Hindu Man Burned Alive in Bangladesh; Seventh Death in Weeks Raises Alarm.

Bangladesh: Garage worker Chanchal Bhowmik was burned to death in Narsingdi; everything was captured on video footage.

Birendra Rana | New Delhi | Jan 25, 2026:: A 23-year-old Hindu man was burned alive in a brutal incident in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district late on Friday night, January 23, marking yet another killing in a disturbing series of violent attacks against members of the Hindu minority in the country over recent weeks.

The victim has been identified as Chanchal Bhowmik, also known as Ranjan, a mechanic by profession who had been working at a local garage for the past six years. According to reports, Chanchal was asleep inside the garage when the attack occurred.

Shutter Closed, Petrol Poured, Shop Set Ablaze

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attacker deliberately shut the garage’s shutter from the outside, poured petrol or diesel like substance inside the premises, and then set the structure on fire. Locals stated that the assailant remained outside as the fire spread, ensuring that Chanchal was unable to escape, before fleeing the scene once the flames engulfed the shop. The perpetration was caught in CCTV camera footage.

By the time neighbours noticed the blaze and rushed to help, it was already too late. Chanchal was burned alive inside the locked structure.

Police Probe Underway

Narsingdi Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Faruque confirmed that an investigation is underway. He stated that authorities are examining all possibilities, including whether the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit or external factors. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident have raised serious questions, particularly due to reports of the shutter being closed from the outside.

No arrests have been announced so far.

Sole Breadwinner of a Struggling Family

Chanchal Bhowmik was the sole breadwinner of his family. Following the death of his father, he had taken on the responsibility of caring for his ailing mother, a physically disabled elder brother, and a younger sibling. He lived close to the garage where he worked and was known in the neighbourhood as a quiet and hardworking individual.

Neighbours and the garage owner described him as honest, soft-spoken, and without any known personal disputes or enemies. His sudden and violent death has left the family devastated and without any immediate means of support.

Family members and members of the local Hindu community believe the attack may have been premeditated, and many have expressed suspicions that it could have been motivated by religious hatred, given the recent pattern of similar crimes.

Growing Pattern of Violence Against Bengali Hindus

The killing of Chanchal Bhowmik is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh in recent weeks, prompting concern among minority rights observers.

On December 31, Khokon Das, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman from Shariatpur district, was reportedly stabbed, beaten, doused with petrol, and set on fire. In another incident earlier, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was allegedly beaten to death by a mob, after which his body was burned and hung from a roadside tree.

These incidents together point to a deeply troubling trend, with multiple cases involving extreme brutality, arson, and public violence.

Community Fear and Calls for Justice

The latest killing has heightened fear among Hindu families in Narsingdi and beyond. Community members have called for a transparent and time-bound investigation, strict punishment for those responsible, and stronger measures to ensure the safety of religious minorities.

As authorities continue their probe, the death of Chanchal Bhowmik has become a grim symbol of the vulnerability faced by minority communities in Bangladesh, raising urgent questions about security, accountability, and justice.
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Inputs from Agencies includinh Nikhad Khabor.