Belal Uddin Pradhan, ameer of Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami, who was detained with cash at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari, has been admitted to the Cardiology Department of Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH).
Party leaders said he suffered a heart attack and is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
Sohela Parveen, nursing in-charge of CCU-1 at RMCH, said he was admitted on Wednesday afternoon and is receiving treatment.
Police said Belal Uddin arrived in Saidpur at 10:55 am on a US-Bangla Airlines flight. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcers conducted a special operation and searched his bag, recovering a large amount of cash. After counting, the amount was found to be Tk 74,00,000.
He was questioned about the source and intended use of the money. Belal claimed the cash was related to his business but has so far failed to produce any documents proving the source of the funds, police said.
After falling ill following his detention, he was first taken by ambulance to Saidpur 100-bed Hospital and later transferred to Rangpur.
Dr Azharul Islam, head of the Cardiology Department at Rangpur Community Medical College and Hospital, visited him and said preliminary assessments indicate that Belal suffered a heart attack, along with elevated blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. An ECG showed abnormalities, and further tests, including an echocardiogram and blood work, have been conducted.
He remains under close observation in the CCU and is not yet out of danger, the physician said.
Belal is currently being treated in the CCU under police guard.
Rangpur Metropolitan Jamaat Secretary KM Anwarul Haque Kajol visited Belal at the hospital and claimed he was carrying business funds in compliance with airport rules. He alleged that prolonged detention and questioning by a specific agency at Saidpur Airport caused mental harassment, leading to his illness.
Kajol added that Belal had pre-existing health conditions and was advised by doctors to be admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to heart complications. Several medical tests have been conducted, and the seriousness of his condition will be known after the reports are available.
After being detained at the airport, Belal reportedly said he works as a teacher and that the money was related to his garment business. Despite this, he was questioned further and subsequently became unwell.