Missing Chandpur gold trader, family found in Ctg as police seek answers over disappearance

Police have traced Chandpur gold trader Pintu Das, his wife and their two children to Chattogram after the family had been out of contact for several days, ending speculation over their sudden disappearance.

The four were found at a house in Fatikchhari Upazila early on Friday and taken into police custody, according to Gazi Kalam, a sub-inspector at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station who led the operation.

“We had been conducting operations for the past two days and eventually traced [Pintu],” Kalam said.

“[Pintu] and the three other members of his family were taken into custody from a house in Fatikchhari. They are being brought back to Chandpur.”

The operation was carried out around 5am.

Pintu’s mobile phone had been switched off and his jewellery shop closed since Aug 19. Relatives also lost contact with his wife and children around the same time, prompting reports that the family was missing.

The case drew widespread attention in Chandpur and on social media, with speculation growing over why the family had disappeared.

Several traders later claimed that Pintu owed them money and gold, prompting police to investigate whether financial dealings or a business dispute might have been involved.

Police eventually received information that the family was in Chattogram and traced them to Fatikchhari, where Pintu is originally from.

He has lived in Chandpur for many years and has relatives there.

Pintu initially worked at a jewellery shop before going into business himself. Traders said he opened a shop at Akhand Market around five or six months ago after previously doing business for several years in Jorpukurpar and New Market.

Police have not yet said why the family left Chandpur or whether they had gone into hiding.

Kalam said more details were expected after questioning.

“More information about what happened over the past few days may emerge once they are questioned,” he said.