A controversy has emerged in Bangladesh following the circulation of a photograph showing Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, a former Industries Minister and aide to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, lying in a hospital bed with handcuffs. The image, which circulated on social media after his death, has drawn widespread criticism regarding the treatment of the elderly politician, who was undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for various health issues.
Humayun, aged 75 and a prominent figure in the Awami League, was arrested on September 24 in connection to ongoing legal cases related to an anti-discrimination movement. He passed away in custody on October 2 while receiving care in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Following the release of the photo, numerous social media users and public figures condemned the perceived human rights breach, demanding accountability and an investigation. Lawyers and human rights advocates emphasized that shackling a frail individual—especially after death—contradicts established guidelines for the treatment of prisoners and violates human rights standards.
The Bangladesh Jail authorities have disputed claims regarding the photo, asserting it was misleading and asserting that Humayun was treated with dignity throughout his hospitalization. They stated that inmates may be handcuffed during hospital stays for security reasons. The Home Secretary also dismissed the image as doctored.
- Why it matters: This incident raises important questions about the treatment of prisoners, especially the elderly, and highlights ongoing concerns regarding human rights practices in Bangladesh’s correctional system.
- Sector impact: Businesses and organizations involved in advocacy or compliance may need to reconsider their approaches to human rights issues in light of increasing scrutiny.
- The latest: The government has indicated that it is willing to investigate claims surrounding the controversial photo, though officials maintain its legitimacy is questionable.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sheikh-hasina-aide-nurul-majid-mahmud-humayun-handcuffed-to-hospital-bed-before-death-2796727-2025-10-02
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sheikh-hasina-aide-nurul-majid-mahmud-humayun-handcuffed-to-hospital-bed-before-death-2796727-2025-10-02