Veteran Bangladeshi singer and Awami League leader Prolay Chaki has died while in custody, sparking allegations of negligence and denial of medical care by his family. Chaki, a popular singer of the 1980s who regularly performed on Bangladesh Television (BTV) alongside his brother Moloy Chaki, was the cultural affairs secretary of the Pabna district Awami League. He was arrested on December 16 last year at his residence in Pabna in a case linked to an alleged attack during the anti-discrimination student movement and was later sent to jail.

 

According to Pabna District Jail Superintendent Omar Faruk, Prolay Chaki died around 9:15 pm on Sunday while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Prison authorities said he had been suffering from diabetes and other ailments and was taken to the hospital after suffering a stroke and later a heart attack.

 

However, Chaki’s family has strongly disputed the official account, alleging that he was subjected to prolonged mental and physical torture in prison and was denied proper medical treatment for months. His son, Sunny Chaki, claimed that despite being a heart patient, his father was kept in a prison cell instead of a critical care unit and that the family was not informed in time about his deteriorating condition.

 

Family members and supporters have alleged that Chaki was targeted because of his political affiliation and religious identity. Prolay Chaki’s death has prompted expressions of grief from prominent musicians, including Tapan Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Dinat Jahan Munni, Bappa Mazumder and Kabir Bakul, while also reigniting debate over the treatment of detainees and access to medical care in custody.