2 police officers release suspect in exchange for Tk 1 lakh!

Two members of Keraniganj Model Police Station were accused of releasing a drug dealer, apprehended with 10 kg of cannabis in Dhaka’s Keraniganj, in exchange for Tk 1 lakh and 2 kg of cannabis. The accused are Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jahidul Islam of Keraniganj Model Police Station and a constable. After the incident came to light and caught the attention of senior police authorities, an investigation has been launched against them.

When contacted, the Kadamtali office of Dhaka District South DB (Detective Branch) Police said they
had not conducted any operation in the Kadamtali area in the past few weeks. Subsequent analysis of CCTV footage from Kadamtali and surrounding areas revealed that the individuals who extorted money while posing as DB officers were not actual DB members; one of them was identified as Jahidul Islam, ASI of Keraniganj Model Police Station, and the other as a constable from the same station.

However, Jamimul Haque, Additional Superintendent of Police of Keraniganj Circle, said that initial action has been taken since the matter came to the attention of senior police officials. He said the entire allegation is being investigated with due seriousness, and if the allegations are found to be true, appropriate legal action will be taken against the two accused police members.

According to local sources, last week a drug dealer was traveling to Manikganj from the Kadamtali area of Keraniganj, carrying 10 kg of cannabis in a trolley bag. As he passed Tanaka Petrol Pump in Kadamtali, two men in plainclothes, carrying handcuffs, approached from behind, identified themselves as “DB police,” and detained him. The trader was then threatened and coerced into paying approximately Tk 1 lakh via bKash. Locals allege that, in addition to taking Tk 1 lakh, the two men posing as DB officers also kept 2 kg of cannabis from the bag.

ASI Jahidul and the constable initially denied the allegations, but later admitted the truth after being shown CCTV footage and other evidence. They said they had carried out the act based on the plan and information provided by another ASI, Nasir, of the same model police station. While they admitted to releasing the drug dealer in exchange for Tk 1 lakh, they denied keeping the 2 kg of cannabis.

ASI Jahidul further disclosed that the extorted Tk 1 lakh was divided into a total of five shares, and that a total of five people, including the Officer-in-Charge (OC), shared the money among themselves.
When contacted regarding the allegations, Keraniganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ruhul Kuddus declined to comment.