Ashulia killings: Accused police inspector goes into hiding to ‘avoid arrest’
He has been absent from duty since 24 April, his colleagues at Palong Police Station say
Highlights:
- Masudur allegedly went into hiding to evade arrest in a crimes against humanity case
- The case involves six youths killed and burned in a police van in Ashulia
- Police officials claim they are unaware of his whereabouts
- Masudur's office was found locked, and his phones have been switched off since his disappearance
Mohammad Masudur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Palong model police station in Shariatpur, who is an accused in a July uprising murder case, has remained untraceable for more than a week.
He has been absent from duty since 24 April, his colleagues at Palong police station say.
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Masudur, however, is believed to have gone into hiding to avoid arrest in the case, filed on crimes against humanity charges at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The case – filed over the deaths of six young men and allegedly burning their bodies in a police van in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital on 5 August last year – was scheduled for a hearing and submission of the investigation report on 29 April. However, the date has been deferred.
Contacted, Additional Superintendent of Shariatpur Police (Gosairhat Circle) Mohammad Nazrul Islam told The Business Standard that Inspector Masudur has been absent from the office for 10 days.
The ASP could not ascertain anything about Masudur's whereabouts, and said the matter has been reported to the police headquarters.
Visiting Palong model police station on Sunday, this correspondent found Masudur's office room locked. His personal and official phone numbers were also found switched off.
As per the case dossier, Inspector Masudur was among the 40 accused, alongside ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over the killings in Ashulia.
He was transferred from Ashulia police station to Shariatpur police on 15 September last year.
Acknowledging Masudur's absence, Palong model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Helal Uddin said while leaving, Masudur cited his mother's illness and has since remained untraceable.
