Bangladesh: Police arrest one for illegally occupying residence, vandalizing idols of Hindu man in Rajshahi

The arrested person was identified as  Md Altaf Ali, 52, of Jotarghu village.

Rajshahi district Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Rafiqul Islam said in a press release that the victim, who was identified as   Sri Rup Sanatan Dob, 50, a resident of Jotarghu village, had travelled to India on August 2.

The accused had reportedly broken into the house of the Hindu community member while he was still in India on August 5 when Bangladesh was witnessing a political violence that led to the fall of former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government.

The arrested person had looted Tk46,000 from a steel box in the bedroom and even vandalized religious idols in the house.

The accused and his accomplices also attacked Dob's aunt with bamboo sticks, injuring her severely, reported Dhaka Tribune.

During the attack, the arrested individual and his accomplices desecrated the family temple by damaging the idols and a sacred tulsi plant altar.

They even took control of the house and the adjacent land which belonged to the Hindu person.

Police launched raids after a report was filed and the accused was arrested on September 9 from Adani Bazar.

Police are trying to find the other suspects involved in the crime.

Several Hindu houses and temples were attacked by radicals when Hasina-led government toppled amid violent protests against her regime last month.