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Police have arrested six people, including three employees of Islami Bank’s agent banking outlet, over the robbery of Tk34 lakh in Raninagar, Naogaon. Investigators allege that the three employees planned the heist to cover losses of Tk7–8 lakh from online gambling.
Police have so far recovered Tk1.42 lakh of the stolen money and seized the motorcycle allegedly used in the robbery, along with seven mobile phones, including an iPhone.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam disclosed the details at a press briefing at his office in Naogaon on Friday, October 9.
The arrestees are Russell Babu, 22, an office assistant at the Islami Bank agent banking outlet in Abadpukur; Sujan, 27, and Abu Taleb, 22, both loan officers; Swapan, 28, and Hasan Ali, 25, residents of Bishia village in Raninagar; and Rabbi Ali, the owner of the motorcycle allegedly used in the robbery.
According to police, on Tuesday, October 6, agent banking cashier Nazmul and office assistant Russell Babu were carrying Tk34 lakh from outlet owner Firoz Hossain to the office in Abadpukur Bazar on a motorcycle.
At around 12:50pm, after passing Parail Bazar in Raninagar, they reached an area in front of a Banglalink tower, where another motorcycle approached from behind and blocked their way. The assailants allegedly beat them with iron rods, took the money and fled.
The district Detective Branch and Raninagar police launched an investigation. That night, police seized the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used in the robbery and arrested its owner, Rabbi Ali.
On Wednesday, October 7, police conducted raids in Akkelpur in Joypurhat and in Dinajpur. Swapan and Hasan Ali were later arrested in an operation in the Nawabganj area of Dinajpur, and Tk1.42 lakh was recovered from their possession.
Acting on information provided by the two, police arrested the three bank employees in separate raids in Raninagar on Thursday, October 8.
The SP said preliminary investigations and questioning indicated that Russell Babu, Sujan and Abu Taleb had been diverting customers’ deposits instead of depositing the money with the bank for several months. They allegedly lost Tk7–8 lakh through online gambling and then planned to rob the agent banking outlet owner’s money to cover the shortfall.
According to police, the three spent about a month planning the robbery. On the day of the incident, Russell accompanied cashier Nazmul to collect the money and allegedly relayed their location and movements to the others by mobile phone.
Police claim that the group then intercepted the two near the Banglalink tower and took the cash. Although Russell initially presented himself as a victim, investigators believe he was involved in the plan.
The suspects allegedly intended to divide the stolen money among themselves. After the robbery, Swapan and Hasan were reportedly given Tk1.5 lakh and told to leave Naogaon. They travelled through Joypurhat to Dinajpur, police said.
Investigators are examining whether anyone else was involved. Police operations are continuing to arrest other suspects and recover the remaining money.