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Five police officers have been temporarily suspended after Raja, alias ‘Pichchi Raja’, a fugitive accused in 25 cases, escaped while being taken from a Dhaka court to Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner (acting) Mohammad Taherul Haque Chowhan confirmed the development on Monday morning.
He said five officers, including the prison van driver, were suspended following the escape. A five-member committee, led by the deputy commissioner of headquarters, has also been formed to investigate the incident.
Police sources said Pichchi Raja was taken to a Dhaka metropolitan court by prison van on Sunday morning for a court appearance. After the hearing, he was being taken back to Kashimpur Central Jail-1.
When the van reached the Naojor area of Gazipur, Raja asked to use a toilet. Police personnel on duty took him to a nearby toilet, from where he managed to escape.
A senior jail superintendent said Raja fled while being taken back to Kashimpur jail after appearing before the Dhaka court.
A source at Mohammadpur Police Station said Raja, considered a top drug dealer in the area, was arrested on May 19 this year. Police had been alerted after reports that Raja, his wife and brother-in-law had returned from Nepal, and they were subsequently taken into custody with the assistance of immigration police.
The source said Raja faces around 20–25 cases, including those related to drugs and firearms.
