Staff Correspondent

Despite obtaining bail from the High Court, critically ill eminent journalist Azahar Ali Sarkar, 57, has been denied release from prison. Instead, he has been sent back to the Dhaka Central Jail from the hospital after being "shown arrested" in a new case, leaving his physical condition in a highly critical state.

 His family has expressed deep concern and anger over his sudden transfer back to prison instead of being provided with advanced medical treatment.

According to family and court sources, the pro-BNP journalist had recently secured bail from the High Court in a case filed with the Ramna Model Police Station, which should have cleared the path for his release under standard legal procedures.

 However, before the bail order could be executed, the prison authorities showed him arrested in a new case filed with the Shahbagh Police Station. 

Consequently, Azhar, who had been undergoing treatment at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) since April 29, was hurriedly transferred back to the Keraniganj Central Jail.

Medical reports from a high-level medical board of specialists at BSMMU indicate that Azhar is suffering from multiple life-threatening ailments, including liver cirrhosis, severe kidney complications, and asthma-induced breathing difficulties. Doctors explicitly stated that he requires at least two major surgeries to survive. Although preparations for his surgeries were made three times during May and June, physicians were forced to postpone them due to a critically low level of hemoglobin and platelets. 

He has so far been administered six bags of AB-positive (AB+) blood to combat severe anemia, but his family warns that moving him back to jail has completely halted his treatment process, putting his life at extreme risk.

Azhar’s family members stated that a Detective Branch (DB) team picked him up from his Banasree residence on the evening of October 10, 2025, and showed him arrested the following day in a political case under the Ramna Police Station. They alleged that his chronic and fatal illnesses developed during his prolonged incarceration due to a lack of proper medical attention, while Azhar has consistently rejected all allegations against him as false and fabricated.

The latest developments have left his wife, two children, and relatives in deep distress and mental trauma. In light of his deteriorating health, his family members have sought the direct and urgent intervention of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to safeguard his fundamental human rights and ensure emergency advanced medical care. 

Meanwhile, the journalist community and human rights activists have strongly condemned the practice of "shown arrest," demanding his immediate release and proper medical treatment.

It is mentioned that he is a BNP-supported journalist.