Jail authorities refute social media claims surrounding ex-minister Humayun’s death

The Bangladesh Jail authorities have strongly refuted claims circulating on social media that former industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun was kept in handcuffs on his deathbed.

In a press statement issued yesterday (30 September), the authorities clarified that an image being shared online, shows the minister with his hand cuffed to the bed during treatment, but that was taken previously when he was hospitalised not before his death.

They further explained that due to illness during his imprisonment, Humayun was sent to hospitals multiple times since last year in accordance with proper regulations.

On 25 September, Humayun was admitted to the ICU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he remained until his death on 29 September.

After the photo spread on social media, many have criticised the authorities for keeping someone on their deathbed in handcuffs and called the incident inhuman. Many have compared the incident with keeping a convict in handcuffs during his mother's funeral prayers during the tenure of the Awami League government.

However, the Bangladesh Jail statement urged citizens and media outlets to refrain from spreading false or misleading information about a deceased person.

Reaffirming their stance, the authorities stated, "We remain committed to protecting the human dignity of all prisoners, and in this case as well, no exception was made."

According to Section 330 of the Police Regulations, Bengal, when sending a prisoner to a magistrate or to the place of investigation, no more restraints should be applied than are necessary to prevent escape. The use of handcuffs or ropes is in most cases unnecessary and degrading.

It further states that in the case of persons whose security can be easily and safely maintained due to age or infirmity, restraints should not be applied.

Humayun, an Awami League leader, had served as minister of industries during the previous government.

A former member of parliament from the Narsingdi-4 constituency, Humayun was arrested at his Gulshan residence on 24 September last year after the Awami League government was toppled through a mass uprising led by students.

He had four cases against him in Dhaka and one in Narsingdi, including the murder case of a labour leader named Jahangir Hossain in an attack and clash during the mass uprising in Madhabdi on 4 August last year.