Three including mastermind arrested in Tk 1.21 crore filling station robbery

RAB has arrested three including the main planner and implementer in the robbery of Tk 1 crore 21 lakh from DL Filling Station in the airport area of the capital. Tk 48 lakh was recovered in this operation. Earlier Tk 12 lakh was recovered from another accused arrested by DB police. A total of Tk 60 lakh has been recovered out of the robbed amount.

RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Wing Commander M Z M Intehab Chowdhury confirmed these at a press conference at RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar of the capital on Thursday (August 20).

The arrested persons are main planner of the robbery Hakim, insider informer Kawser and main implementer Jalil Molla.

RAB said Tk 1 crore 21 lakh of DL Filling Station was being taken to the bank in a covered van around 10:30am on August 9. When the covered van reached in front of Crown Plaza under Airport thana an armed dacoit team coming on three motorcycles stopped it and looted the money bags before fleeing.

Investigation revealed that Kawser knew about the large weekly bank deposits from the filling station due to his frequent visits. Later he met Hakim in jail and after Hakim came out on bail the two planned the robbery. As per the plan Hakim, Kawser and Jalil conducted recon of the filling station area one week before the incident. Later several other associates were involved to complete the robbery.

Regarding the share of the looted money RAB said Jalil got Tk 53 lakh while Sagar Borak and Mustafiz got Tk 14 lakh each and several associates got Tk 10 lakh each. However the shares of Hakim and Kawser remained deposited with Jalil.

Wing Commander Intehab Chowdhury said Hakim was arrested on August 16, Kawser on August 17 and Jalil from Kaptai in Rangamati on August 18. Later based on information given by Jalil RAB recovered Tk 48 lakh from Ashulia. Besides three foreign pistols, three magazines, two rounds of bullets, two handcuffs and one wireless set were seized from Hakim.

Citing primary interrogation RAB officer said Jalil has also confessed his involvement in the Tk 17 lakh dollar robbery in Motijheel about two and a half months ago. Whether anyone else is involved in this ring is being looked into.

Highlighting the overall activities of the force it was said that among 104 arms recovered in the last one month 65 are local and 39 are foreign firearms. A total of 60 people have been arrested in connection with these arms recoveries. This strict stance of RAB will continue to ensure public safety and rule of law.

Responding to a question regarding the process of abolishing RAB and forming a new force Wing Commander Intehab Chowdhury said the new law is not merely a matter of name change. It has clarified the organisational structure of the force and the issue of overall accountability. If any member gets involved in wrongdoing or corruption he will be strictly brought under the law irrespective of rank.

Regarding ongoing legal processes against RAB members he clarified that the cases pending against current members will continue under the existing rules even if a new force is formed. RAB is providing full cooperation in implementing any direction of the government and the judiciary in this regard.