Subhash Deuri, the 25-year-old priest of the Jagannath University (JnU) central temple, was critically injured after being hacked by a group of muggers in Old Dhaka’s Narinda area on Monday night.
The attackers reportedly snatched his mobile phone and wallet before leaving him unconscious on the street. Subhash is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors have placed him under close observation.
The incident occurred around midnight in front of Agrani Bank on Narinda Road, under the jurisdiction of Wari Police Station. According to his roommate Durjoy Saha, Subhash had gone out of his residence to buy medicine when he was intercepted by a group of unidentified assailants.
“They attacked him with sharp weapons and left him unconscious on the street before fleeing with his mobile phone and wallet,” he said.
Locals reportedly found him the following morning and rushed him to DMCH around 8am.
In a further development, the attackers allegedly used the stolen mobile phone to contact the victim’s sister, Jaya, and demanded Tk20,000 as ransom. The family has informed law enforcement about the extortion attempt.
Priyanto Swarnokar, convener of the JnU Central Temple Committee, said the priest’s condition is serious. “We are still trying to gather detailed information about the incident. At this stage, we only know that he was attacked by muggers,” he said, adding that the committee is monitoring his treatment.
At DMCH, Inspector Faruk Hossain of the police outpost confirmed that the victim is receiving medical care and that the concerned police station has been informed.
However, Wari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman said police had not yet received any formal complaint or General Diary (GD) regarding the incident. “We came to know about it through media reports. Once a complaint is filed, we will investigate and take legal action,” he said.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over street crime and nighttime safety in parts of Old Dhaka, particularly involving lone pedestrians.
