DHAKA, Bangladesh — Aug. 6, 2026: Mizanur Rahman Monir, a former local government official and member of the Patuakhali District Awami League, died on Wednesday after nearly two months in intensive care at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), his family said. He was 48.
Monir suffered a brain hemorrhage while in custody on June 9 and was transferred from Dhaka Central Jail to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he remained in critical condition until his death at 3:25 p.m. on Aug. 5.
His case attracted nationwide attention after a photograph showing him handcuffed to his hospital bed while in intensive care circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism from rights advocates and the public over the use of restraints on critically ill detainees.
According to family members, Monir was arrested by Detective Branch (DB) police in Dhaka on Sept. 14, 2025, after months in hiding following the political upheaval of August 2024. He faced eight criminal cases—six in Dhaka and two in Patuakhali—and remained in custody for about 11 months.
Relatives said he secured bail in his final pending case on July 30, but his medical condition was too critical for him to leave the hospital.
His wife, Salma Jahan, alleged that Monir remained handcuffed for nearly a month after being admitted to the ICU, despite being unconscious and suffering paralysis following the stroke. She said the restraints were removed only after physicians informed authorities that his chances of recovery were minimal.
“He no longer recognized anyone, including me. By the time the handcuffs were removed, he was almost gone,” she said.
Monir previously served as vice chairman of Patuakhali Sadar Upazila Parishad and held several positions within the Awami League and its affiliated organizations.
Family members said funeral prayers will be held on Thursday morning in Patuakhali before he is laid to rest at his ancestral village cemetery.
Authorities had not publicly commented on the allegations regarding the use of handcuffs in the ICU at the time of publication.
