Shamikul Islam Sarkar Lipon, 55, the banned Awami League’s Palashbari Upazila president and vice-principal of Palashbari Women’s Degree College, has passed away while in custody at Gaibandha District Jail.
He fell seriously ill on Saturday night and died while being transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
According to prison sources, Lipon suddenly became critically ill around 1 a.m. He was initially taken to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital, but as his condition deteriorated, he was being transferred under police escort to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. He died during the transfer.
Md. Atikur Rahman, head of Gaibandha District Jail, confirmed the incident, stating that Lipon received medical attention immediately after falling ill. “He was first taken to Sadar Hospital and then sent to Rangpur for advanced treatment, but unfortunately, he passed away en route,” he said.
Prison authorities reported that Lipon suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes and respiratory problems while in custody. He had also received treatment at Rangpur Medical College last month.
The body was kept at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Following completion of legal procedures, it will be handed over to his family through Rangpur Central Jail.
Lipon was arrested in Dhaka on 8 December 2024 in connection with a political case and had remained in prison since then. Although he had obtained bail from the court, he was re-arrested at the jail gate in connection with another case.
