Bangladesh: Hindu man burnt to death while asleep in Narsingdi; CCTV prompts foul-play probe

A 25-year-old Hindu man, identified as Chanchal Bhowmik, was burnt to death in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi after a fire broke out while he was asleep inside a garage, according to a report citing news agency ANI. While the incident initially appeared to be an accidental blaze, investigators said surveillance footage has prompted a deeper probe into the possibility of foul play.

The local police leadership said they are reviewing CCTV footage collected from the area and that a sequence showing a person moving around near the site has been flagged as suspicious. The focus of the investigation, officials indicated, is to determine whether the fire was triggered by an external act or whether it began because of an electrical fault. The fire is said to have originated inside the shop where Bhowmik was sleeping.

Fire service personnel reportedly had to break open the shutter to reach the victim, but by the time they were able to access the premises, his body had been charred beyond recognition. Police said the case remains under investigation and that, as of Sunday, 25 January 2026, no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

The report said the incident comes at a time of heightened concern over minority security in Bangladesh, with political temperatures rising ahead of national elections scheduled for 12 February 2026. Authorities have not publicly named suspects, and investigators are expected to continue examining forensic indicators and additional footage to reconstruct events around the time of the fire.

For residents and community groups, the next steps will likely depend on whether investigators conclude the blaze was an accident, negligence or deliberate arson. Police have indicated the inquiry is still open on all possibilities, and any subsequent arrests or charges would be based on what the CCTV analysis and other evidence establish.