Mugging in front of patrol car, police drive off without helping

Shamim Ahmed, a lighting business owner from Moghbazar, had no plans to visit his village home in Chandpur during the last Eid-ul-Azha.

But on the morning of Eid, 7 June, during Fajr prayer, he received an urgent phone call informing him that his father had suddenly fallen ill. Without hesitation, he decided to rush to Chandpur.

Leaving his Khilgaon Taltola residence at dawn, Shamim boarded a rickshaw heading to the Sayedabad bus counter. But as he crossed the Malibagh rail gate, three youths armed with machetes ran up from the roadside.

Startled, Shamim jumped off the rickshaw and attempted to flee. But the attackers caught up with him, beat him, and snatched his iPhone, cash, and wallet. After robbing him, one of the muggers struck his leg before casually walking away. The entire incident was captured on CCTV.

Shamim alleges that a police patrol vehicle from Shahjahanpur Police Station was parked just 30 to 40 yards away during the incident. CCTV footage confirms the presence of the police vehicle at the scene.

"No police officer responded to my screams," Shamim told TBS. "When I limped over to the patrol car and asked for help, they claimed they hadn't seen anything. Then, pretending to inspect the scene, they drove off."

Shamim also alleges that when he tried to file a case, police at first refused to register it. Instead, they recorded a general diary (GD), treating it as a case of lost mobile phone rather than a mugging. He later submitted a written complaint at Shahjahanpur Police Station on 12 June.

It was not until 13 July – over a month later – that police finally accepted the case.

TBS has obtained the CCTV footage and related documents showing both the mugging and the police vehicle's presence nearby.

After being injured by the muggers, on the Eid day, Shamim struggled to return home with severe pain in his leg. He eventually managed to get on a rickshaw and, with the help of a local security guard, reached his residence in Khilgaon.

Nurul Islam, the security guard who assisted him, told TBS, "He [Shamim] came to our building in a distressed and injured state after being mugged in Malibagh. He was crying uncontrollably. We poured water over his head to calm him down and then helped him get home."

When asked about the victim's allegations of police inaction, the Officer-in-Charge of Shahjahanpur Police Station said he was unaware of any negligence by police personnel. However, he confirmed that a case had been filed in connection with the incident.

Sub-Inspector Md Jahangir Hossain, the investigating officer, told TBS that the mugging incident is under investigation and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

Muggings rampant in Malibagh

Following victim Shamim Ahmed's allegations, this reporter visited the scene of the 7 June mugging near Malibagh rail gate – only to find a shocking reality.

According to locals, armed muggings have become a regular occurrence on both sides of the Malibagh rail gate, often taking place in broad daylight.

"Muggers move around freely across the Malibagh area, but the police don't seem to care," said local resident Saidur Rahman. "We live in constant fear. Ordinary people can't even walk the streets safely."

Another resident, Zahid Hossain, echoed the concern. "Every day, someone gets mugged on this rail line. If not money, it's a mobile phone – people lose something here daily."

Residents also recalled a recent attack on a retired army officer who was stabbed by muggers just outside his home in the same neighbourhood. That case was also filed with Shahjahanpur Police Station.

People across Malibagh, Mouchak, and Moghbazar areas say they feel increasingly unsafe and are urging higher authorities to step in and restore security.

Despite incidents of brazen daylight muggings in the capital, senior police officials maintain that law enforcement is actively working to curb street crime, including muggings, robberies, and lootings.

Speaking to TBS, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said, "We are working tirelessly, day and night, to ensure public safety and bring peace of mind to city residents. Police operations are ongoing across the entire Dhaka Metropolitan area. We are committed to restoring order in public life."