In the drive against casinos, foreigners were not arrested and since the operation began on Sept 18 last, more than hundred Nepalese and Chinese citizens linked to the casinos fled the country.
Some members of the law enforcers are accused of aiding the foreigners to flee the country. Director of RAB’s legal and media wing, Lt Col Md Sarwar Bin Kashem, said: “Efforts are underway to arrest foreigners linked to the trade.”
Two members of the police force were temporarily suspended for abetting 15 Nepalese citizens from a flat in Segunbagicha on the night of Sept 18 last. The officials are: ASI Golam Hossain and constable, Dipankar Chakma.
Sources say that casinos began in 2015 at the Victoria Club with the help of Nepalese citizen Dinesh Sharma and Rajkumar; a few days later, Dinesh sold the casino to another Nepalese called Baba.
The casino at Kalabagan was opened by a Nepalese called Ajay Pakral who also ran the Golden Club casino at Banani, while the gambling was run at the Sainik Club by another Nepalse called Pradip.
In Elephant Road, casino was started at Ajax Club by Rajkumar and Choto Rajkumar, Nepalese citizen Krisha had co-ownership of casinos at Mohammedan Club.
Executive magistrate of RAB, Md Sarwar Alam, said: “If a foreigner wants to work in Bangladesh then permission from the board of investment is needed and those who worked here did not have any permission; they came here on tourist visa and worked at the gambling dens without any work permits."