A police constable assigned to the Chapainawabganj district police force has drawn severe scrutiny following allegations that he intercepted and looted a high-value consignment of gold worth millions of taka under the guise of an official operation. Shortly after the incident came to light, the accused officer proceeded on a month-long leave and departed for his home village.
The accused officer has been identified as Constable Zakir Hossain, whose ancestral home is located in Debipur village within the Durgapur upazila of Rajshahi district. While the episode has sparked intense discussions and quiet shockwaves within local law enforcement ranks, no formal disciplinary action or administrative measures have been initiated against him thus far.
According to details emerging from the allegations, the heist occurred on the afternoon of 8 August near the Kaliganj Bridge spanning the Mara Pagla River in the Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj. A Rajshahi-based jeweller named Nijhum recounted the sequence of events, explaining that his family operates a gold trading establishment in the city. Their business model involves acquiring precious metals when market prices dip and subsequently dispatching custom orders to jewellers and clients operating outside the district.
The victim alleged that the shipment was intercepted while en route to fulfil an external delivery order. He claimed that the operation was executed through a pre-arranged conspiracy involving Constable Zakir, alongside the courier carrying the consignment—who happens to be the victim’s brother-in-law, Mohammad Ali—and a nephew named Nayan. Because of the direct familial involvement of his own relatives in the alleged setup, the businessman initially faced severe obstacles in lodging a formal criminal case. Despite sustained efforts following the incident, he has been unable to recover the seized valuables.
When questioned about the allegations, Constable Zakir acknowledged that he was present near the Kaliganj Bridge over the Mara Pagla River on the afternoon in question. However, he vehemently denied any involvement in the theft, asserting that the jeweller was maliciously attempting to implicate him without cause. Attempts to reach the courier, Mohammad Ali, for comment proved unsuccessful; the line was abruptly disconnected the moment the individual realised he was speaking with a journalist.
Local policing authorities have maintained a cautious stance in the absence of a formal petition. Ekramul Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station, stated that no official complaint regarding the incident had been filed and that he remained entirely unaware of the matter.
Similarly, Additional Superintendent of Police ANM Wasim Firoz, serving as the spokesperson for the district police, reiterated that local authorities had received no formal notice or grievance, adding that an investigation would commence if a formal complaint were lodged. Meanwhile, a senior police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged that departmental circles were aware of the incident, confirming that Constable Zakir had abruptly secured a month-long leave and left for his village home before any formal legal proceedings could be set in motion.
