The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has reported that 61 prisoners died in custody in various prisons across Bangladesh during the first six months of the current year. The organization also claimed that 58 of the deceased were leaders and activists of the Awami League. According to ASK, the information was compiled by reviewing reports published in various national newspapers.

ASK's data show that, of the 61 prisoners who died in custody, 37 were undertrial detainees, while 12 were serving short-term prison sentences. The organization said that although the remaining 12 individuals were also in custody, prison authorities were unable to provide clear information regarding the charges or cases under which they had been detained.

An analysis of the data indicates that more than 60 percent of the deaths involved undertrial prisoners—individuals whose cases had not yet been concluded in court. Human rights experts say this raises serious concerns about the judicial process, prisoner safety, and prison management.

Region-wise, Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of custodial deaths, with 36 prisoners dying in custody. Among them, 17 were undertrial detainees and 19 were convicted prisoners. Chattogram Division recorded the second-highest number of deaths, with eight prisoners, including seven undertrial detainees and one convicted prisoner.

According to ASK, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions each recorded five deaths, while Barishal and Rangpur divisions reported two deaths each. Mymensingh Division also recorded two deaths, and Sylhet Division reported one custodial death. Both prisoners who died in Rangpur were undertrial detainees.

Human rights activists have called for independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into every custodial death. They also urged the authorities to disclose the actual causes of death, the availability and quality of medical care in prisons, prison occupancy relative to capacity, and the effectiveness of prison healthcare and security systems.

Experts emphasize that, under international human rights standards, the state has a responsibility to protect the lives and health of every person held in its custody. Therefore, any unnatural or sudden death in custody should be thoroughly investigated, accountability should be established where necessary, and appropriate institutional reforms should be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.