Police in Dhaka have arrested four members of an organized gang accused of stealing and trading human skeletons, recovering dozens of skulls and bones during a series of raids in the capital.
The arrests were carried out by officers from Dhaka Metropolitan Police under Tejgaon Police Station.
The suspects were identified as Kazi Zahurul Islam (25), also known as Soumik; Md. Abul Kalam (39); Asadul Munshi (32), also known as Jasim or Ershad; and Md. Faisal Ahmed (26).
During the operations, police recovered 47 human skulls and a large quantity of bones, which were reportedly stored in plastic bags.
According to Ibne Mizan, Deputy Commissioner of the Tejgaon Division, police first received confidential information that a suspect was collecting skeletons illegally from graveyards with the intention of selling them.
Acting on the tip-off, officers conducted a raid around 1:45 a.m. on March 9 near Gate No. 1 of Monipuripara in Tejgaon, where they arrested Kazi Zahurul Islam and recovered one human skeleton from his possession.
Based on his information, police later carried out another raid around 7:10 a.m. in front of Tejgaon College, where Md. Abul Kalam and Asadul Munshi were arrested with two human skeletons.
Further interrogation led investigators to a hostel room at Sapporo Dental College & Hospital under Uttara West Police Station. During a raid at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers recovered 44 additional skeletons scattered inside Room 402.
Police believe the skeletons were dug up from graveyards in several areas, including Gazipur, and stored for illegal sale.
Authorities said Md. Abul Kalam has 21 criminal cases filed against him, while Asadul Munshi has two previous cases.
A formal case has been registered at Tejgaon Police Station, and legal proceedings against the accused are ongoing.
