Ramesh Chandra Sen, an 85-year-old senior Hindu leader and former Minister of Water Resources in Bangladesh, died in custody on Saturday, raising serious questions regarding the circumstances of his death. Sen, who had been unwell for some time, was transferred from Dinajpur District Jail to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital's emergency department, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. He was a prominent member of the Awami League and had been elected to parliament five times, notably securing a victory in the 2024 elections. His death has triggered concerns about the treatment of political figures in custody, especially given his recent legal troubles that included charges of murder among others.

The timing of Sen's death is particularly suspicious, as political analysts attribute it to retaliatory measures from the Sheikh Hasina government following its decline. The emergence of multiple cases against Awami League leaders has raised fears of political vendetta, with many referring to these cases as 'ghost cases' — a term used to describe potentially fabricated legal actions against political opponents. Ramesh Chandra Sen's recent arrest in August 2024 was marked by troubling images that circulated on social media, showing him with his hands bound, suggesting a disregard for his well-being and rights while under state custody.

In light of these developments, there is growing concern about the treatment of political prisoners in Bangladesh and the implications of increasing autocratic governance under Sheikh Hasina's regime. Many Awami League leaders have fled the country amid fears of persecution, highlighting a broader climate of fear and repression that continues to affect political discourse and human rights in Bangladesh. Sen's death not only raises alarms about custodial deaths but also reflects on the dire state of political freedom and judicial integrity in the country, posing significant questions for both local and international observers regarding the future of democracy in Bangladesh.