Chaki, who had been suffering from multiple chronic illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and severe eye problems, was first hospitalized at Pabna General Hospital following a heart attack on Friday morning, January 9. He was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced care, where he passed away around 9 pm on Sunday, January 11.

The family has accused the jail authorities of negligence, claiming that the treatment he received was inadequate and delayed. Sani Chaki, the son of the deceased and a music director, stated that his father’s health deteriorated further due to insufficient medical facilities at Pabna General Hospital and delays in transferring him to Rajshahi.

However, Pabna District Jail Superintendent Mohammad Omar Faruk denied these allegations, asserting that Chaki’s treatment began immediately once his condition worsened. Faruk said that Chaki had pre-existing illnesses and that “there was no delay of any kind” in providing medical care.

Chaki’s arrest on December 16, 2025, was reportedly linked to his association with the Awami League, which is currently banned in Bangladesh. Human rights groups have highlighted systemic issues in the prison system, pointing to Chaki’s death as part of a broader pattern. According to the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra, 107 people died in Bangladeshi jails in 2025, including 69 undertrial and 38 convicted prisoners. The previous year, 65 custodial deaths were reported.

Chaki’s death has drawn attention to the conditions of medical care in Bangladesh’s prisons, particularly for prisoners with chronic illnesses. Legal experts and civil society activists have called for a thorough investigation into custodial healthcare practices and accountability for alleged lapses.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the treatment of minority communities and political detainees in the country, underscoring the need for reforms to ensure timely access to essential medical services for all prisoners.