The Voice News: Imam Hossain Bacchu (44), a vice-president of the Cumilla City unit of the Bangladesh Awami Swechchhasebak League (Volunteer League), died in custody at the Cumilla Central Jail on Saturday morning. Prison authorities confirmed that Bacchu experienced severe chest pain and was rushed to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Bacchu was the son of Golam Mawla, a resident of the Mugal Tuli area in Cumilla city.
Senior Jail Superintendent Halima Khatun confirmed the incident to local media, stating that Bacchu had been incarcerated since March 30, 2025, following his arrest by police from Kotwali Model Police Station. He was facing charges in two criminal cases, one for murder and another for attempted murder.
Following his death, a postmortem examination was conducted at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. The body was handed over to Bacchu’s family in the afternoon, Halima Khatun added.
While preliminary indications suggest a cardiac arrest, an official cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report is released. Prison authorities claim that Bacchu had no prior serious health complications recorded during his time in custody.
However, his sudden death has raised concerns among his family members and political associates, who have demanded a transparent investigation. Several local leaders of the Swechchhasebak League have already voiced suspicions and called for CCTV footage from the jail premises to be reviewed.
Sources within the jail administration mentioned that Bacchu was kept in a high-security zone due to the severity of the allegations against him. Authorities have stated that all standard procedures were followed regarding his custody and medical attention.
The incident is likely to spark further political tension in Cumilla, where Bacchu had been an influential local leader aligned with the ruling Awami League. Human rights organizations have also called on the Home Ministry to ensure accountability and transparency regarding deaths in custody.
As of now, no official inquiry committee has been formed, but the prison authority said they would cooperate fully if any investigation is initiated.
