Shamikul Islam Sarkar, 55, President of the Palashbari Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Awami League and Vice Principal of Palashbari Women’s Degree College, has died while in custody after allegedly being denied release despite obtaining bail from the High Court on six occasions.
He passed away early Sunday (February 15) while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. He was a resident of Bairi Harinmari village under Palashbari municipality in Gaibandha.
Arrest and Allegations of Repeated Re-Arrest
According to family sources, Sarkar was arrested by Detective Branch (DB) police on December 8, 2024, from Dhaka’s Moghbazar area. He was later shown arrested in a case filed with Palashbari Police Station and sent to Gaibandha District Jail.
Family members allege that during his nearly 18 months in detention, Sarkar secured bail from the High Court six times. However, each time the bail order reached the jail and his release became imminent, law enforcement officials re-arrested him at the prison gate in connection with separate cases.
Most recently, on February 5, after obtaining bail, he was again shown arrested in a case filed with Gaibandha Sadar Police Station (GR 176/25) and sent back to jail.Illness and Death
Prison authorities said Sarkar fell seriously ill around midnight on Sunday inside the jail. He was initially taken to Gaibandha General Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Gaibandha District Jail Superintendent Atikur Rahman confirmed the death, stating that Sarkar had been in custody as an undertrial prisoner and had previously received medical treatment during his incarceration.
Political Career
Sarkar had long been active in local politics. In 1996, he served as President of the upazila unit of Jubo League. He later became Organizing Secretary of the Palashbari Upazila Awami League and was elected General Secretary in 2016. Since 2018, he had been serving as President of the upazila unit until his death.
Leaders and activists of various political, social, and professional organizations in Palashbari have expressed deep sorrow over his demise.
