Roy was the vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and was known as an influential figure within locality.
Hindu Leader Abducted and Murdered in Bangladesh; New Delhi Condemns Incident, latest News:
Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu leader, was allegedly abducted from his home and beaten to death in Dinajpur, Bangladesh, News 16 reported, citing a media source on Friday.
The body of the 58-year-old, a resident of Basudebpur in Dinajpur district, was reportedly recovered on Thursday night around 10 PM — about 300 kilometers northwest of Dhaka, according to sources.
According to the report, Roy was the vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and was known as an influential figure within the local Hindu community.
What Happened:
Roy's wife, Shantana Roy, told The Daily Star, as reported by News18, that he received a call around 4:30 PM while at home. The call was reportedly made by the perpetrators to confirm his presence.
About half an hour later, four men reportedly arrived on motorcycles and allegedly abducted him. According to eyewitnesses, he was taken to Narabari village, where he was allegedly beaten to death. His body was then reportedly sent back home in a van.
He was rushed to a local health complex and later referred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. His body was subsequently sent for autopsy.
Shantana claimed she recognised two of the assailants. However, no arrests have been made as of this report. Police are currently working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X, condemning the act, “We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh. This killing follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim government even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity. We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government to live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities, including Hindus, without inventing excuses or making distinctions.
Background: Attacks on Minorities
Last month, a report by Dhaka-based human rights group Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) documented 147 incidents targeting the Hindu community across Bangladesh. These included vandalism of 408 homes (with 36 cases of arson), 113 attacks on businesses, 32 assaults on temples and Ahmadiyya mosques, and 92 cases of idol desecration, the report stated.
