3 arrested over robbery, sexual assault on Rajshahi-bound bus

The suspects were apprehended from various parts of Savar on Friday, police say

Police have arrested three more individuals in connection with an incident of robbery and sexual assault on a ‘Unique Road Royals’ bus headed from Dhaka to Rajshahi.

In a media briefing on Saturday, Tangail's Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman announced that Omar Ali, a passenger on the bus, had filed a case on Friday morning against eight to nine unidentified individuals.

Law enforcers apprehended three suspects later that evening from various parts of Savar.

The detained suspects are 29-year-old Shahidul Islam, alias Mohidul Muhit, from Manikganj's Daulatpur Upazila, 30-year-old Mohammad Sabuj from Shariatpur's Zajira Upazila, and 28-year-old Sharifuzzaman from Dhaka's Savar.

Police revealed that Shahidul has five criminal cases against him, including two related to bus robberies in Sirajganj's Ullapara and Savar.

According to the case documents, around 11:30pm on Feb 17, the bus left the Gabtoli bus terminal in Dhaka for Natore's Baraiagram. There were 30 to 35 passengers on board.

Around midnight, the bus arrived at Hemayetpur bus stand, where it picked up 10 to 12 more passengers before continuing towards Rajshahi.

The bus made a brief stop at Chandra Bypass in Gazipur's Kaliakair for a tea break. During the 10 to 15-minute stop, the bus picked up three or four more passengers.

Around 1:30am, shortly after crossing the Kharajora Flyover Bridge near Hi-tech City Park in Gazipur, eight to nine armed robbers, disguised as passengers, suddenly took control of the bus. They brandished knives and cleavers, overpowering the driver, dragging him from his seat, and forcing him to the back of the bus.

One of the robbers took the wheel and drove the bus towards Tangail. The gang then began looting the passengers' belongings, including cash, mobile phones, jewellery, and other valuables. Afterward, they made a U-turn at Natipara in Tangail's Delduar Upazila and headed back towards Dhaka, continuing their robbery and committing sexual assault for nearly three hours.

The robbers eventually got off near Nandan Park in Ashulia, and the driver took the bus to the Chandra intersection. Passengers then called 999 to alert the police, who arrived shortly after.

Police directed the passengers to report the incident to the Mirzapur Police Station. However, after failing to get any assistance there, they reported the crime to the Baraiagram Police Station in Natore. Law enforcers subsequently arrested the driver, supervisor and assistant, sending them to court under section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, they were released on bail the same day.

"We were able to arrest the suspects within 24 hours of the case being filed, using technology and various sources. We recovered three mobile phones, a knife and Tk 29,370 from the suspects. The search for the remaining criminals continues, and we will seek a five-day remand for them in court," said SP Mizanur.

"There was no rape incident on the bus, but sexual harassment did occur. The arrested suspects have confessed to their involvement in the incident."