OC blames mugging victim’s pricey phone; Police respond only after viral post

A Dhaka-based journalist was violently mugged late Thursday (24 July) in Mohammadpur, an area notorious for frequent snatchings and robberies. Despite his desperate attempts to get police help, officers allegedly delayed action until his Facebook post went viral.

Ahmad Wadud, a sub-editor at a business daily, wrote: "Around 11pm [Thursday], while my wife was with me in Mohammadpur, snatchers attacked us. They took my smartphone and cash. They also struck me with a machete, though the injury was not severe."

Following the attack, he rushed to Mohammadpur Police Station to file a general diary. That's where his ordeal deepened.

"Sub-Inspector Jasim was on duty and seemed intent on obstructing me," Wadud alleged. "Another policeman judged me by my undone shirt buttons, and Jasim even asked me to fix my tie. Although there were plenty of pens, I wasn't given one to write the GD."

He told the officers the snatchers were likely still in the area and could be caught if police responded quickly. But SI Jasim allegedly stalled and told him to wait for Sub-Inspector Anaraul, who was assigned to the jurisdiction.

Wadud said things worsened when he approached Officer-in-Charge Iftekhar Hasan, who dismissed his concerns with a bizarre comment: "Why do you use an expensive phone? Even I, as officer-in-charge, use a cheaper one."

Stunned, Wadud pleaded again: "I think they're still there." To this, SI Jasim reportedly responded, "Don't you have common sense? The kidnappers won't be waiting for us."

About 40 minutes after the incident, Wadud accompanied Anaraul and seven or eight other officers to the scene.

He spotted the muggers sitting nearby and pointed them out. But Anaraul allegedly refused to confront them and walked off to speak with others instead.

Wadud again identified the suspects, but the officer still took no action. The muggers slowly moved away, leaving Wadud shocked.

After the suspects had vanished, Anaraul reportedly told him, "They won't be found now. We'll conduct a raid late at night. You should go home."

However, the situation changed only after Wadud shared his experience on Facebook. His post went viral, drawing widespread attention and prompting police to act.

Within 12 hours of the mugging, police recovered the stolen phone and arrested three suspects.

According to a press release issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today (25 July), a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Division and Mohammadpur Police conducted a prompt operation and detained three individuals – Yusuf, Siam, and Zahurul.

The stolen phone was recovered during the drive.

"Yusuf was identified as the main perpetrator. Legal proceedings are underway against all three accused," the statement said.

The DMP also confirmed that four police personnel had been withdrawn from duty pending an internal investigation into alleged negligence.

Later, in a separate statement, Bangladesh Police said, "We have taken note of Mr Ahmad Wadud's Facebook post titled 'One Hour with Mohammadpur Police Station'."

"In response to the allegations described in the victim's post, four police personnel have already been withdrawn from their duties," it added. "Bangladesh Police sincerely apologises for the misconduct displayed by its members."

Ahmad Wadud confirmed that his stolen phone had been returned.

Meanwhile, no action has been taken against Officer-in-Charge Iftekhar Hasan, who dismissed criticism of his comments by saying they had been misunderstood.