Hindu gold trader hacked to death outside home, gold and cash allegedly stolen

A gold trader has been hacked to death by unidentified assailants while returning home after closing his shop in Mahadebpur, Naogaon. The victim, identified as Alif Chandra Dutta, 45, was allegedly carrying around six bhori of gold and Tk 700,000 in cash, which were reportedly taken during the attack, according to his family.

The attack took place at around 8.30pm on Monday (7 September) in the Dulalpara area, outside the victim’s home. He was seriously injured in the assault and later died while receiving treatment at hospital.

Alif Chandra Dutta was the son of the late Sunil Chandra Dutta of Dulalpara village. He ran a gold jewellery shop called Dutta Jewellers in Mahadebpur market.

According to police and local residents, Alif closed his shop at around 8pm, as he did every day, and set off for home on his motorcycle. When he reached near his house about half an hour later, several assailants who were allegedly waiting there attacked him.

The attackers struck him on the head with a sharp weapon, leaving him seriously injured and causing him to fall to the ground. Local residents said the assailants then took the gold and cash he was carrying before fleeing the scene.

Family members and local residents later rescued Alif and took him to Mahadebpur Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. He later died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The incident has caused fear and concern in the area. Questions have also been raised over how the attackers knew that the gold trader was carrying gold and a large amount of cash after closing his shop, and whether they had prior information about his movements.

The victim’s family claimed that Alif was carrying approximately six bhori of gold and Tk 700,000 in cash. Police said, however, that the exact amount of gold and money involved, as well as how they were taken, would have to be established through the investigation.

Law enforcement authorities are also investigating whether the attack was carried out solely as a robbery or whether it may have been linked to previous enmity or another motive.

Mahadebpur Police Station officer-in-charge Omar Faruk said an investigation had begun and police were conducting operations to identify and arrest those involved.

He said investigators were looking into whether it was simply a robbery or whether the killing was connected to previous enmity.

Police are continuing efforts to identify those responsible and take legal action against them.