Rafiqul Islam Biplob 

Five police member have been temporarily suspended after an accused in 25 criminal cases escaped from custody while being transferred back to Kasimpur Central Jail following a court hearing in Dhaka.

The fugitive, identified as Raja alias "Picchi Raja," managed to flee after asking to use a restroom on his way back to prison.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Acting Commissioner Mohammad Taherul Huq Chauhan confirmed the matter on Monday morning. 

"Following the escape, five police personnel—including officers of various ranks and the driver of the prison van—were temporarily suspended. In addition, a three-member investigation committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Headquarters, Gazipur Metropolitan Police, has been formed to probe the incident," he stated.

According to police sources, Picchi Raja, known as a top drug dealer in the capital's Mohammadpur area, was arrested on May 19 this year. Upon receiving information that Raja, his wife, and his brother-in-law were returning from Nepal, police positioned themselves at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and detained them with the assistance of Immigration Police. Raja currently faces 25 charges, including drug and firearms offenses.

Nazrul Islam, Senior Jail Super of Kasimpur Central Jail-1, said Raja was taken to the Dhaka Metropolitan Court in a prison van on Sunday morning for a hearing.

While being transported back to Kasimpur Central Jail-1 in Gazipur, the prison van reached the Naojor area, where Raja requested a restroom break. When escorting officers brought him to a nearby toilet, he managed to slip away using a trick and fled the scene.