The Press Wing of the Chief Advisor's Office in Bangladesh has alleged that a theft-related incident in Natore has been misreported by certain Indian media outlets, including Press Trust of India (PTI), as an act of communal violence. The event involved the death of a man named Tarun Kumar Das, who was a follower of the Hindu faith. The allegations claim that PTI and other outlets disseminated the news without proper verification.

In a post on its verified Facebook page, "CA Press Wing Facts," the Chief Advisor's Press Wing stated that PTI initially published the news, reportedly citing a video shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by Radha Raman Das, a spokesperson for ISKCON Kolkata. The PTI report subsequently spread to other Indian media outlets such as Hindustan Times and The Indian Express.

The Press Wing pointed out that the news was released without consulting Bangladeshi authorities, Hindu leaders, or the victim’s family members. The lack of verification and cross-checking before publication raised concerns about journalistic responsibility.

Commenting on the incident, Hrishikesh Gauranga Das, a member of ISKCON Bangladesh's Executive Committee, criticized the misrepresentation of the event. He emphasized that labeling the death as a communal killing without evidence is irresponsible and could harm the harmony between communities in Bangladesh. He called for accurate and verified reporting by media organizations, especially in sensitive matters.

The victim, Tarun Kumar Das, was found dead in the Mahashashan Ghat in Natore’s Sadar upazila on Saturday. His body was recovered by the police with his hands and feet tied. Initial investigations by law enforcement indicate that Das may have been killed while attempting to thwart a theft. Police believe unidentified thieves were attempting to steal items from a storeroom located within the cremation grounds when Das tried to intervene.

According to law enforcement, several brass plates were reportedly stolen from the storeroom. Natore Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Mahbubur Rahman stated that initial evidence suggests the involvement of drug-addicted individuals attempting a robbery. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify all potential motives behind the crime.

Local religious leaders have corroborated the findings, noting that Das had been mentally unstable for a long time and had been residing in the cremation grounds for some time. Satya Narayan Roy Tipu, the general secretary of the cremation committee, clarified that Das was neither a committee member nor a priest. He further confirmed that Das had no affiliations with ISKCON or any other religious organization.

In his remarks, Tipu dismissed the notion of communal motives behind the incident, asserting that the situation appeared to be related to theft rather than sectarian violence.

Bangladesh Police reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident. They emphasized their commitment to uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable.

The Chief Advisor's Press Wing expressed concerns that unverified and exaggerated news reports could jeopardize Bangladesh’s longstanding communal harmony. It also urged media outlets, both domestic and international, to adopt responsible reporting practices and verify information thoroughly before publication.