Man released after being made to offer 100 rak'ahs prayer over goose theft

A young man accused of stealing geese in Bhola's Lalmohan upazila was released by local residents after being made to perform 100 rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayers and repent, instead of being handed over to police.

The incident took place on Thursday night in the West Kishoreganj Government Primary School area under Farazganj Union.

According to local residents, a series of thefts involving poultry and other household items had recently occurred in the area. On Thursday night, they allegedly caught a young man, identified as Nazim, red-handed while attempting to steal two geese.

Residents claimed that after being detained, Nazim admitted his wrongdoing and apologised, promising that he would never steal again.

Instead of assaulting him or handing him over to police, locals instructed him to perform 100 rak'ahs of nafl prayers as an act of repentance. After completing the prayers and formally seeking forgiveness, he was released into the custody of his family.

The owner of the geese, Emran Hossain Rakib, said the birds were cherished by his family. He added that thanks to the intervention of local residents, the stolen geese were recovered and the accused was given an opportunity to repent through a religious act rather than being subjected to physical abuse.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Oliul Islam of Lalmohan Police Station said the incident had not been reported to the police. He added that police patrols remain active at night to prevent crime and maintain law and order in the area.