Claims have been circulating on social media suggesting that Shibu Banik, a Hindu businessman from Bauphal Upazila in Patuakhali, Bangladesh, was kidnapped and robbed by extremists in a religiously motivated hate crime. However, these allegations are misleading and Snot supported by verified reports.
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter) propaganda account @HinduVoice_in wrote, These 5 Islamists abducted Hindu businessman Shibu Banik(72) from Kalaiya market under the jurisdiction of Baufal Police Station of #Potuakhali district. Arrested Islamists are identified as 1. Masud Sharif, 2. Jahir Piyada, 3. Muhammad Bidhan, 4. Miraj and 5. Mahfuj.
#Bangladesh
— Hindu Voice (@HinduVoice_in) January 7, 2025
These 5 Islamists abducted Hindu businessman Shibu Banik(72) from Kalaiya market under the jurisdiction of Baufal Police Station of #Potuakhali district.
Arrested Islamists are identified as 1. Masud Sharif, 2. Jahir Piyada, 3. Muhammad Bidhan, 4. Miraj and 5.… pic.twitter.com/WWGroiClYf
Another account @SanatanVoice_in share CCTV visuals of the kidnaping and wrote, “Last night, Islamists attacked the business establishment of Shibananda Roy Banik in the Kalaiya Bazar area of #Patuakhali district. They looted goods worth approximately 500,000 BDT and abducted the shop owner, Shibu Banik.”
Last night, Islamists attacked the business establishment of Shibananda Roy Banik in the Kalaiya Bazar area of #Patuakhali district. They looted goods worth approximately 500,000 BDT and abducted the shop owner, Shibu Banik.#SaveBangladeshiHindus#HindusUnderAttackInBangladesh pic.twitter.com/jbWrqNrYYW
— Sanatan Voice 🇧🇩 (@SanatanVoice_in) January 4, 2025
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also shared visuals and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @VHindus71, @hindu8789, @bloody_media.
The truth behind the claims about Shibu Banik kidnap, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the incident. We found that the incident was not related to religious hate crimes against the Hindu community.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches, which led us to media reports regarding the incident. According to reports (1, 2,), the incident took place on January 3, 2025, when Shibu Banik was abducted. Following swift action by law enforcement, he was rescued on January 5, 2025. Investigations revealed that the crime was not motivated by religious hatred but was likely a targeted act for personal or financial reasons. The arrested suspects, identified as Masud Sharif, Miraj Mridha, Zahid Pyaada, Bidhan Mistry (son of Gokul Chandra Mistry), and Md Mahfuz, are currently facing legal proceedings. Importantly, one of the accused, Bidhan Mistry, belongs to the Hindu community, further confirming that the incident was not related to communal or religious hatred.
Therefore, verified sources make it clear that Shibu Banik’s kidnapping was not linked to his religious identity. The involvement of one of the accused, Bidhan Mistry, who is also from the Hindu community, further confirms that the incident was not driven by religious or communal motives.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 7, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims are circulating alleging that a Hindu businessman,Shibu Banik,was kidnapped and money was stolen from his establishment by extremists in the Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. But, this incident is not linked to religious hate crimes.(1/3) pic.twitter.com/onHFpbcMBu
Intent
Influencers are circulating videos from Bangladesh with misleading claims to set their narrative based on religion.
Conclusion
Claim– A Hindu businessman Shibu Banik was kidnapped by extremists in Bangladesh’s Patuakhali.
Fact– The kidnapping was not related to religious hate crimes. One of the accused was from the Hindu community.
Related Article: Fact Check: Amid ongoing violence in Bangladesh, old photo of unconscious Hindu man resurfaced as recent incident – D-Intent Data
