahmud of Bogura Sadar Police Station noted that Shanto had a prosthetic leg reinforced with a rod. During the 4 January incident, he was recognised by locals who detained and assaulted him until police intervened. Following higher authorities’ directives, he was arrested under the charges submitted by Suraiya Jarin Roni and sent to jail.

Shanto’s death highlights ongoing concerns over the treatment and welfare of detainees within local correctional facilities and has intensified scrutiny on custodial conditions in the district.