Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 9th January 2026, 1:46 PM
In a significant breakthrough, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), in collaboration with the Panchlaish Police Station, have apprehended six individuals, including the prime suspect in a high-profile gold heist, and recovered 290 vori of stolen gold bars along with a motorcycle used during the robbery. The arrests followed an extensive operation that extended into the early hours of Friday.
The six individuals taken into custody are:
| Name | Age | Alias | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suman Chandra Das | 42 | — | Former ASI of police, previously dismissed due to criminal activities; implicated in prior gold thefts |
| Md. Masud Rana | 30 | Bike Babu | Active participant in the heist |
| Rafiqul Islam | 22 | Imon | Involved in robbery planning and execution |
| Robi Kumar Das | 40 | — | Arrested in Dhaka based on lead from main suspect |
| Panna Rani Das | 38 | Dipali Rani Das | Wife of main suspect; arrested in Chittagong |
| Bibek Banik | 42 | — | Identified as key informant facilitating gold transfer |
According to police reports, the robbery occurred in the early hours of 4 January. Sabuj Debnath, travelling with two associates in a CNG auto-rickshaw from Kotwali Sub-Area to the Oxygen area of Bayezid Bostami, was intercepted near Atura Depot by four armed motorcyclists. The assailants forcibly seized 35 gold bars, three mobile phones, and a sum of cash.
A case was lodged at Panchlaish Model Police Station on 5 January. The CMP’s DB (North) and Panchlaish Police immediately launched a joint investigation, utilising both intelligence and technological resources.
On Thursday evening, raids in Madhabpur, under Kashimpur Thana in Gazipur, resulted in the arrest of Suman Chandra Das, Md. Masud Rana, and Rafiqul Islam. Authorities also recovered a Suzuki Gixxer motorcycle used in the robbery.
During preliminary interrogation, Suman Chandra Das admitted to orchestrating the heist. Based on his information, Robi Kumar Das was apprehended in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, and Panna Rani Das in Boro Pul, Halishahar, Chittagong. Bibek Banik, who allegedly provided critical intelligence regarding the gold’s location, was arrested in the Kotwali area.
Habibur Rahman Pramanik of CMP’s DB (North) stated, “Following confessions, police recovered a cardboard box from a house in Ray’s Bazar, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, containing 29 wrapped gold bars, amounting to 290 vori. Operations to apprehend remaining suspects are ongoing.”
This operation marks a major stride in CMP’s ongoing efforts to combat organised gold theft in the region and underscores the role of coordinated intelligence-led policing in recovering high-value stolen property.
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