A luxury vehicle, long abandoned at the entrance of Gulshan Police Station, has become a source of curiosity for passersby and local residents. The car, a deep blue Toyota Land Cruiser Pajero VVT (ZDX), is estimated to be worth approximately 45 million Bangladeshi Taka. Despite its value, the vehicle now sits neglected within the police compound, covered in dust and marked with political slogans.
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Ownership and Background
Investigations reveal that the vehicle belongs to former Law Minister Anisul Hoque. Following the government’s collapse in July 2024, Anisul briefly went into hiding. On 13 August 2024, he and a close industrialist associate, Salman F. Rahman, attempted to flee by river but were intercepted by the Coast Guard at Dhaka’s Sadarghat.
Seizure and Initial Placement
According to police sources, the car was initially kept in the basement parking of United Hospital. During a raid on 16 September 2024, the vehicle was recovered. However, due to locked doors, it could not be immediately relocated. It was subsequently placed under the supervision of the hospital’s security personnel.
A letter to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) confirmed that the car was registered in Anisul Hoque’s name on 4 October 2022, with validity until 31 December 2025. The vehicle had been imported duty-free under the Member of Parliament quota.
Police Application for Use
In September 2024, Gulshan police submitted an application to the court seeking permission to use the vehicle for official duties. The submission stated that the car was exposed to the open air and that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) faced a shortage of operational vehicles. Officials argued that activating the vehicle for police use would improve law enforcement efficiency and prevent further deterioration.
Items Recovered
When the vehicle was transferred to the police station, authorities recovered two police walkie-talkies, a tax token, registration papers, and some documents from the Ministry of Law. The walkie-talkies were later returned to Constable Mohammad Ali Jinnah, previously assigned as Anisul Hoque’s aide.
Current Condition
A recent inspection of the car on Thursday afternoon revealed that the thick layer of dust had obscured its original colour. Both front and rear wheels remain intact, but political slogans are scrawled across the body, reflecting its controversial history.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Car Model | Toyota Land Cruiser Pajero VVT (ZDX) |
| Colour | Deep Blue |
| Estimated Value | 45 million BDT |
| Owner | Former Law Minister Anisul Hoque |
| Registration Date | 4 October 2022 |
| Validity | Until 31 December 2025 |
| Seizure Location | United Hospital Basement Parking |
| Police Use Approval | Court application submitted |
Experts, however, note that vehicles of this calibre are rarely used for routine police duties. Senior officers typically do not utilise such high-value cars, leaving uncertainty over which level of official would ultimately be assigned the vehicle.