Sohel Hossain (23) and Omar Ali (52) sell betel nuts and date molasses in Dhaka. Over 11 days, they earned BDT 120,000. On the night of Monday, February 17, they boarded a bus from Gabtoli, Dhaka, to return home to Baraigram, Natore. However, on the way, a gang of robbers looted all their belongings inside the moving bus. Other passengers were also not spared.
The robbery occurred on a bus named Amari Travels, operated by Unique Road Royals, with registration number Mymensingh-B-11-0069. The incident took place between Chandra in Gazipur and Mirzapur in Tangail. There are discussions on social media about two female passengers being raped during the robbery. However, victims have only reported sexual harassment to the police. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Baraigram Police Station stated that no one reported any sexual assault or rape. No case has been filed yet.
Passengers’ Ordeal
Passengers Sohel Hossain, Omar Ali, Majnu Akand (73), and their business partner Abu Hanif remained at Baraigram Police Station until Thursday evening, seeking to file a case. However, the police stated that since the incident took place in Mirzapur Police Station’s jurisdiction, the case should be filed there. Omar Ali reported that the Natore Superintendent of Police (SP) recorded their statements, and they heard that Mirzapur police were on their way to Baraigram.
Mirzapur Police Station OC Mosharraf Hossain said, “People are talking about this happening in Mirzapur, but we are trying to determine the actual incident.”
The bus, carrying around 40 passengers, departed from Gabtoli, Dhaka, at 11 PM on Monday for Rajshahi. The robbery began at 12:35 AM and lasted for three hours. At 3:52 AM, the robbers left the bus at the same location where they had boarded. The passengers later realized they were near a petrol pump in Mirzapur. The bus driver, his assistant, and the supervisor kept making excuses, claiming the bus had no fuel or money to continue. However, under pressure from the passengers, they resumed the journey. The bus reached Baraigram Police Station around 11:30 AM on Tuesday.
How the Robbery Unfolded
According to Sohel Hossain, three robbers boarded the bus at Gabtoli, pretending to be passengers. Later, they let in five more accomplices. One of them took control of the steering wheel. The robbers stabbed a passenger, causing his white shirt to be soaked in blood. Another was slashed in the hand, leaving a deep wound. Fearing for their lives, all passengers surrendered their belongings.
Each passenger was searched five to seven times. The robbers stepped on Sohel Hossain’s chest while holding a knife to Omar Ali’s throat to take BDT 20,000. Omar Ali also tried to hide BDT 100,000, but the robbers found it during the second round of searches.
Majnu Akand from Moukha village, Baraigram, lost BDT 46,000. He said, “The robbers completely humiliated the women. They screamed so much that we feared the worst had happened.” The robbers kept the bus moving for three hours, looting cash, gold jewelry, and mobile phones.
After the robbery, the bus staff refused to continue the journey, claiming they had no money or fuel. However, passengers noticed that at Jamuna Bridge Toll Plaza, the bus staff paid the toll and even bought food, raising suspicions that they were collaborators in the robbery.
Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Omar Ali stated that two female passengers repeatedly complained about being molested by the robbers. They even informed Sub-Inspector (SI) Shariful Islam of Baraigram Police Station. SI Shariful confirmed that the women reported that their jewelry was forcibly taken and that they were physically harassed.
One of the victims, a woman from Charghat, was returning home from her daughter’s house in Dhaka. She reported losing BDT 7,500, gold bangles, and a chain. She further claimed that the Mirzapur police ignored them, stating that the Officer-in-Charge (OC) would not be available before 9 AM. Feeling unsafe, the passengers headed towards Baraigram instead.
She added, “Women who hesitated to hand over their jewelry were physically assaulted.”
However, Mirzapur Police OC Mosharraf Hossain denied this, saying, “Some people came to the station early morning, but they were unwilling to sit and talk with the police.”
Bus Crew Released on Bail
The bus supervisor, driver, and assistant were arrested but were released on bail on Wednesday evening. Baraigram Magistrate Court granted them bail since they were charged under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which does not specify any major offense.
Baraigram Police OC Sirajul Islam confirmed that many passengers reported the robbery orally, but most had already left by the time the police arrived. He also mentioned that two female passengers had left without making any further allegations. He expressed surprise at how rumors of rape had spread without proper evidence.
As of Thursday night, Mirzapur police were at Baraigram Police Station questioning victims, but no official case had been registered yet.
