A sophisticated attempt to traffic a priceless piece of Bengal’s history was thwarted on Sunday evening when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) intercepted a massive ancient statue in Faridpur. The recovery of the 118-kilogram Vishnu idol, carved from rare black stone, has cast a spotlight on the lucrative and illegal trade of antiquities in the region.
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The Midnight Sting in Alphadanga
Following a period of covert surveillance based on a confidential tip-off, the RAB-10 Faridpur camp launched a raid at 6:30 pm in the village of Buraich Madhyapara. Officers discovered the monumental deity hidden within a thicket adjacent to a local pond.
The authorities subsequently arrested the pond’s owner, Saddam Mollah (32), who provided a startling confession regarding the financial scale of the operation. Mollah revealed that he had acquired the statue for Tk 30 lakh and was in active negotiations with a smuggling ring to offload the piece for Tk 3 crore.
Forensic and Archaeological Scrutiny
While law enforcement has focused on the criminal element, the historical community is eager to assess the artefact’s origin. Major Md. Tarikul Islam, Company Commander of the RAB unit, noted that the idol is believed to be made of Kashti Pathar (touchstone), a material synonymous with high-value ancient sculpture in the subcontinent.
The Department of Archaeology in Dhaka has been tasked with a formal evaluation to confirm the stone’s authenticity and determine the statue’s era.
Case Summary: Asset and Suspect Details
| Feature | Specification |
| Object of Interest | Ancient Vishnu Statue |
| Material Composition | Presumed Black Touchstone |
| Mass | 118 kg |
| Primary Suspect | Saddam Mollah (32) |
| Reported Cost Price | Tk 30,00,000 |
| Estimated Black Market Value | Tk 3,00,00,000 |
| Current Custodian | Alphadanga Police Station |
Legal Consequences and Heritage Protection
Md. Hasanat, the Officer-in-Charge of Alphadanga Police Station, confirmed that the statue is being held as evidence under strict security. A prosecution has been initiated under the Antiquities Act, a stringent law designed to protect the nation’s cultural property from unauthorised trade and export.
The suspect is due to be produced in court today, Monday, 19 January 2026. This successful recovery highlights the critical role of intelligence-led policing in preventing the permanent loss of Bangladesh’s archaeological legacy to international collectors.