A specially-abled fisherman from Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas, detained in Bangladesh for allegedly crossing international maritime boundaries, died in custody, triggering grief and suspicion in his hometown.
Babul Das (25), a deaf and mute fisherman from West Gangadharpur, had been arrested for fishing beyond the India–Bangladesh maritime border. The news of his death reached his family on Saturday, leaving the entire village in shock.
According to family members, the Bangladesh High Commission informed them that Babul, who was still under trial, had died of a heart attack. However, his relatives claim the explanation is unconvincing and have raised doubts regarding the real cause of death.
Local sources stated that on July 13, two trawlers from Kakdwip — FB Mangalchandi and FB Jhar — were intercepted by the Bangladesh Navy for allegedly fishing within Bangladesh’s maritime border. A total of 34 Indian fishermen were detained and handed over to Mongla Port Police Station. The trawlers had ventured into the deep sea to catch hilsa.
On July 15, a case was registered against the fishermen, and the Bagerhat court remanded them in judicial custody. Since then, all the detainees had been lodged in Bangladeshi jails as undertrial prisoners. Babul, part of the Mangalchandi crew, was among them.
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Babul’s brother, Basudeb Das, said the family first learned of the tragedy through officers of Harwood Point Coastal Police Station. “He was specially able, but otherwise healthy and strong. This is suspicious. We fear he may have been tortured. We want his body brought back and a second autopsy conducted in Kakdwip,” he said.
Satinath Patra, Secretary of the Sundarban Shramjivi Matsya Union, visited the bereaved family and assured them of support. He confirmed that efforts were underway to ensure Babul’s body is repatriated at the earliest. “The death of a fisherman imprisoned in Bangladesh is extremely saddening,” he said, extending condolences on behalf of the organisation.
As diplomatic and administrative channels initiate procedures to bring Babul’s body home, his family and community continue to demand clarity on the circumstances of his death, hoping that an independent post-mortem will offer answers.
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