Indian-origin Law Student, Assistant Priest Kidnapped for Ransom in Dhaka

A 25-year-old man named Subhash Deuri, a law student and part-time assistant priest, both believed to be of Indian-origin, were allegedly kidnapped, beaten, and held for ransom in Dhaka on Monday night. According to police and local media reports, the kidnappers demanded 30,000 Bangladeshi Taka from his family.

After 26,000 Taka was transferred, Deuri managed to escape and was later admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is receiving treatment. Police have started an investigation, and it is still not clear whether he was targeted because of his religion.

According to Deuri's family, the incident reportedly happened around 8.00 pm when he arrived in the Swamibagh area by rickshaw. His sister, Jaya, reportedly said she received a phone call from his mobile phone at around 1.00 am. An unknown man demanded 30,000 Taka for his release and gave a bank account number for the payment. After the family transferred 26,000 Taka, the kidnappers reportedly left Deuri on a street in Old Dhaka.

Student Injured

Police reportedly said he told them that several unidentified men had taken him from a temple area in Swamibagh and kept him inside a house. To save himself, he jumped from part of the building early Tuesday morning. He was injured while escaping and later contacted his roommate, who immediately took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Doctors said Deuri suffered serious injuries, including fractures in his leg, and he may need surgery.

The temple committee of Jagannath University clarified that Deuri is not a permanent priest. Committee member secretary Anik Kumar Das reportedly said the temple's regular priest is Saikat Pathak, while Deuri only performs religious duties occasionally.