Ex-Swechchhasebak League leader dies in hospital falling ill in jail

Former joint convener of the Katiadi upazila unit of the now-banned Awami Swechchhasebak League Khairul Amin Ruhul Sarkar, 50, died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka after fallingl ill in Kishoreganj District Jail.

He died at around 2:00 AM on Sunday at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital, his elder brother Nurul Amin confirmed.

Khairul was the son of late Osman Gani of Dashpakhi village in Lohajuri union of Katiadi upazila. He was also a former assistant law affairs secretary of the Central Deed Writers Association and former organising secretary of the Katiadi Deed Writers Association.

According to his family, Khairul had occasionally suffered from chest pain and had been ill for several days while in jail. His health deteriorated over the past two days, and the family alleged that he did not receive necessary treatment and medicines in time.

Nurul Amin said Khairul was taken to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital in Kishoreganj on Saturday after his condition worsened. The family alleged that several hours were lost due to legal complications. He was later taken to Dhaka as his condition deteriorated further.

Nurul Amin said, “My brother could have been saved if he had received timely treatment and necessary medicines.”

He said Khairul had been inactive in politics for the past seven to eight years and was arrested after returning home from performing Umrah recently.

Khairul returned to Bangladesh after performing Umrah earlier this month. Police arrested him from Katiadi on September 8 and produced him before a court in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He was subsequently sent to jail.

However, Kishoreganj District Jail Jailer Nashir Ahmed said the authorities were not aware of any pre-existing illness. He said Khairul developed severe breathing difficulties while in jail and was first sent to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital.

As his condition deteriorated, he was sent to Dhaka under police arrangements and later died while undergoing treatment, Nashir Ahmed said.

Responding to the family's allegation of delayed treatment and lack of necessary medicines, the jail authorities said arrangements were made to send Khairul to hospital promptly after he developed breathing difficulties.

sks