Pintu Das, owner of SK Shilpalay at Akhand Market in Chandpur city, his wife Rimi Das, and their two sons, Priyam Das and Rupam Das, both Class 10 students, have reportedly remained untraceable since August 20, according to relatives.
The incident has raised concern among customers who had pledged gold with Pintu, with some alleging that he may have gone into hiding with the jewelry.
Police, however, said they are yet to determine whether Pintu and his family are genuinely missing or have deliberately gone into hiding and are trying to trace them.
Upoma De, a close relative of Pintu and a resident of Guakhola Road in Chandpur city, said the family had been living in a rented house and that Pintu was facing financial difficulties.
She said they had received allegations that several people had pledged gold jewelry with him and that the family had not been found since August 20.
Several customers have also come forward seeking the return of their pledged jewelry.
Russell Khan of Raghunathpur in Chandpur Sadar upazila said he had pledged around 2.5 bhori of gold jewelry with Pintu in exchange for Tk 50,000.
He said that when he went to return the money and collect his jewelry on August 20, he found both Pintu’s shop and residence locked. Russell later submitted a written complaint to Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station.
Other customers also alleged that they had pledged gold jewelry with Pintu and expressed concern over recovering their valuables.
According to local residents, Pintu had changed his business location several times before opening SK Shilpalay at Akhand Market around five to six months ago.
Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station officials said no member of Pintu’s family had filed a general diary regarding their disappearance.
Officer-in-Charge Foyez Ahmed said police were investigating whether the family had gone into hiding due to financial liabilities and allegations involving pledged gold, or whether there was another reason behind their disappearance.
Police said efforts are underway to locate Pintu and his family and determine the circumstances surrounding their sudden disappearance.
