The robbery in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area was meticulously orchestrated, with perpetrators operating through a well-connected network. The criminals disguised themselves as members of law enforcement, intelligence officers, informants, a magistrate, and even student representatives to execute their plan.
According to investigators, their primary objective was to seize a substantial stash of gold and cash believed to be concealed within a six-story building owned by MA Hannan, the proprietor of Alankar Niketan Jewellers in Bashundhara City.
The heist took place around 4:00 am on Wednesday when a group of 25-30 robbers forcefully entered the building on Dhanmondi Road No. 8. They managed to loot Tk 36.5 lakh in cash and 2.5 bhoris of gold ornaments before fleeing the scene, as stated in the case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station.
“They introduced themselves as law enforcement officers, a magistrate, journalists, informants, and students to gain access to the building under the pretense of conducting a raid,” said Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division, during a press briefing at the DMP Media Center.
Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, including an army sergeant. The detainees are identified as Farhad Bin Mosharraf (33), Yeasin Hasan (22), Mobasher Ahmed (23), Wakeel Mahmud (26), Abdullah (32), and Sumon (29).
The first four suspects were apprehended at the crime scene, while the others were caught in the Hazaribagh area during an early morning police operation.
Officials suspect a deeper conspiracy, particularly since a significant amount of gold jewelry was stolen from Alankar Niketan in August last year. A case regarding that theft is already under investigation at Tejgaon Police Station. Authorities are now probing whether there is any connection between the two incidents and whether any insiders were involved.
According to Shah Mostafa Tariquzzaman, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dhanmondi Zone), initial findings suggest that four to five of the robbers were the masterminds behind the operation. Investigators are also verifying the claim of some arrestees that they are students from private universities.
One of the suspects, Wakeel, reportedly told investigators that he and another individual were in Dhanmondi for sehri at a restaurant when an acquaintance invited them to join the “raid” as student representatives. Authorities are currently verifying this statement.
Investigations have revealed that the criminals had initially planned to steal a significant amount of gold and money. However, when they failed to find the expected valuables, they vandalized the office of SM Sourcing, a buying house, and looted Tk 35 lakh in cash. Unsatisfied with their haul, they then attempted to abduct Hannan to demand a ransom.
“The gang planned to kidnap Hannan for ransom, but their efforts were thwarted when locals and police intervened,” said the Assistant Commissioner.
During the confrontation, six individuals, including security guards from a nearby construction site, helped the police capture four of the suspects.
As a token of appreciation, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has rewarded the six helpers with Tk 5,000 each and offered them positions in the force’s auxiliary unit. The awardees are Swapan Bhuiyan (25), Bijoy (40), Riazul Islam (34), Delwar Hossain (20), Siam (18), and Tony (20).
Authorities continue to investigate the case, aiming to uncover the full extent of the network involved in the heist.
BDST: 1100 HRS, MAR 28, 2025
SMS
