Trial of four robber Rab men starts
Court Correspondent
Trial of four members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and their two informants began yesterday on charges of their involvement in a robbery.Locals on March 23 caught red-handed Rab Sergeant Atiqur Rahman, 30, while five others managed to flee with Tk 7.8 lakh robbed from cattle trader Ratan Ali at Mirpur in the city. Complainant Ratan yesterday identified the accused Rab sergeant in the dock and demanded justice. Metropolitan Magistrate Towfiqul Alam of the Speedy Trial Tribunal, Dhaka recorded Ratan's statement, while the defence lawyers also cross-examined him. On completion of the cross-examination, the court fixed May 15 for next hearing of the case. The court also directed the deputy commissioner (West) to take departmental action against three policemen for violating its order. The policemen -- havilder Hiron Miah and constables Abul Kalam Azad and Nasir Ahmed -- appeared before the court for giving their statements in the case as witnesses on May 5. But they left the court without permission, the court in its order said. The court also directed the authorities to send a copy of its order to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner. During hearing, Ratan told the court the Rab sergeant and five others went to his Mirpur house at about 12:20pm. They identifying themselves as members of the Rab-4 and asked him how much he had in cash. Following his reply, they stole Tk 7.8 lakh from his almirah and threatened him with death in 'crossfire', said Ratan. Locals held the Rab sergeant but his accomplices drove off in two CNG-run three-wheelers. Police questioned Sgt Atiq, arrested Rab members Waliullah and Khorshed Alam following his statement and recovered Tk 2.55 lakh from them. Ratan filed the case with Mirpur Police Station under the Speedy Trial (Law and Disruption) Act the same day against six people. The investigation officer in the case, AKM Nahidul Islam, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Rab-1, pressed charges against Sgt Atiq, Sgt Waliullah, ASI Rafiq Islam, constable Khorshed Alam and their informants Mofizur Rahman alias Babul and Masud Mridha. Atiq, Waliullah, Khorshed and Babul were present in the court, while Rafiq and Masud are at large.
| 
