Dhaka: A 25-year-old Hindu law student, who also occasionally serves as an assistant priest at a temple, was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and held for ransom in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. The victim, identified as Subhash Deuri, is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), while police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Deuri is a first-year student at Central Law College in Old Dhaka and occasionally performs religious rituals at the central temple of Jagannath University in the absence of its regular priest.
Allegedly Abducted in Swamibagh
According to local media reports, Deuri arrived in the Swamibagh area by rickshaw at around 8:00 pm on Monday when he was allegedly abducted by unidentified individuals. He was reportedly taken to a house where he was confined and assaulted.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Deuri allegedly escaped by jumping from part of the building. He sustained serious injuries during the escape and later contacted his roommate, who rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Family Received Ransom Call
Deuri’s sister, Jaya, said she received a phone call from her brother’s mobile phone at around 1:00 am on Tuesday. An unidentified caller demanded 30,000 Bangladeshi Taka for his release.
According to the family, the abductors provided a bank account for the payment. After 26,000 Bangladeshi Taka was transferred, Deuri was reportedly abandoned on a street in Old Dhaka.
A relative, Dipu Barman, said Deuri suffered fractures to his leg and hip and will require surgery.
Police Investigating
Mofizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Wari Police Station, said Deuri told investigators that he had gone to a temple in Swamibagh on Monday night when several men allegedly abducted him and confined him in a house.
“He later escaped by jumping from a part of the building in the early hours of the morning. He sustained injuries while jumping,” the police officer said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
Temple Committee Clarifies Role
Anik Kumar Das, Member Secretary of Jagannath University’s central temple committee, clarified that Deuri is not a permanent priest at the temple.
“Our permanent priest is Saikat Pathak. Subhash occasionally performs religious rituals in his absence. This incident has no connection with our temple,” Das said, adding that the committee had already issued a clarification on its official Facebook page.
Motive Yet to Be Established
Kajal Debnath, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, said the organisation is gathering details to determine whether the incident was a case of robbery or if there were other motives behind the alleged crime.
Authorities have not yet established whether Deuri was targeted because of his religious identity. Police said all aspects of the case are being investigated.
Deuri, a native of Magura district in Bangladesh’s Khulna division, lives in a rented apartment with a friend in Dhaka.