Bangladeshi condemned criminal held in Delhi

Delhi Police has arrested a fugitive Bangladeshi national who fled to India after he was sentenced to death for killing a man in Bagerhat in 2005.

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police arrested Masoom from Khanpur locality of the Indian capital, said Shibesh Singh, additional commissioner (Crime) of Police in Delhi, without specifying the time of the arrest.

Police sources said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has been contacted for Masoom's possible deportation, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Sources of the Bangladesh High Commission yesterday told The Daily Star that the officer in the mission handling consular matters was aware of the arrest but there was no official communication from the Indian authorities in this regard so far.

Bhisham Singh, Delhi's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), told The Times of India that a man named Sarbar helped Masoom reach India and sheltered him.

After Sarbar went missing years ago, Masoom married his wife and was using his identity as well, sources said.

A special task force under Assistant Commissioner of Police Pankaj Singh is investigating if Masoom was involved in any criminal activity in India.

During interrogation, Masoom reportedly admitted to abducting and killing Jahidul Islam of Moddho Nalbuniya Bazar in Bangladesh's Bagherhat in 2005.

According to the Times of India, Jahidul's body was found a few days after his abduction and all the accused were arrested and put on trial. Masoom was found guilty and sentenced to death in 2013.

According to Shibesh Singh, Masoom went to India after jumping parole in Bangladesh and went to Bengaluru to work at a scrap warehouse with Sarbar.

Masoom often visited Delhi and was in touch with business acquaintances in Seemapuri locality in east Delhi and Sangam Vihar area of south Delhi for the sale and purchase of scraps.

The Delhi Police was tipped off about him and kept him under watch before his arrest. A pistol and two cartridges were recovered from Masoom, added Shibesh Singh.

An FIR has been lodged against Masoom under the Foreigners Act and the Arms Act, said Bhisham Singh.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Pankoj Chandra Roy said they have heard that Masoom has been arrested in India, but they are yet to receive any official letter in this regard. "We are inquiring into the matter and will take all necessary steps," he told The Daily Star over phone.