Extortion persists at Badamtoli market despite expose

Photo: collected

Illegal toll collections and vehicle extortion continue unabated at the Badamtoli fruit market in Old Dhaka, two months after an investigative report exposed extortionists charging truckers up to 30 times the official government-approved rate.

While roadside parking congestion between Badamtoli and Wiseghat has decreased following police enforcement, drivers and local merchants confirm that extortion networks continue to demand between Tk 200 and Tk 5,000 per vehicle under the guise of parking and unloading fees—drastically exceeding the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) official rate of Tk 100 per three hours.

During a recent visit, fewer trucks were seen parked along the road between Badamtoli and Wiseghat than before the earlier report was published.

Local drivers said police had been filing cases against illegally parked trucks after 9am, prompting many to leave early or move to designated parking areas.

BIWTA has also installed signboards displaying the approved parking rates for trucks, lorries and pickup vans. However, drivers said the notices had done little to reduce the charges.

Ahmed Ali, a pickup driver who regularly visits the market, said he pays Tk200 for parking for one to one and a half hours, while drivers unfamiliar to the collectors are charged Tk500.

"Those of us who come here every day are known to them, so they charge us less. Drivers who come after a long interval are charged Tk500," he said.

Mofij Uddin of Meem Fruits said a truck carrying oranges from Chittagong had to pay Tk3,000 to sell its goods at the market. The driver was also charged Tk500 to keep the vehicle parked after unloading.

The Tk3,000 collection alone is 20-30 times the official three-hour parking fee.

Another trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were reluctant to challenge the collections for fear of disrupting their business.

"We have come here to do business, not to get into disputes with them over the money. They are in power now, and we have to pay whatever amount they demand. There is nothing we can do," the trader said.

The parking yard remains under the alleged operational control of local BNP leader Sumon Bhuiyan, president of Dhaka South Metropolitan Sramik Dal and a prospective candidate for councillor of Ward 37.

However, the lease remains in the name of Karim Haji, whose lease was renewed. The former Awami League leader has been in hiding since August 5, 2024.

BIWTA Joint Director Md Mobarak Hossain Majumder said the authority had installed signboards to inform drivers and traders of the approved rates.

"No amount beyond the approved rate can be collected," he said, urging those charged extra to submit written complaints.

"If any trader faces such a situation, they can submit a written complaint to us. We will take action accordingly," he said.

Majumder said traders were reluctant to file written complaints, making it difficult for the authority to take action.

A BIWTA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sumon Bhuiyan continued to control the operation. Local traders made similar claims, while a person involved in collecting parking fees said Bhuiyan continued to pay the lease amount under a court order.

According to BIWTA, a case concerning the Badamtoli parking yard was filed on behalf of Karim Haji in 2022 and remains pending in court, preventing the authority from awarding a fresh lease.

A BIWTA source alleged that Sumon Bhuiyan was pursuing the case on Karim's behalf to retain control of the yard and prevent the authority from awarding a new annual lease. The source said Bhuiyan had an interest in maintaining the existing arrangement.

The August investigation also documented a Kotwali police patrol team, led by Sub-Inspector Arman, collecting Tk300 from trucks parked along the road at Wiseghat and allegedly threatening drivers with cases if they refused to pay.

Then DMP Lalbagh Division Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman had ordered an investigation into the allegations against the officers.

More than two months later, however, no formal departmental disciplinary action has been taken against them, according to a source familiar with the inquiry.

The source said the officers had been verbally warned and instructed not to engage in similar activities again.

Current DMP Lalbagh Division Deputy Commissioner Md Mostak Sarkar said he was unaware of the allegations, adding that he had received no written documents concerning the matter since taking charge of the division.

Experts say failing to take disciplinary action despite evidence of misconduct can undermine accountability and allow bribery and extortion to persist within law enforcement agencies.

Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge KM Robiul Islam told the media that after seeing the report, he had issued strict instructions to all teams under his command to ensure that no police personnel became involved in similar activities.

He said police were now taking a strict stance against such misconduct.

The developments suggest that although roadside parking has improved and BIWTA has displayed the official rates, the central problem of persistent extortion remains unresolved.

Courtesy: Dhaka Tribune.