By Special Correspondent

The premature demise of veteran journalist Azhar Ali Sarkar is not merely the end of a distinguished media career; it stands as a chilling indictment of the justice system, law enforcement conduct, and the state of prisoner human rights in Bangladesh.

Having served in editorial roles at leading publications like Daily Ajker Kagoj and Amader Shomoy, the late journalist was also a prominent figure within the journalist community, serving as former executive member of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and additional secretary general of the Nationalist Journalists Forum.

The manner in which this senior newsman was repeatedly entangled in counter-terrorism cases and detained despite his failing health has sent shockwaves through the country's media fraternity.

According to media reports, Azhar Ali Sarkar had been battling severe chronic conditions, including kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes. Despite his health, detectives picked him up from his South Banasree residence on October 10 last year. He was subsequently shown arrested in a counter-terrorism case filed with Ramna Police Station—a case initially launched following the detention of US citizen Enayet Karim Chowdhury.

A critical look at the charges and legal procedures reveals how the state machinery’s tactics can deprive a critically ill individual of timely medical treatment, effectively pushing them toward a tragic fate.

1. The Traps of 'Shown Arrest' :
When the High Court granted Azhar Ali bail in the initial Ramna case, offering a window for his release, the authorities promptly applied to show him arrested in another counter-terrorism case filed at Shahbagh Police Station. By the time he was presented before a Dhaka court on June 29 following an June 18 application, his physical condition had deteriorated to the point where he had to be brought in on a wheelchair. Despite repeated pleas from his defense team highlighting his life-threatening ailments, bail was denied. This endless loop of administrative hurdles and successive "shown arrests" intentionally stalled his release.

2. Mob Violence and Administrative Double Standards :

The second case stemmed from an incident at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), where a discussion organized by 'Manch 71' was targeted by mob violence. Paradoxically, instead of holding the perpetrators of the mob attack accountable, a counter-terrorism case was slapped on the participants and organizers, including former minister Latif Siddique and academic Prof Hafizur Rahman Karzon. Ensnaring an ailing journalist like Azhar Ali in the same broad case to prolong his detention raises serious questions about the selective application of law and the erosion of due process.

3. Medical Neglect in Custodial Detention :

Azhar Ali’s family has repeatedly pointed out that during his ten-month incarceration, he was denied adequate and specialized healthcare.

Although the court eventually granted him bail on August 17 on medical grounds, his months in custody had already inflicted irreparable damage on his organs. His passing on September 27—just one month and ten days after his release, while being rushed from Shamorita Hospital to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)—underscores how procedural delays and custodial medical negligence can prove fatal.

Where Does the Accountability Lie?. :

When a seasoned journalist with deep professional roots can be dragged into questionable terrorism cases and brought to court in a wheelchair, it exposes the profound vulnerability of ordinary citizens. Weaponizing legal mechanisms to deny timely medical access to political or ideological opponents violates both constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.

The death of Azhar Ali Sarkar cannot be viewed as a routine passing under natural circumstances; it remains a grim testament to state negligence and legal harassment. Why was he arrested under the interim administration, on what evidentiary basis was he repeatedly implicated, and who bears responsibility for the denial of timely medical care? A high-level, independent judicial inquiry is imperative. Failing to investigate these lapses will only deepen the public's crisis of faith in the rule of law and fundamental human security.