Terminally ill inmate dies in custody after cancer battle in Bangladesh

A 70-year-old inmate, Abdur Rahman Mia, has died while undergoing cancer treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). The incident occurred on Saturday, January 30, 2026, at 11:30am. Authorities confirmed his death after a prolonged battle with multiple serious illnesses.

Abdur Rahman Mia, a resident of Uttar Agrabad in Chattogram's Double Mooring area, was arrested under a case filed by Kotwali police. He was sent to Chattogram Central Jail on November 17, 2025. Less than a month later, on December 24, his health deteriorated, prompting his transfer to CMCH for advanced medical care.

After nearly a month of treatment, Mia was discharged and returned to jail on January 18, 2026. However, following further medical advice, he was readmitted to CMCH on January 26. His condition worsened, and he passed away four days later.

The hospital's death certificate listed the cause of death as lung carcinoma with brain metastasis. Mia also suffered from high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. Chattogram Central Jail superintendent Syed Shah Sharif confirmed the inmate's death.

In 2024, Chattogram Central Jail recorded 28 inmate deaths due to health complications. The most common causes included tuberculosis (12 cases), heart disease (8 cases), and pneumonia (5 cases).

Abdur Rahman Mia's death follows a pattern of health-related fatalities in Chattogram Central Jail. His case involved multiple severe conditions, including advanced cancer. The incident adds to the jail's record of inmate deaths linked to medical complications in recent years.