Locals caught Shahidul Karim Nahid, 37, while he was fleeing after the robbery along with his eight other accomplices.

Nahid admitted his involvement with the robbery yesterday. He also admitted that he and his gang raided the house after having confirmed information on availability of valuables through their sources.

Police sources said Nahid was a former activist of JCD and completed his honours and master's form Dhaka University (DU) in 1994.

Quoting Nahid, police said all the nine members of the robbery gang were former activists of JCD at DU. This organised ring of criminals had been involved in various crimes in the capital.

Police sources said Nahid named at least four former central committee leaders of JCD, whose names would not be disclosed until the investigation was over.

The robbers posed as government officials to gain entry into the house of jewellery businessman of Tanti Bazar Jahirul Haque. They tied up the family members at gunpoint and made off with Tk 37.85 lakh in cash, 123 tolas of gold ornaments, 70 tolas of gold bars as well as other valuables, the sources added.