Dhaka, 19 August (H.S.): Tafique Nawaz, husband of Bangladesh Awami League leader and former minister Dr Dipu Moni, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday night. Dipu Moni, who is currently in judicial custody, has applied for parole to attend her husband's funeral.

Dipu Moni's elder brother, J.R. Wadud Tipu, confirmed the death and said a decision regarding the venue and timing of the funeral prayer and burial would be taken after Wednesday afternoon.

According to reports, Tipu said his brother-in-law died at 10:27 p.m. at Continental Hospital, formerly known as United Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for an extended period. Nawaz had suffered a stroke in 2019.

Nawaz was a former lawyer of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and was also known for his expertise in classical music. On May 27 this year, relatives took him to court in a wheelchair so that he could meet his wife, Dipu Moni, who had appeared there for a scheduled hearing.

Dipu Moni was arrested from Dhaka's Baridhara area on August 19, 2024, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024. She is currently being held in judicial custody at Munshiganj District Jail.

During her incarceration, Dipu Moni was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment after her health deteriorated. She was subsequently discharged and returned to jail after recovering.

More than 60 criminal cases have reportedly been filed against her, involving allegations including murder, crimes against humanity, corruption and incitement to violence. Of these, the court has formally shown her as arrested in 38 cases.

In June 2026, Dipu Moni was granted interim bail by the High Court in some cases. However, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court later stayed the bail following a petition filed by the government, preventing her release from custody.

Following Tafique Nawaz's death, Dipu Moni's lawyers have applied to the Munshiganj district administration seeking her release on parole so that she can attend the funeral rites and burial of her husband.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar