India – CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE CUSTODIAL MURDER OF POLITICAL PRISONER PRASHANT BOSE

We hereby share a statement issued by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).

Custodial Death of Prashant Bose

The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the custodial death of octogenarian political prisoner Prashant Bose, who passed away on 3rd April at RIMS Hospital, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Prashant Bose had been an undertrial political prisoner since November 2021, when he was arrested along with his life partner, Sheela Marandi. During more than four years of incarceration, his health severely deteriorated due to age-related ailments and lack of proper medical care.RIMS superintendent Dr Hiren Birua stated, “The patient was suffering from various age-related diseases. Recently, orthopaedic, neurology, ENT, medicine and nephrology specialists had visited him in jail. He was brought to RIMS early morning”. He was also undergoing treatment at the jail hospital. At the time of his arrest, he was already unwell and reportedly on his way to seek medical treatment, yet he was taken into custody and imprisoned without adequate care.

Prolonged Incarceration and Denial of Bail
Following his arrest, multiple cases were filed against him by the NIA and various state police agencies across Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. Later on In the same case, journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh was arrested in July 2022. Despite serious health concerns, the bail applications of Prashant Bose, Sheela Marandi, and Rupesh Kumar Singh were rejected by the Ranchi High Court in December 2023, prolonging their incarceration under harsh conditions.

Medical Negligence and Prison Conditions
CASR holds that the death of Prashant Bose is a direct result of gross medical negligence and the deplorable conditions in Indian prisons. He was lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi—historically associated with the incarceration of the great Adivasi leader Birsa Munda.
Today, the same prison continues to confine individuals fighting for Adivasi rights over jal, jangal, and jamin, while failing to ensure even basic healthcare.

A Pattern of Custodial Killings
The custodial death of Prashant Bose is not an isolated incident. It reflects a continuing pattern of systemic neglect and institutional violence against political prisoners. The deaths of Stan Swamy, Pandu Narote, and Kanchan Nanaware in custody stand as stark reminders of how prolonged incarceration and denial of medical care have been used as tools of repression.

Institutional Responsibility
CASR asserts that such custodial deaths are not merely the failure of jail authorities. They are the outcome of a systemic nexus involving the police, investigative agencies, and the judiciary.When individuals are under judicial custody, the judiciary bears equal responsibility to ensure their right to life, dignity, and healthcare. The continued denial of bail and medical care in such cases raises serious concerns about institutional accountability.

Serious Concerns for Other Political Prisoners
CASR expresses deep concern over the deteriorating health conditions of other political prisoners. Co-accused Sheela Marandi is reportedly critically ill, while Rupesh Kumar Singh is facing severe mental stress and health issues due to prolonged incarceration.

Our Demands
CASR demands:

– A high-level, independent judicial inquiry into the custodial death of Prashant Bose.
– Immediate and adequate medical treatment for all prisoners across jails.
– Urgent release of all prisoners suffering from severe and life-threatening medical conditions.

Appeal to Democratic and Progressive Forces
CASR calls upon all democratic rights organisations, civil liberties groups, people’s movements, trade unions, student and youth organisations, and progressive individuals across the country to raise their voices against the custodial murder of Prashant Bose. We urge all concerned citizens to stand in solidarity with political prisoners and resist the systematic use of incarceration as a tool to silence dissent. This is not just about one individual—it is about defending democratic rights, civil liberties, and the fundamental right to life and dignity.

CASR strongly condemns this systematic and institutionalised violence against political prisoners and reiterates its commitment to fight against all forms of state repression.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION (CASR)
Organising Team:
AIRSO, AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, Collective, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nazariya Magazine, Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samajwadi Manch, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S