Ancient Vishnu Statue Recovered as Smuggling Plot Foiled

In a significant breakthrough for the preservation of national heritage, a specialised team from RAB-10 (Rapid Action Battalion) has recovered a massive ancient statue of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu in Faridpur. The operation, conducted on Sunday evening, 18 January 2026, resulted in the seizure of a black stone idol weighing a remarkable 118 kilograms and the arrest of a suspect involved in an illicit antiquity trade.

The Operation and Discovery

Acting on a confidential tip-off, the Faridpur RAB camp launched a targeted raid at approximately 6:30 pm in the village of Buraich Madhyapara, located within the Buraich Union of Alphadanga Upazila. The high-value artefact was found concealed within a thicket near a pond.

The owner of the pond, identified as Saddam Mollah (32), was apprehended at the scene. Initial interrogations revealed a staggering disparity between the black-market acquisition price and the intended resale value. Mollah reportedly confessed to purchasing the statue for Tk 30 lakh from an undisclosed source, with plans to offload it to an organised smuggling syndicate for a projected Tk 3 crore.

Historical Significance and Expert Verification

Major Md. Tarikul Islam, Company Commander of the Faridpur RAB Camp, emphasised the cultural weight of the find. “The idol is crafted from dense black stone, traditionally referred to as Kashti Pathar (touchstone). Given its craftsmanship and scale, it is believed to be of immense antiquity and historical importance,” he stated.

While the authorities have provided the suspect’s estimated valuation, official appraisal awaits expert intervention. The Department of Archaeology in Dhaka has been formally notified to verify the material composition and determine the true archaeological worth of the Vishnu प्रतिमा.

Artefact Specification and Case Details

Legal Proceedings

Md. Hasanat, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Alphadanga Police Station, confirmed that a case has been formally registered by RAB under the Antiquities Act. The statue currently remains in police custody under strict security protocols.

The suspect, Saddam Mollah, is scheduled to be produced before the Faridpur court on Monday, 19 January 2026, where the police are expected to seek further details regarding the origins of the statue and the wider network of smugglers involved. This recovery highlights the ongoing battle against the illegal excavation and trafficking of Bangladesh’s rich archaeological treasures.