Eight people have been arrested in connection with the burglary at Karushree Jewellers in Rajshahi’s Shaheb Bazar, with police recovering 26 bhori of gold, 62 bhori of silver and Tk25 lakh allegedly obtained from the sale of stolen gold.
The arrests include seven people accused of carrying out the burglary and a gold trader suspected of purchasing stolen jewellery. One of the seven alleged burglars was arrested in Khulna, while the other six were detained in different parts of Dhaka. The gold trader, identified as 45-year-old Robiul Hasan, was subsequently arrested in Dhaka based on information provided by the other suspects.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Gaziur Rahman disclosed the details at a press conference on Thursday (10 September).
According to police, the group had spent around four months surveying Shaheb Bazar before carrying out the burglary. Members allegedly stayed at different hotels while posing at times as traders and at other times as customers. They observed Karushree Jewellers and the surrounding area, identifying both a route into the premises and a possible escape route.
The burglary took place in the early hours of 19 June. Police said a group of 10 to 12 people gathered outside Karushree Jewellers as part of a pre-arranged plan. They reportedly created a crowd by setting up temporary stalls selling various goods near the jewellery shop.
The group then allegedly opened the lock of a neighbouring jewellery shop and entered the premises. From there, they cut through the western wall of Karushree Jewellers and gained access to the main shop.
Once inside, the burglars reportedly broke into the safe and took a large quantity of gold and silver, along with cash. According to the first information report filed by shop owner Turya Sarker, the stolen goods included around 200 bhori of gold, 2,200 bhori of silver, three boxes of gold nose rings and Tk20 lakh in cash.
Turya Sarker subsequently filed a case with Boalia Model Police Station over the burglary.
The investigation brought together the metropolitan police’s Detective Branch, cyber unit and closed-circuit television unit. Investigators used information technology, surveillance footage and intelligence to identify members of the suspected group and trace their movements.
Police described the suspects as highly cautious in their efforts to conceal their identities. Investigators said members of the group avoided using the same mobile phone more than once and relied on SIM cards registered in other people’s names. In some cases, the individuals whose names appeared on the SIM registrations were reportedly unaware that the numbers had been registered in their names.
The group also allegedly moved frequently from one location to another rather than remaining in one place for an extended period. Investigators believe their prolonged presence in Rajshahi before the burglary formed part of their preparation for the operation.
On the night of 8 September, police arrested 64-year-old Rustam Ali Sheikh from Khulna. He is from Shehlabunia Morshed Road village in Mongla police station area of Bagerhat.
Based on information obtained from him, police subsequently conducted operations in different parts of Dhaka and arrested six more people. They were identified as Swapan, 62, and Ujjal, 37, both from Madhabpura (Mailyarhat) village in Bhandaria, Pirojpur; Riaz Suman, also known as Gedu, 39, from the same area; Abu Taleb, 45, from Khontakata (Jimtala) village in Sharankhola, Bagerhat; Kalam Sheikh, 48, from East Khontakata in the same police station area; and Yunus, 45, from Madhabpura (Mailyarhat) village in Bhandaria.
Police then arrested Robiul Hasan in Dhaka following information provided by the detained suspects. Officers recovered 26 bhori of stolen gold, 62 bhori of silver and Tk25 lakh from his possession. Police said the cash represented proceeds from the sale of stolen gold.
Robiul, the son of Rafiq Uddin of Sarkar Bari Boro Nikhola village in Kachua, Chandpur, reportedly became ill following his arrest. He was subsequently admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital under police guard.
The investigation remains under way. Police said efforts are continuing to recover the remaining stolen valuables and identify and arrest others who may have been involved in the burglary.
The eight detainees are due to be produced before a court on Thursday, when police are expected to seek seven days’ remand for each of them. The proposed remand is intended to assist the investigation into the burglary, the movement of the stolen valuables and the alleged purchase and sale of the stolen gold.
The recovery so far represents only part of the property reported stolen in the case. Investigators are therefore continuing to trace the remaining gold, silver and other valuables and establish how the stolen items were distributed after the burglary.
