A long-absconding accused facing multiple criminal charges, including serious allegations of violence and sexual offences, has been arrested by police in a targeted operation in Netrokona’s Barhatta upazila.
The detainee, identified as Manik (35), son of Bazlur Rahman from Naihati village under Barhatta upazila, was apprehended late on Sunday night from an area within Netrokona district town. Law enforcement officials confirmed that he had been evading arrest in connection with a series of cases pending before the courts.
According to police, Manik is named in at least nine separate cases, which include allegations of assault, rape, and proceedings under the Speedy Trial Act. He is also subject to two active arrest warrants in cases related to attempted murder.
Barhatta Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Champak, stated that the arrest was made following a coordinated intelligence-led operation supported by information technology surveillance. Authorities had previously attempted to detain him during a raid conducted on 8 May, but he managed to escape by exploiting gaps in police movement and local terrain familiarity.
Police further revealed that after evading arrest in the earlier operation, Manik allegedly retaliated violently. In a separate incident, he is accused of attacking Sikul, the complainant in one of the cases, inflicting serious injuries with a sharp weapon. The attack is believed to have been carried out in response to police efforts to apprehend him, raising further concerns over witness intimidation and escalating criminal conduct.
Law enforcement officials have described him as a “high-risk fugitive” due to the number and nature of cases filed against him. He is currently in custody and is expected to be produced before the court, where investigators will seek remand for further interrogation.
Overview of Cases Against the Accused
| Case Type / Charge | Number of Cases | Current Status / Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Assault-related offences | Included in 9 | Under trial in various courts |
| Allegations of rape | Included in 9 | Sub judice |
| Speedy Trial Act cases | Included in 9 | Ongoing proceedings |
| Attempted murder | 2 cases | Active arrest warrants issued |
| Attack on complainant (Sikul) | 1 incident | Separate criminal case under investigation |
Police officials have indicated that further interrogation may reveal additional connections or accomplices linked to his long period of evasion. Security has also been tightened in the area to prevent any possible retaliatory incidents.
The arrest is being viewed as a significant breakthrough for local law enforcement in addressing a series of violent crimes that had remained unresolved due to the suspect’s prolonged absence from the judicial process.