Bail abuse fuels Dhaka crime wave
Syed Shemul Parvez :
Crime incidents, including extortion, snatching, robbery, and looting, are rising alarmingly across the country, particularly in the capital city, despite assurances from law enforcement agencies.
According to a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) statement on snatching cases and arrests, 564 suspects have been detained in 51 cases in the city between August and December 2024.
Sources report that incidents of extortion – where victims are threatened or attacked with machetes – combined with the fear of snatching, have significantly increased concern among city residents.
Business owners in various areas have received threats, and police have identified the involvement of professional criminals and notorious figures in these crimes.
Notorious individuals, including Picchi Helal and Emon, have reportedly resumed criminal activities after being released on bail on 5 August.
Both have been implicated in offences such as murder, attempted murder, and extortion. However, the police have been unable to locate them.
When questioned about their whereabouts, DMP Detective Branch (DB) Chief, Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallick, stated, “We have already arrested several members of Picchi Helal and Emon’s groups.
Although their exact locations remain unknown, we are making every effort to find and arrest them.
Active operations are underway.”
At a press conference on Saturday, the DB Police announced the arrest of 16 individuals, including suspects in several high-profile cases.
The cases include severing of a young man’s wrist by snatchers in Adabor, gold robbery in front of the Kotwali Police Station court building, murder of private car driver Saju Mia in Paltan and killing of Minhaj, a student of Jatrabari Donia College.
When asked if the police had failed to ensure public safety, the DB Chief said, “We are working to maintain law and order in Dhaka and across the country. All DB units and special teams are actively working to prevent and address kidnappings and other crimes.
I hope city residents will soon see the results of these efforts.”
Earlier, on 12 January, around ten assailants attacked businessman Ehteshamul Haque with machetes in front of Multiplan Center on Elephant Road in Dhaka.
Investigations linked the incident to the ‘Emon Group.’ Addressing the attack, DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Rezaul Karim Mallick stated on 14 January that “no terrorist will be spared,” whether it be Picchi Helal, Emon, or others.
At a view-sharing meeting with the newly elected executive committee of CRAB on 21 January, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali reiterated that the DMP is vigilant in monitoring top terrorists who have been released on bail. He remarked, “It is disheartening that despite being imprisoned for long periods, they have not reformed.”
On the same day, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime and Operations), SN Md. Nazrul Islam, noted that there is evidence of top criminals returning to unlawful activities. He stated that bail cancellations would be sought, adding, “Records are being made, cases are being filed, and we will not spare anyone.”
Meanwhile, after the fall of the Awami League government during the student uprising, numerous cases have been filed against alleged fascist sympathisers across 50 police stations in the capital.
Among these, the DMP has classified 225 as “special cases.” While many accused individuals have been arrested, a significant number -572- have secured bail as of 26 January.
Law enforcement officials have assured the public of ongoing efforts to apprehend criminals and maintain law and order in the city, but concerns over rising crime and the re-emergence of top criminals remain significant.