Top criminals Subrata Bain, Molla Masud held

Subrata Bain and Molla Masud, two of the country's most-wanted criminals, along with two of their close associates, were arrested yesterday in separate drives jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Army and intelligence agencies.

Subrata Bain, alias Fateh Ali, 60, and Abu Rasel Masud, alias Molla Masud, 54, were arrested in Kushtia. Based on information provided by them, their associates Arafat, alias shooter Arafat, and Sharif were arrested in Hatirjheel.

"These individuals were involved in killings, extortion, and sabotage across the country. The operation was the result of prolonged surveillance and was executed with precision without any casualties or confrontation," said Lt Col Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury, director of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Both Subrata and Masud are named on the list of the country's top 23 most-wanted criminals and are believed to be masterminds of the infamous "Seven Star" gang, said the ISPR director in a press briefing at the Mess Alpha of Dhaka Cantonment.

During the raid, five foreign pistols, 10 magazines, 53 rounds of ammunition, and a satellite phone were seized from the suspects, he added.

The operation was coordinated with support from the Military Operations Directorate at the Army Headquarters, 55 Infantry Division, 14 Independent Engineer Brigade, 71 Mechanised Brigade, and the National Security Intelligence (NSI).

In a separate raid in the capital's Mohammadpur, the army also arrested notorious criminal Farid Ahmed Babu, alias Excel Babu, along with three others from the Buriganga Filling Station area yesterday.

The raid was conducted around 3:30pm by a team from the Basila Army Camp, according to a press release issued by the ISPR.

"Farid Ahmed Babu, 56, is a top-tier criminal wanted in over 15 cases filed with various police stations across the capital. The charges against him include murder, illegal arms possession, abduction, extortion, and land grabbing," the ISPR stated.

Intelligence reports suggest that Excel Babu acted as a godfather figure for several notorious juvenile gangs—namely, Teenage Tornado, Dark Strikers, and Red Volcano.

He is also believed to be linked to the infamous shooter Anwar, alias Kobzikata Anwar, the statement added.

Urging public cooperation, Sami Ud Dowla said, "If anyone notices suspicious activities or has information related to terrorism, please report it to the nearest army camp or law-enforcing agency."

Reiterating the army's unwavering stance on national security, he said, "Under the clear directive of the Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh Army remains fully prepared and committed to safeguarding the lives and properties of the people."

RISE, FALL OF THE NOTORIOUS

Subrata Bain was a notorious figure in Dhaka's criminal underworld during the 1990s. Although he faced a number of arrests during the height of his career, Subrata managed to secure bail and returned to the life of crime every time.

According to multiple sources in law enforcement, Subrata Bain's name has resurfaced in connection with three recent murders in Dhaka's Hatirjheel and Gulshan areas. In addition to murder, he and his associates have been linked to cases of extortion and illegal occupation of land and apartments.

One police source reported that on April 21, Subrata's followers allegedly shot and killed Arif Sardar, a local ward-level leader of the Jubo Dal, BNP's youth wing, in Hatirjheel.

Subrata is also believed to have smuggled firearms into the country via the Indian border, which his gang is allegedly using for various criminal activities.

Law enforcement agencies have detailed records of Subrata Bain's involvement in organised crime.

Throughout the 1990s, his name was frequently associated with violent turf wars, extortion rackets, and manipulating public tenders. These activities often led to incidents of murder and assault.

Despite being arrested multiple times and serving prison sentences, he repeatedly returned to criminal activities after securing bail.

Subrata Bain's full name is Trimati Subrata Bain. He was born in 1967 at Holy Family Hospital in Dhaka. Originally from Jobarpar village in Agailjhara upazila of Barishal, he lived with his mother and three sisters in a rented house in Dhaka's Moghbazar area. He was the eldest.

He began his education at Oxford Mission School in Barishal and later transferred to Sher-e-Bangla School in Dhaka, where he passed his matriculation exams.

His entry into the world of crime reportedly began during his college years.

While seeking admission to Siddheswari College, he came into contact with a political leader who introduced him to firearms. Soon after, he had his own gang in Moghbazar.

Subrata first came under police scanner in 1993, following the murder of a vegetable vendor in Madhu Bazar. He gained further notoriety during the construction of the Bishal Centre in Moghbazar, where he was accused of extortion. He quickly rose to infamy, becoming a feared figure across Moghbazar, Ramna, Karwan Bazar, and Madhubagh.

In 1991, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Murad, a student leader from the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal.

Subrata also maintained close political ties. During the 1991 elections, he worked for the BNP in the Moghbazar area and became close to the then home minister. His birthday celebrations were reportedly attended by top BNP leaders, earning him the nickname "celebrity gangster".

Later, he clashed with Liaquat of the Awami League's youth wing, Jubo League, over territorial control in Moghbazar.

The infamous "Seven Star" was an organised criminal syndicate that was jointly led by Subrata Bain and Amin Rasul Sagor, alias Tokai Sagor.

The Moghbazar-based gang gained widespread notoriety in 1998.

Mollah Masud, Arman, and Tikka were among the top members of the gang.

In 2001, an Interpol Red Notice was issued against him, which remains active. Following the notice, he fled to Kolkata, where he continued his criminal activities. Kolkata police arrested him in 2008, but he later escaped to Nepal, only to be arrested again.

His most recent known arrest occurred in Kolkata in 2012. It's not clear when he returned to Bangladesh.

But following the fall of the Awami League regime in August last year, Subrata suddenly resurfaced and reportedly began meeting his old associates in Moghbazar, Mohakhali Wireless Gate, and Madhubagh.

After his return, it didn't take long for him to get involved in criminal activities, leading to his name popping up in several cases.

To evade arrest, he reportedly stayed in the capital's 300 feet area and later moved to Patuakhali for some time before his eventual arrest in Kushtia yesterday.