Police recovered the bodies of a Hindu priest and his wife from a temple at Purangar union of Satkania upazila yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Swapan Dey, 60, and his wife Chinu Dey, 47, said Sub-Inspector Mizan Uddin of Satkania police.

“They were found dead inside their residential room beside Shree Shree Mogdeshwari Temple in Fakirkhil-Uttarpara area,” said the SI, adding, they suspect the couple committed suicide.

“The couple took huge amount of loan from local individuals and non-government organisations and might have committed suicide for not being able to clear the debt,” he added.

The police said devotees found the temple door closed in the morning. After waiting for long, they got suspicious, broke into the temple and found the bodies.

On information, police rushed to the temple and found the bodies lying in the room, said SI Sirajul Islam who visited the spot.

He added, “The priest and his wife might have taken poison as vomit and stink of poison were found in the room.”

The police said the priest had taken around Tk 8-9 lakh from local NGOs and at least seven people, adding that the couple has a son named Mintu who is a clothes trader in Fatikchhari upazila.

AFM Mahbubul Haque Sikder, chairman of Purangar Union Parishad, also said the priest had huge debt as he had taken money from NGOs and individuals.

The police have sent the bodies to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for autopsy.