Extortion in Karwan Bazar costs crores daily

Allegations of widespread extortion in Karwan Bazar, one of the capital’s largest wholesale markets, have been raised by Saiful Alam Khan, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-12 and leader of the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The MP claimed that extortion in the market costs ordinary consumers heavily, with two to three crore taka reportedly being collected every day.

Saiful Alam Khan made the comments on Monday during a budget dialogue organised by the Nagorik Platform in Dhaka.

He also highlighted similar concerns at the nearby Mohakhali Bus Stand, calling for urgent action to end the practice.

“I represent an area plagued by extortion,” the MP said.

“In Karwan Bazar alone, nearly two to three crore taka is collected daily. Several wholesale chicken shops are reportedly forced to pay around 60 lakh taka each month.

Explaining the full extent of extortion here could take an entire day.”

The MP did not limit his criticism to unnamed actors. He stated that extortion has historically been linked to individuals connected to the ruling party.

“Previously, people from the ruling party were responsible, and even now, it is still members of the ruling party,” he claimed.

Saiful Alam Khan also referenced past incidents in his constituency. “The former Home Minister, from my own neighbourhood, was involved in extortion.

A Jubo Dal leader, Musabbir, was killed in connection with extortion in Karwan Bazar. A BNP MP reportedly intended to file a case, but the police did not pursue charges against ruling party affiliates.”

The MP said he has raised the issue with the current Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed. “I sought his cooperation, and he advised me to take the matter to the Prime Minister.

My aim is to stop extortion in Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali Bus Stand, and the wider Tejgaon area.”

During the same discussion, A H M Sofiquzzaman, President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), linked extortion to rising consumer hardship. “Inflation is increasing, and people are struggling.

To ease the burden, import duties on essential goods should be reduced in the budget,” he said. He also cautioned against further increases in fuel prices.

Echoing Sofiquzzaman’s concerns, Saiful Alam Khan stressed the connection between extortion and rising commodity prices, underlining the economic impact of such practices on everyday consumers.