Police have arrested four individuals, including a couple, in connection with the theft of gold from deity idols at three temples across the capital and Narayanganj, recovering a portion of the stolen gold.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner (Crime) Md Faruk Hossain disclosed the details during a press conference held at DMP Media Centre on Tuesday afternoon.
The arrested couple have been identified as Lipi Karmakar, 29, and Arnab Roy alias Dipta (also known as Dweep), 30.
The other two arrestees are Md Muhin, 37, owner of Sadia Jewellers under Dakhinkhan Police Station, and Zakariya Islam, both shopkeepers who bought the stolen gold.
According to police, the couple visited various temples, stole gold items attached to deity idols, and subsequently sold them to jewellery shops.
They were identified and detained on Sunday morning from Dobadia area under Uttarkhan Police Station following a recent theft from the tongue of the Kali idol at Sri Sri Ramna Kali Mandir under Shahbagh Police Station.
The Ramna Kali Mandir incident occurred on 7 October between 8:45am and 4pm, during which gold weighing around six ana were stolen from the deity’s tongue.
Following a complaint lodged by temple priest Sujit Chakraborty, police identified the suspects by analysing CCTV footage.
After being produced before the court, the couple confessed to their involvement and gave statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate.
Based on their confessional information, Shahbagh police arrested Mohammad Muhin and recovered a gold sheet weighing two ana, one rati, and four points from his possession.
Interrogation of the couple further revealed their involvement in another gold theft on 13 September at Siddheswari Kali Mandir, regarding which a case was filed at Ramna Police Station.
The gold stolen from Siddheswari Kali Mandir was subsequently recovered based on information provided by the couple, leading to the arrest of Zakariya Islam.
Police also disclosed that on 11 September, the couple had stolen a gold chain from the neck of Baba Lokenath Brahmachari at Devbhog temple in Narayanganj district (Lokenath Ashram).
Although caught red-handed by a priest while attempting to flee, they were released at the time by members of the temple committee.
When asked whether theft was the couple’s primary profession, the joint commissioner said evidence of their involvement in three separate incidents has been obtained so far, and further details would be known upon subsequent interrogation.
Addressing security arrangements ahead of Durga Puja starting on 16 October, Faruk assured that adequate police personnel have been deployed.
He noted that no untoward incidents or crimes have occurred so far, adding that everything is in order and police expect the festival to be celebrated smoothly without risk of any untoward event.
