Robbery on moving bus: Detectives arrest 8

Detectives arrested eight persons who allegedly tortured and robbed Shafiqul Islam, a resident physician at a Tangail hospital, and other passengers on a moving bus on January 20.

They were arrested from Dhaka and nearby areas yesterday with four knives, three scarfs and some iron bars, AKM Hafiz Akhter, additional commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told a press conference today.

The arrestees are: Naimur Rahman, Abu Zafar, Sajib Mia, Zahurul Islam, Al Amin, Dilip alias Sohel, Alamin, and Shahnewaz Bhuiyan.

The robbery on a Dhaka-Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj bus generated much criticism after the physician took to social media to share his eight-hour ordeal and lack of cooperation from police.  

The robbers tied Shafiqul's hands, legs, and blindfolded him, after he boarded the bus in Dhaka's Abdullahpur to go to Tangail.

He alleged that Uttara West and Jatrabari police stations tried to pass on responsibility and denied to record any case after the incident.

Those who did not record the case after the incident did wrong, Hafiz said, replying to a query at today's briefing.

In such cases, the nearby police station -- where the victim feels convenient -- should record the case, he said.

"Incidents of police stations avoiding responsibilities have happened before. We are working on it. We talked to the top officials of the concerned units to address the issues," he said replying to another query.

Dr Shafiqul, the victim, finally filed a case with Uttara West Police Station against 8-10 unnamed persons last night.

Hafiz said the robbers rented the bus that day to take passengers and commit robbery.

Meanwhile, detectives arrested eight robbers impersonating DB officials from Mohammadpur are yesterday.

All of them were arrested for similar offences earlier but reengaged in the crimes after coming out of jail on bail, detectives said.