By Admin 
- The arrest came amid rising tension over the Ram idol controversy.
Haridas Chandra Tarni Das, the man known for the construction of a proposed 81 feet tall statue of Lord Shri Ram in India’s neighboring country Bangladesh, has been arrested on money laundering charges. Bangladesh Police arrested Das from Gaibandha district late night on Sunday (July 12, 2026) and sent him to police remand.
According to the local police, Das, who proposed to build an 81 feet high idol of Lord Shri Ram in the premises of Sri Sri Radha Govind Kali Temple in Palashbari, Gaibandha, is accused of money laundering through suspicious financial transactions of Taka 9.35 crore (7.26 crore Indian rupees) in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council has confirmed the arrest of Haridas Chandra Tarni Das. Besides, the Council has also strongly condemned this action of the police. Meanwhile, after his arrest, Haridas Chandra Tarni Das has been shifted to the country’s capital Dhaka.
What did Bangladesh CID claim??
Bangladesh CID announced the arrest of Haridas after registering a case under PMLA on the basis of suspicious financial transactions. At the same time, the local police told that Haridas is also known by the name of Tauheed Islam. He came under investigation when officials found evidence of suspicious transactions in his bank accounts and MFS accounts, even though he had no legitimate source of income.
Police said that preliminary investigation has also revealed indications of alleged misappropriation of local and foreign currency and their possible links with organized crime.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, CID claimed that Das had gone to India illegally for studies and training. After returning to Bangladesh in 2010, he converted to Islam in 2019 and changed his name to Tauheed Islam.
What did Haridas say in the court on his arrest??
However, when Haridas was produced in the court after his arrest, he protested against his arrest. He said, ‘If managing the temple makes me a criminal then there is nothing I can do about it.’
He also told the court that the money which is being investigated is the money donated by the devotees. He also requested the officials to thoroughly investigate whether this money was used for any illegal activity or not.
The arrest of Haridas has come at a time when, just a few weeks ago, tension and controversy had increased in Bangladesh over the construction of an 81 feet high idol of Lord Ram in the premises of Sri Sri Radha Govind Kali Temple located in Palashbari in Gaibandha district.
Also read: Supreme Court seeks investigation report from SIT in Ram Temple offering theft case, hearing on July 20