An assistant sub-inspector of police was detained after he reportedly ran over a crowd while driving a seized bus to the nearest police box, killing at least two people and injuring two others in the capital's Gulistan today.
"ASI Emadul Haque has been detained following the incident and filing of a case against him is underway," said Abdul Ahad, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Motijheel Division).
One of the deceased, Shukkur Mahmud (58), who died on the spot, was a US expatriate, hailing from Narayanganj. The details of Tusher (30) who died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, is yet to be known.
Two others were also injured, while several rickshaws and motorcycles were damaged, according to witnesses present at the scene.
The incident took place around 3:00 pm when ASI Emadul stopped a bus of Sraban Transport near the Kaptan Bazar area over faulty documents and forced the driver to get off the vehicle, said witnesses.
According to DC Ahad, the Sraban Transport driver and helper fled the scene after injuring a policeman in the area.
"While the ASI was trying to drive the bus to a safer place, he lost control over the steering due to brake failure leading to death of the two victims, he added.
While taking a right turn within 100 yards, Emadul reportedly ran the bus over pedestrians and hit a divider, eyewitnesses said. At the time, there were no passengers on the bus.
