Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday alleged that its assistant organising secretary Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu died due to negligence of the jail authorities.

‘Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu has died due to negligence on part of the jail authorities. He was our close colleague and we’re devastated hearing his death news,’ said BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon.

He brought the allegation at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

Ripon, also the party’s international affairs secretary, said the jail authorities sent ailing Pintu to Rajshahi from Narayanganj on 20 April violating a High Court order.

He claimed that the HC had directed the jail authorities to provide Pintu with treatment at any specialised hospitals in Dhaka.

Ripon said Pintu’s condition sharply deteriorated on 25 April, but the jail authorities did not give him necessary treatment.

‘We think Pintu died due to jail authorities’ carelessness. We don’t think it’s a natural death,’ he said.

The BNP leader further said, ‘We, on behalf of the party, express our deep shock at his death and convey our profound sympathy to his bereaved family members.

Earlier, Pintu’s family members also alleged that he was killed in a planned way in jail.

Pintu’s bereaved wife Nasima Akhter, mother Hosne Ara and other family members brought the allegation while talking to journalists at their Hajaribagh residence.

Pintu, a convict in the DBR carnage case, died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on Sunday.

RMCH police assistant sub-inspector Chanchal said Pintu was taken to the hospital at noon after he complained of chest pain. He breathed his last there at about 12:20 pm.

However, Dr Rais Uddin, head of RMCH cardiology department, said Pintu might have died of cardiac arrest before he was taken to the hospital.