Police have arrested two police officers and the sister of notorious criminal 'Picchi Raja' who faces 30 cases after an investigation revealed he escaped from police custody in Dhaka not Gazipur as initially claimed.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Md. Israil Hawlader revealed the findings during a press conference on Monday.
The arrested individuals are escort party in-charge Sub-Inspector (SI) Prabir Kumar, prison van driver Nayek Kamal Hossain and Picchi Raja’s sister, Taslima.
According to police, 30 accused were being transported back to Kashimpur Central Jail from a Dhaka court on the night of September 27. The escort party initially reported that Picchi Raja escaped on foot in Gazipur's Baimail area while taking a restroom break.
However the investigations revealed that SI Prabir stopped the van in Dhaka’s Tatibazar area, took the keys and brought Picchi Raja out of the vehicle. Picchi Raja then fled in a waiting private car. SI Prabir rejoined the van in Baimail and staged the false escape narrative to cover up the crime.
Police recovered Tk.60,000 in cash from driver Kamal Hossain's residence. Five escort team members had previously been suspended for negligence.
GMP Commissioner Hawlader stated that operations are ongoing to recapture Picchi Raja and arrest all other accomplices involved in the staged escape.
