Was Sheikh Hasina’s aide shackled on his deathbed? Viral photo raises human rights questions

A political and human rights storm has broken out in Bangladesh after a photo showing Sheikh Hasina’s close aide and former Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun in handcuffs while lying in a hospital bed went viral on social media. The image emerged shortly after the senior Awami League leader’s death in custody, fuelling outrage and sparking accusations of human rights violations.

The photograph, widely circulated online, appeared to show the 75-year-old politician handcuffed to a hospital bed while being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Some users claimed that his hands remained shackled even after his death. Nurul Majid, who was arrested on September 24 in connection with cases related to the 2024 anti-discrimination movement, passed away on Monday while receiving treatment in the ICU. Jail authorities confirmed his death in a press release, noting that he had long been suffering from age-related illnesses and was frequently admitted to hospitals during detention.

Veteran freedom fighter, former Industries Minister and senior Awami League leader Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun (75) has died in jail custody at DMCH, allegedly due to neglect and denial of proper medical care. Even after his passing, his hands remained shackled.

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The image triggered a wave of anger from citizens, lawyers, and human rights activists. They argued that restraining an elderly and critically ill prisoner represented a blatant breach of both human dignity and Bangladesh’s legal obligations.

"Keeping handcuffs on a dying or deceased person is inhuman and a stark violation of human rights. This will remain as an example of the most extreme breach of dignity," said human rights activist Nur Khan Liton in comments to local media.

Advocate Abu Obyaidur Rahman echoed this sentiment, arguing that the practice defied legal directives. "How can a 75-year-old sick man be considered a dangerous or escape-prone prisoner? Moreover, the PRB explicitly states that ill prisoners must not be handcuffed," he told TBS.

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a Supreme Court lawyer and human rights defender, described the incident as unconstitutional. "This selective application of law is unacceptable. Justice must be equal for all. To see an elderly, ailing man treated in this way reflects the persistence of authoritarian practices," he said.

In response to the criticism, Bangladesh Jail authorities rejected the claims as “misleading and baseless.” They insisted that Nurul Majid had been under proper medical care until his death and that the photo being circulated did not originate from his ICU treatment period. "The image being circulated on social media is not from his ICU treatment period. He was under proper care in Dhaka Medical College Hospital until his death. Misleading information is being spread, and we urge everyone to refrain from such irresponsible acts involving a deceased person," their statement read, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

Keraniganj Central Jail’s Senior Jail Superintendent, Suraiya Akhter, acknowledged that prisoners are sometimes kept in handcuffs during hospital stays for security reasons. She suggested that the image could have been taken during one of Nurul Majid’s earlier hospitalisations.

Hospital authorities also backed this explanation. Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, clarified that the photo was not from the time of death. "We only provide treatment. Police stay with the prisoners all the time – this is not a matter for the hospital. He [Nurul Majid] was first in the medicine cabin and later died in the ICU. The photo that went viral is not from after his death. It was taken when he was first brought to the hospital," he told TBS.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Home Secretary Md Nasimul Gani dismissed the photo outright, calling it fake. "The image is fake. Former Minister Humayun was receiving treatment at the hospital with his family and doctors present. Despite that, if anyone still has concerns, an investigation can be conducted to uncover the truth," he said.

The controversy continues to dominate public debate, with rights advocates demanding accountability and government officials insisting that the viral image is part of a misinformation campaign.