Robbery at businessman’s home in Savar: Police yet to register case even after 45 hours

Around 45 hours after an alleged armed robbery at the house of a local businessman in Hemayetpur's Joynabari area of Savar, police have not yet registered a case over the incident.

According to the victim, Haji Md Shahjahan Mia, robbers broke into his second-floor flat in a five-storey building at Joynabari, around 3am on Wednesday. The gang allegedly looted Tk10-15 lakh in cash and about 50 bhori of gold ornaments after holding the family at gunpoint.

Shahjahan Mia said despite repeated attempts, Savar police refused to record a case. Teams from police and RAB have already visited his house on Wednesday after he informed them of the incident. But when the police were contacted Thursday, they showed indifference to register a case.

"When my son contacted Sub-Inspector Mujibur Rahman around 12:30pm today [Thursday], he said we had no clue to provide. I told him we could file the case against unknown individuals since the robbers blindfolded us, but he replied, 'What will happen if we file a case against unknown people?'" Shahjahan told The Business Standard.

Md Imran Hossain Anik, Shahjahan's eldest son, said SI Mujibur dismissed their request, saying there was no basis for filing a case without leads.

However, SI Mujibur Rahman denied the allegations. 

Speaking to TBS, he said, "I did not say anything like that. I got a call, and I only asked how I could get more information and data. I am trying to collect evidence in various ways, including through sources. We inform senior officers before taking cases."

Around 11pm Thursday, Savar Model Police Station's Inspector (Investigation) Md Ashiq Iqbal confirmed to TBS that no case had yet been filed over the incident.

He claimed that no written complaint had been submitted by the victims so far.

When asked about the victims' allegation against Sub-Inspector Md Mojibur Rahman, Inspector Ashiq said, "The victims have not even filed a complaint yet."

He, however, added that police were working on the issue.

When asked why they did not file a written complaint as suggested by the officer, the family said they had contacted the police on Thursday afternoon to inquire about the procedures and how to proceed, but were left discouraged by the response they received.

Attempts to contact Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Jewel Mia were unsuccessful, as he neither answered phone calls nor replied to messages. 

He was first called on Wednesday at 5:24pm to get his comment on the matter, but he did not pick up. At 11pm, our correspondent called the Savar Model Police OC Md Jewel Mia again, but it went unanswered again. 

In total, he has been called three times. Despite several text messages seeking his statement, no reply was received.

Local reporters noted that over the past six months, the OC has not responded to calls for comment on various incidents that occurred in his jurisdiction.

Theft, not a robbery?  

Additional Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) Md Shahinur Kabir told TBS that the incident appeared to be a theft, not a robbery. 

"They reported money and valuables being taken, which is theft. If a complaint was filed, a case would definitely be recorded," he said. 

He said, "According to the OC, the media often rushes to the scene within minutes of an incident and creates unnecessary drama. Something similar may have happened in this case as well."

The victim, however, rejected the police's version. 

"From the beginning we have said this was not theft. The robbers tied our hands and feet and held us at gunpoint. How can this be called theft?" Shahjahan said. 

According to Shahjahan Mia's son Imran, the assailants first broke into the house by cutting the balcony grill and tied up his younger brother at gunpoint. They then stormed into his parents' room, holding both his father and mother at gunpoint, before entering his room and locking him and his wife inside. 

"After restraining everyone, they searched each room one by one, taking all the cash and gold ornaments they found," he said.

Imran added that the gang consisted of five to six men and two of them armed with firearms, while the others carried weapons, including locally made cleavers.