Extortion in Dhaka: Businesses Living in Fear

Businessmen and entrepreneurs across Bangladesh are facing escalating threats from extortionists, with violence and intimidation becoming increasingly common. In Pallabi, a businessman was recently targeted with a demand for five crore taka, accompanied by threats that he and his family would be killed if the payment was not made. When the demand went unmet, the businessman was shot in the leg, leaving him and his family in a state of continuous fear.

Since 5 August of the previous year, silent extortion has surged across Dhaka and other major cities. Business leaders report mounting pressure, particularly following political changes. A businessman from Chittagong revealed that he too faced demands for substantial sums, while a female entrepreneur stated that a notorious local gangster, Boro Sajjad, demanded one crore taka and repeatedly threatened her life.

In commercial hubs such as Karwan Bazar, Gulistan, New Market, Mirpur, Jatrabari, Tejgaon, Uttara, and Motijheel, street vendors are forced to pay between 100 and 500 taka daily. A leader of the Hawkers’ Owners Association confirmed that extortionists are collecting large sums through intimidation, adding that these payments are effectively a daily burden on small traders.

Authorities note that many extortionists maintain strong political affiliations, dominating sectors including business, transport, housing, and labour organisations. Over the past 14 months, more than 100 people have been killed for failing to meet extortion demands, with 20 of these deaths occurring in Dhaka alone. Police report that more than a thousand extortionists have been arrested in the last ten months.

The economic impact is substantial. In Dhaka’s transport sector alone, around 25.75 million taka is collected daily, with monthly totals reaching 60–80 million taka. Nationwide, extortion generates thousands of crores annually, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.

Intelligence sources have identified five principal groups behind extortion: political figures, elements within law enforcement, self-interested administrative officials, local criminal gangs, and leaders operating under professional organisations. Despite government and police efforts to curb criminal activity, extortion continues to pose a serious threat to public safety and business operations.

The following table summarises key extortion trends in Bangladesh:

Authorities continue to urge the public to report extortion and cooperate with law enforcement, as combating this entrenched criminal activity remains a top priority.