2 arrested in Chattogram Kali temple theft; gold ornaments recovered

Police arrested two individuals yesterday (9 November) in connection with the theft of a significant amount of gold ornaments and cash from a centennial Kali temple in the Sadarghat area of Chattogram city.

The arrests were made during raids conducted by Chattogram's Kotwali Police Station across various parts of the city. The arrested suspects, identified as Abul Hossain and Arman Hossain, are residents of North Kattali, though they are originally from Patuakhali.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Karim confirmed the arrests, detailing how the suspects were apprehended after one gang member tried to sell the stolen gold at a jewellery shop in the Kattali area.

"The shopkeeper grew suspicious and immediately informed the police. Upon arresting and interrogating the thief, he confessed to the crime," OC Karim told The Business Standard.

Police subsequently recovered several ornaments, including two gold necklaces and two gold earrings, weighing a total of two bhori and four ana, from a location under the Kattali Overbridge.

The theft occurred in the late hours of Saturday (8 November) when the thieves reportedly gained entry into the temple by climbing onto the tin roof and breaking a glass ventilator.

The stolen items included substantial and valuable offerings to the Kali idol: a gold and a silver crown (each weighing four bhori), a pair of earrings, a two-bhori gold locket with a chain, a four-bhori silver mundamala (religious garland), and a four-ana gold locket.

Additionally, the thieves broke the temple's donation box and stole Tk1 lakh in cash contributed by devotees.