Listed criminal Mobarak Hossain alias David Emon was planning to cross into India through the Jashore border and join fugitive gangster Sazzad Ali alias Boro Sazzad in Kolkata, police said today.
Investigators said they found an image of an Indian Aadhaar card on Emon's mobile phone. The card, bearing the name Azhar Khan, was allegedly sent to him by Boro Sazzad before his planned border crossing. Police said they did not recover any physical card and could not confirm whether the image was of a genuine or forged document.
According to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Aadhaar is issued to residents of India who have lived in the country for at least 182 days during the 12 months immediately preceding enrolment. It is not issued solely on the basis of citizenship.
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Chattogram District Superintendent of Police Masud Alam told The Daily Star, "Boro Sazzad sent an image of the Aadhaar card to Emon's mobile phone. We did not recover the physical card from him, but we found its image on his phone. The plan was to hand over the Aadhaar card to him once he crossed into India."
Police also said Emon used foreign SIM cards and encrypted mobile applications to communicate with members of the criminal network.
Emon was arrested with three associates early yesterday while allegedly trying to flee to India through the Jashore border. Police said he is the second-in-command to Boro Sazzad and is accused in 15 criminal cases filed in Chattogram city and district.
Speaking at a press conference at the Chattogram District Police headquarters today, SP Masud Alam said police launched an investigation after Jubo Dal leader Masudul Haque Chowdhury was shot in Raozan's Pahartali area on June 13.
"During the investigation, we identified everyone directly and indirectly involved. On July 22, we arrested one of the FIR-named accused in the murder case, Md Elias alias Dhama Elias, from Dhaka. His interrogation provided us with significant information about the criminal network and a crucial lead on Emon," the SP said.
He said Elias also provided information about a recent extortion demand targeting internet service provider Digital Dot Net (DDN) and the subsequent attack on the company’s Bakalia office. Police said the information helped them track down and arrest Emon.
Following the arrest, police took Emon to Fatikchhari, where they recovered a foreign-made pistol, two locally made firearms (LGs), and several other locally made weapons during a raid.
Replying to a question, SP Masud Alam said police had not found any evidence so far linking any political "godfather" to the alleged criminal activities of Emon and his associates.
He said the group had taken advantage of a temporary decline in law enforcement activity after August 5, 2024 to carry out various crimes.
A senior additional superintendent of police, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "David Emon was supposed to cross into India on Boro Sazzad's instructions. Boro Sazzad was in Kolkata waiting for him."
Police have shown Emon arrested in three cases, including a newly filed arms case with Fatikchhari Police Station following the recovery of weapons, as well as a murder case.
