Hindu Businessman Dies After Mob Attack in Bangladesh

written by Gaurav Sharma Sat Jan 03, 4:12 am Source

International

oi-Gaurav Sharma

Published: Saturday, January 3, 2026, 14:42 [IST]

A Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, who was stabbed and set on fire in Bangladesh on December 31, died on January 3 while under treatment in Dhaka. Das, a pharmacy owner and mobile banking agent from Shariatpur district, had been attacked by a mob near Keurbhanga Bazar. Police said two local suspects were identified, but no arrests were reported.

Medical staff at the National Burn Institute in Dhaka confirmed that Das died after nearly three days of treatment for serious burns and stab wounds. Hospital authorities said formalities were being completed so the body could be taken to Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union, where Das lived with family members.

On January 3, Khokon Chandra Das, a Hindu businessman from Shariatpur, Bangladesh, died at the National Burn Institute in Dhaka after being attacked and set on fire on December 31 near Keurbhanga Bazar; police identified suspects Rabbi and Sohag, but no arrests were made.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: death, injuries and hospital response

Hospital sources said Das died at around 7:20 am on January 3 while admitted at the National Burn Institute. Doctors stated that about 30 per cent of the body had burn injuries, including the face and respiratory tract. Staff explained that damage to the airways made treatment difficult. Internal injuries from sharp weapons further weakened Das during the short hospital stay.

Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, Professor at the National Burn Institute, confirmed the death over the phone. "Khokon Das, who was injured in a fire attack in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur, passed away at 7:20 this morning at the National Burn Institute in Bangladesh," Dr. Rahman told ANI. Officials then began the process of handing the body to relatives.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: how the assault unfolded near Keurbhanga Bazar

The attack on Das took place on December 31 near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union, within Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur district. According to local daily Prothom Alo, the incident occurred at about 9:30 pm while Das returned home after closing the pharmacy. A group of miscreants allegedly blocked his way and targeted him with extreme violence.

Police sources said Das had been travelling by auto-rickshaw along the Damudya–Shariatpur road when the vehicle was stopped. The assailants allegedly dragged Das out and attacked with sharp weapons. Prothom Alo reported that petrol was poured on the body before the attackers set Das on fire beside the road, near a pond next to the market area.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: police investigation and named suspects

Damudya Police Station officials said Das was a resident of Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union and ran both a pharmacy and a mobile banking outlet at Keurbhanga Bazar. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said investigators had identified two local residents as suspects in the attack, though neither had been detained by January 3.

Haque, quoted by Prothom Alo, described the early investigation steps. "After receiving information about a terrorist attack on a businessman at Keurbhanga Bazar, we went to the scene. The names of two of the attackers have been identified. They are local residents Rabbi and Sohag. Efforts are underway to arrest them. We are also trying to identify others who may be involved in the incident," he said.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: escape attempt, rescue and first treatment

Witness accounts reported that Das tried to save life by jumping into a nearby pond after being set on fire. Locals heard screams and rushed towards the road, which forced the attackers to flee the area. Residents then pulled Das from the water and arranged urgent transport to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for immediate care.

At Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, emergency department doctor Nazrul Islam examined Das before referral to Dhaka. Islam said Das had multiple injuries, including a serious abdominal wound and burns on the face, back of the head and hands. As the condition worsened, doctors decided to transfer Das to the National Burn Institute later that night for specialised treatment.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: family accounts and demand for justice

Relatives said the attack happened without warning and that Das had no known disputes. Das's nephew-in-law, Pranto Das, told ANI that family members wanted a thorough probe and punishment for those involved. Pranto said the family feared that, without quick arrests, some attackers might manage to escape legal action.

Das’s wife, Seema Das, said the family could not understand why the businessman was targeted. "My husband, who is a businessman, was entering the house when he was attacked by a mob gasoline and was set on fire. He is a patient man who leads a peaceful life. He has no enmity with anyone, and we are unable to understand the motive behind the attack," she said.

Hindu businessman mob attack in Bangladesh: recent violence against minority community

The killing of Das came amid rising concern over attacks on members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Rights groups and minority organisations pointed to recent mob violence cases involving blasphemy and extortion allegations, which left Hindu individuals dead in different districts. Political and religious figures in Bangladesh and India condemned these events.

Two recent incidents drew particular attention. In Mymensingh, garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges. In a separate case in Rajbari, another Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was lynched after an extortion allegation. These cases were widely covered in Bangladeshi media.

Incident	Victim	Location	Allegation
Stabbing and burning of Hindu businessman	Khokon Chandra Das	Damudya, Shariatpur	Not stated
Mob killing over blasphemy claim	Dipu Chandra Das	Mymensingh	Alleged blasphemy
Lynching over extortion claim	Amrit Mondal	Rajbari	Alleged extortion

These killings triggered outrage from minority groups, civil society activists and community leaders in both Bangladesh and India, who called for stronger protection and fair investigations. For now, Das’s case remained under police probe, with officers seeking Rabbi, Sohag and any other suspects while the family awaited justice and the safe return of the body to Tiloi village.