Thieves in burqas hit Malibagh jewellery shop, steal ‘500 bhori’ gold
Police and members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the crime scene this morning to collect evidence and review CCTV footage
In a daring burglary, two unidentified men allegedly stole 500 bhori of gold ornaments and cash from a jewellery shop located in the Fortune Shopping Mall in Dhaka's Malibagh.
The incident took place late on Wednesday night (8 October), and the entire heist was captured on CCTV camera, according to Achinto Kumar Biswas, owner of Shampa Jewellers.
He said that two men, wearing burqas, entered the market premises by breaking the shutter lock.
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"They looted everything — around 400 bhori of gold [jewellery] that was on display, another 100 bhori that was kept as mortgaged gold, and some cash," he said.
"I went home after closing my shop at around 9pm last night. Early in the morning, the market's security guard called me, saying there was a problem at my shop. When I arrived, I found everything had been taken," Achinto added.
Mazharul Islam, assistant commissioner (Ramna Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the burglary, saying, "The owner alleged that around 500 bhori of gold was stolen from the shop. We are investigating."
Police and members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the crime scene this morning to collect evidence and review CCTV footage.
"We have collected the CCTV footage, which showed the two thieves," Mazharul added.
Shopowner Achinto Kumar said there were supposed to be security guards on this floor, but none were present during the incident. "They broke the locks here for over an hour, and yet the guards claim they didn't know anything. How is that possible? They must be involved in this theft."
Law enforcers at work
During a visit to the scene this afternoon (9 October), it was found that all but one gate of the Fortune Shopping Mall were closed, with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) stationed downstairs. On the second floor, CID officials and journalists were seen gathered in front of Shampa Jewellers. A pile of jewellery boxes lay scattered at the shop's entrance, while CID officials were taking information from the shop owner.
What the shop owners' association says
Tamjid Khan Sasi, organisational secretary of the shop owners' association, denied any negligence in security. "We have a total of 11 guards who work in shifts," he said. "Four guards were on duty last night. Usually, they stay on the ground floor and patrol different floors at regular intervals at night. Last night too, they made their final round across the market around 2:30am. All our guards are still present. If they were involved, they would have fled. Still, it wouldn't be right to make any conclusion before the investigation is complete."
