Four members of a Hindu family were killed inside their locked home in Bangladesh’s Rangpur city, with police saying two neighbours remained inside the house overnight after the killings.

The victims were identified as retired schoolteacher Ganapati Chakraborty, 65, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50, their daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, 23, and their 12-year-old son Priyam Chakraborty.

Their bodies were recovered from their home on Saturday. Police said the victims’ faces had been burned using an inflammable substance.

According to police, the killings took place late on Thursday night after two neighbours, also Hindu, allegedly went to the rooftop of the Chakraborty family’s two-storey house in the Machuapara area to consume yaba, a methamphetamine-based drug.

Two suspects arrested

Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud said two maternal cousins, Siddhartha Das, 19, and Mugdha Das, 23, had been arrested in connection with the killings.

Police said the two men allegedly went to the family’s rooftop to consume yaba. After hearing noises upstairs, Ganapati Chakraborty went to check what was happening.

According to the police account, the suspects allegedly used a towel that Chakraborty was carrying to strangle him.

When his wife followed him after hearing the commotion, she was allegedly attacked and killed on the staircase.

The couple’s daughter also came out of her room to find out what was happening and was allegedly attacked. Police said the two suspects struggled with her for several minutes before allegedly strangling her with a rope.

The couple’s 12-year-old son was subsequently killed because the suspects allegedly feared that he could identify them, police said.

Suspects allegedly stayed overnight

Police said they believe the two suspects did not immediately leave the house after the killings.

According to the police account, the suspects allegedly stayed inside the home overnight and left the following day when the streets were relatively empty during Jummah, or Friday prayers.

During their alleged stay, the suspects reportedly bathed inside the house and took dates and cucumbers from the family’s refrigerator.

Police also said the suspects consumed drugs, which were found on a table inside the house.

Before leaving, the two men allegedly opened cupboards and drawers and scattered clothes and other belongings around the home in an apparent attempt to mislead investigators into believing that a robbery had taken place.

Gold jewellery allegedly looted

Police said gold jewellery was allegedly taken from the victims’ home. Investigators also found evidence suggesting that an attempt had been made to test a gold bangle using fire.

According to the source text, Siddhartha runs a fish business, while Mugdha works as a goldsmith.

Police said the two suspects have confessed to the killings and that gold jewellery allegedly looted from the house has been recovered.

The family’s two mobile phones were also allegedly destroyed by submerging them in water mixed with detergent, police said.

Investigators have seized date pits from inside the house and are conducting DNA testing as they continue to investigate the case.

India has criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) after the US body called for sanctions against members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s scheduled visit to the United States.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described USCIRF as a “biased organisation” and said it lacked credibility.

“It is a biased organisation. I would say that we should keep away from such organisations as they have their own agenda and lack any credibility,” Jaiswal said.

He also accused the body of making “disparaging and inflammatory remarks” about India and said the USCIRF was unlikely to engage with the country’s “pluralistic framework” or acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities.

USCIRF seeks sanctions against RSS members

USCIRF chair Asif Mahmood opposed Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming visit to the US and called on the American government to impose sanctions against the RSS. Bhagwat is scheduled to visit New York on August 29.

The US body also urged Washington not to extend diplomatic courtesies to RSS leaders. It described the RSS as an “umbrella organisation” and alleged that its sub-groups had “perpetrated attacks on religious minorities”.

USCIRF said the US government should instead focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for freedom of religious belief violations.

USCIRF’s earlier criticism of India

In its annual report released in March, USCIRF criticised India over alleged violations of religious freedom and recommended targeted sanctions against individuals and entities, including the RSS and Research and Analysis Wing.

The commission also recommended designating India as a “country of particular concern”.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government agency that makes policy recommendations to the US President, Secretary of State and Congress and tracks their implementation.

Hindu advocacy group criticises USCIRF

US-based Hindu advocacy group HinduPACT also condemned USCIRF members’ public opposition to Bhagwat’s New York visit.

Ajay Shah, founder and chair of HinduPACT, accused the commission of having “disgraced its mandate” and alleged that its chair’s remarks reflected an anti-Hindu narrative.

Shah also criticised groups including CAIR, IAMC and HfHR, alleging that they had portrayed Hindu self-assertion as extremism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 20, met Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi and discussed ways to further strengthen defence and security cooperation between India and Japan.

During the meeting, Modi outlined his vision for strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and highlighted the importance of closer defence and security ties in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

PM Modi recalls India-Japan summit discussions

During his meeting with Koizumi, Modi recalled his detailed discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in July 2026.

The prime minister also appreciated the steady momentum in defence cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Koizumi, who is on an official visit to India, called on Modi on Thursday.

Focus on defence cooperation and Make in India

Modi also highlighted opportunities for Japanese companies and startups to partner with Indian firms in the defence sector.

The discussions included possibilities for co-development and co-production under the Make in India initiative, according to the statement.

Later, Modi said in a post on X that he had an “excellent conversation” with Koizumi on deepening defence and security ties between India and Japan.

He said the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries is an important anchor for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Japan reaffirms commitment to deeper ties

Koizumi briefed Modi on the progress of bilateral defence cooperation during the meeting.

The Japanese Defence Minister also reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to deepening ties with India, the Prime Minister’s Office said.