Musician, Awami League leader Proloy Chaki dies in jail custody

Proloy Chaki, a former cultural secretary of Pabna district Awami League and a renowned singer of the 1980s and 1990s, died on Sunday night (Janaury 11) while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He was 66.

Chaki had been detained by Pabna District Detective Branch on December 16 last year from his home in Pathartala of Pabna, and later sent to jail in connection with an assault case linked to a student movement.

Proloy Chaki’s family has made serious allegations against the prison authorities over his death. His son said that his father was already suffering from heart disease, but he was kept in a general prisoner cell at the hospital instead of the CCU even after suffering a stroke. “He was not allowed to walk, yet was made to perform tasks that worsened his health. My father’s death was primarily due to the lack of proper medical care. We demand justice,” he said.

Relatives also claimed that Chaki was never an accused in the assault case linked to the anti-discrimination student movement and had been living at home. He was taken into custody almost a year after the case was filed and sent to prison as a suspect.

Pabna Jail Superintendent Md Omar Faruk confirmed Chaki’s death, saying the singer had diabetes and other age-related ailments. He was initially taken to Pabna General Hospital after suffering a stroke on Friday before being transferred to Rajshahi Medical College for advanced treatment. Faruk denied the family’s allegations of mistreatment.

Chaki and his brother Moloy Chaki gained national fame performing on popular BTV magazine shows such as Jodi Kichu Mone Na Koren and Ityadi, and were celebrated for their contributions to Bangladesh’s cultural scene.

He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.