Detained mugger claims to be Police ASI

One of the suspects caught redhanded by locals while mugging passengers of a private car in Dhaka on Tuesday has claimed to be an assistant sub-inspector of the police. The suspect and his cohort were identified as Jasim Uddin and Mithu respectively. Police officials said they have launched an investigation into the matter. The suspects are currently being detained in Sher-e-bangla Nagar Police Station. The businessman, who was targeted by the muggers, told the Bangla Tribune: “Me and my cousin were heading towards the airport area in a rented private car. Four muggers signaled the car to stop by the barricading the road with two motorcycles. “The muggers introduced themselves as policemen and snatched the car keys from the driver. They then tried to take our mobile phones by force. As we started shouting, locals came running to our help and detained two of the muggers, while two more got away.” The businessman further added: “We believed them to be policemen, but it became clear that they were trying to rob us.” Two muggers escaped with the victims’ mobile phones, and local people handed the other two suspects to the police.Bangla Tribune

---

An eyewitness told the Bangla Tribune: “As the police was putting the suspects into their van, one of them introduced himself as an assistant sub inspector of police. He even pulled out an ID card from him pocket.” “The suspects were caught in the act while mugging, along with a motorcycle without a licence plate,” he said. When approached for comment, Sher-e-bangla Nagar Police Station Inspector Sohrab Al Hossain told the Bangla Tribune: “That incident was a misunderstanding. However, as the businessman has lodged a complaint, a case will be filed. “One of the muggers named Jasim Uddin claimed that he is a former ASI of the police, and he was suspended. He is giving us conflicting statements, claiming that he received postings in both Khulna and Rajarbagh.” Meanwhile, sources said the alleged police ASI Jasim Uddin had worked for the Khulna Reserve Force. Upon initial investigation, police officials found that Jasim has been absent form his workplace for some time.   Sources inside the police said Jasim may have been leading a gang of muggers in Dhaka and another suspect Mithu is his cousin. DMP Police Additional Deputy-Commissioner (Tejgaon zone) Wahid Alam tol the Bangla Tribune: “Concerned officials have been directed to file a case. The detained suspects will be interrogated for tracking the other culprits down. Even if the suspect is a police official, he will not receive any special treatment.” However, no case has been filed over the incident till the filing of this report.This article was first published on Bangla Tribune.