Shahjahan Bhuiya, the former hangman who gained notoriety for his role in executing some of Bangladesh’s highest-profile death row inmates, passed away on Monday in Dhaka, the nation’s capital. Bhuiya, who briefly became a TikTok star after his release from prison, died in a hospital, with the cause of death yet to be confirmed.
Bhuiya, who was sentenced to 42 years in prison for robbery and murder in 1991, was able to reduce his sentence by hanging fellow inmates in exchange for reductions. Last year, he was granted early release after serving three decades behind bars.
In his memoir, titled “What the Life of a Hangman Was Like,” Bhuiya claimed to have put 60 inmates to death, although prison officials stated the correct figure was 26. Among those he executed were military officers involved in the assassination of the country’s founder, as well as politicians convicted of war crimes committed during the 1971 independence war.
Despite his past actions, Bhuiya expressed a sense of remorse and stated that he felt some pity for those he executed. He mentioned at a news conference after his release that he wanted to live well and move on from his dark past.
After his release, Bhuiya became a TikTok sensation, posting videos that often featured sexually suggestive conversations with young women. He also ran a tea stall and had little contact with his family, as most of his siblings had passed away.
Bhuiya’s death marks the end of a controversial life that involved both crime and punishment, leaving behind a complex legacy that will be remembered in Bangladesh’s history.
