Gangsters return reviving Dhaka’s underworld
Years in prison and prolonged periods in hiding have failed to dismantle Dhaka’s long-established underworld networks, as several notorious criminals regain influence following their release on bail, raising fresh concerns over extortion, gang rivalry and organised crime in the capital.
More than two decades after the government published its list of the country’s 23 most wanted criminals, many of the figures continue to shape the city’s criminal landscape.
Recent murders and open extortion incidents suggest that imprisonment and exile have done little to weaken their influence, while law enforcement agencies admit they have limited information on the whereabouts of several fugitives operating from abroad.
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, areas including Dhanmondi, New Market, Tejgaon, Karwan Bazar, Mirpur and Ramna were dominated by armed gangs involved in daylight shootings, multi-crore extortion, tender manipulation and territorial control, severely undermining police authority.
In 2001, the notorious “Five Star” gang was established at an office in Bijoynagar under the leadership of Freedom Rasu, Manik, Sohel, Jisan and Mirpur’s Keramat, keeping law enforcement under constant pressure.
Against this backdrop, the then Home Ministry on 26 December 2001 published a list of the country’s 23 most dangerous criminals, announcing cash rewards for their arrest and placing their names on Interpol records.
Although many were later arrested, their recent release and renewed gang activity have exposed continuing weaknesses in surveillance and intelligence.
Following the political changeover in August 2024, several notorious figures, including Sheikh Aslam alias Sweden Aslam, Khorshed Alam Rasu alias Freedom Rasu, Md Abbas Ali alias Killer Abbas, Sohel alias Freedom Sohel and Imamul Hossain alias Pichchi Helal, secured bail and were released from Kashimpur and Keraniganj Central Jails.
Another listed criminal, Khandaker Naeem Ahmed Titon, was freed on bail on 12 August 2024 after serving around 20 years in prison.
However, the struggle for control of the underworld quickly turned deadly when he was shot dead in broad daylight in the New Market area on 28 April.
Investigators later found evidence linking Pichchi Helal, ranked 16th on the original list, to Titon’s murder.
His name also surfaced in connection with a separate double murder near Sadek Khan’s warehouse in Mohammadpur.
Despite these allegations, no comprehensive post-bail monitoring mechanism has been introduced.
According to intelligence sources, many criminals were released after the political transition on 5 August 2024. Some remain active in Bangladesh, while others continue directing operations from overseas.
Those who stayed in the country have increasingly become targets of violent internal rivalries.
Officials estimate that among the original 23 listed criminals, 11 are fugitives abroad, four are free on bail, five have died and three remain in prison.
Police acknowledge that they possess little verified information about many of those who fled overseas, although they claim those released on bail remain under surveillance.
One of the most notorious names, Sheikh Aslam alias Sweden Aslam, is accused in 22 criminal cases, including nine murder cases.
Once known for travelling in disguise while wearing a bulletproof vest, he was arrested in 1997 and again in 2005 before being released on bail from Kashimpur High Security Central Jail in September last year.
Freedom Sohel also spent more than two decades behind bars before securing bail. He faces 11 criminal cases, including murder and arms charges.
Several others are believed to be living overseas. Haris Ahmed alias Hares, who received a presidential pardon, is reportedly residing in Europe.
Jafar Ahmed Manik and Prokash Kumar Biswas are believed to be in the United States, while Aga Shamim, Jabbar Munna and Freedom Imam are reportedly in India.
Aminur Rasul Sagar alias Tokai Sagar is said to be hiding in the US, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hannan is believed to be somewhere in Europe.
Meanwhile, the fate of Kala Jahangir, once ranked the country’s number one listed criminal, remains unknown after his disappearance in 2003. Police also have no confirmed information about Liakat, who vanished during the One-Eleven period.
Of the original 23, five have died. Titon was killed in a gang attack, Seven Star leader Khandaker Tanvir Islam Joy died in Kuala Lumpur, Kamal Pasha died in prison while receiving treatment, M Alauddin was beaten to death by a mob in Rampura in 2002, and Pichchi Hannan was killed in an alleged RAB gunfight in 2004.
Separately, Subrata Bain and his associate Mollah Masud, who returned after serving lengthy prison terms in India, were arrested by the army in Kushtia and remain in custody.
Crime analysts say prolonged judicial proceedings and the absence of effective monitoring after bail have enabled many former gang leaders to rebuild their networks.
In several cases, they allegedly avoid direct involvement while followers use their names to extort businesses.
Speaking to The New Nation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Musleh Uddin said it was unfortunate that these criminals had shown no signs of reform despite spending many years in prison. He added that police were closely monitoring those released on bail.
Detective Branch chief and Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam told The New Nation that law enforcement agencies were keeping track of these individuals and would take strict legal action against anyone found involved in criminal activities.
Despite those assurances, investigators and analysts warn that international links, revived criminal networks and weak administrative oversight continue to fuel a resurgence of organised crime, making coordinated action against both domestic and overseas fugitives increasingly urgent.
