Sajjad Ali, notoriously known as “Boro Sajjad,” remains a symbol of terror in the criminal underworld of Chattogram.
Accused of numerous counts of murder, extortion, illegal occupation, and terrorism, his gang’s violence has spared no one, from prominent businessmen to ordinary pedestrians.
Sources say joining his ranks requires an oath taken with a hand on the Holy Quran, a vow for which the penalty for betrayal is death.
Hasan Raju of Raozan has recently met such a fate. Formerly involved in the politics of the Chhatra League, Raju joined Boro Sajjad’s gang following the events of 5 August. Most recently, his name appeared as the seventh accused in the murder case of Nasir Uddin in Raozan on 26 April.
Shooting at Shahid Madina Colony
The relationship between Boro Sajjad and Raju soured recently, leading to the latter’s death. On Thursday night, Raju was shot dead in front of his sister’s residence at the Shahid Madina Colony in the city’s Roufabad area.
A young pedestrian, 11-year-old Mosammat Reshmi Akter, was also caught in the gunfire. Raju hailed from the Kodalpur area of Raozan Upazila. The injured girl Reshmi, from Shahid Minar lane, is undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
According to eyewitnesses, a group of masked miscreants arrived at the entrance of the Shahid Minar Colony after 10pm and fired indiscriminately at Raju, who died on the spot.
A cold-blooded execution
Residents reported seeing Raju lying on the ground in a narrow alley of the colony shortly before 10pm. Four masked men approached him; two held his legs firmly while the other two, with chilling composure, fired two shots into his head and three into his chest before fleeing the scene.
Investigations suggest that Raihan of Raozan, Sajjad’s nephew Mohammad, Borhan from the Number 2 Gate area, “Golakata” Mobarak of Fatikchhari, and Dama Elias of Raozan were involved in the killing. Multiple law enforcement sources identify them as Boro Sajjad’s hired assassins.
Suspected motives
Police sources say the murder might also stem from old enmities. On 26 April, Nasir Uddin, a Juba Dal activist and returning expatriate, was shot dead in Kodalpur, Raozan.
Nasir’s daughter, Lovely Akter, had raised allegations against Hasan Raju, naming him the seventh accused in that case. Less than two weeks later, Raju was killed in an identical manner.
Officials from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Raju was associated with Chhatra League politics before 5 August, later joining Boro Sajjad.
Raju had worked alongside Raihan and Imon, but a recent dispute with Sajjad is believed by police to be the primary cause of his assassination.
Controversial social media claims
In a sensational turn of events following the murder, Mobarak Hossain, alias Imon – a follower of Boro Sajjad and a key accused in a double murder on Bakalia Access Road last year – posted on Facebook on the night of 7 May.
He blamed former CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, claiming that criminals are being used for extortion and that a portion of the proceeds went to the commissioner. The post stated that Hasib Aziz must take responsibility for any future killings.
However, the post was deleted from the “David Imon” account shortly after Raju’s death.
Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner (North) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the post had not yet come to their attention.
He noted that Raju headed his own criminal group and was in conflict with the Raihan group of Raozan, which likely led to the killing. Detailed information is expected following further investigation.
The legend of Boro Sajjad
Boro Sajjad has dominated headlines for years due to his demands for protection money from developers and businessmen, often resorting to open gunfire and public executions when ignored.
Although law enforcement claims he is a fugitive abroad, he reportedly controls the Chattogram underworld through his associates.
Police state that his gang’s activities in Chandgaon, Bayezid Bostami, Panchlaish, Hathazari, and Raozan have left approximately 500,000 people living in fear. In the last 18 months, his followers have been linked to at least 12 murders, including a double homicide.
Sajjad’s notoriety dates back to 12 July 2000, when he led a brushfire shooting at Bahaddarhat over the occupation of an institute, resulting in eight deaths, including six Chhatra League members.
He was also convicted for the murder of popular Ward Commissioner Liakat Ali. Sajjad was sentenced to life imprisonment for these crimes.
Escape and continued influence
Before his conviction, Sajjad was arrested following a gunfight with police, during which an AK-47 rifle was recovered. He later secured bail and fled to India. Authorities confirm that he is currently managing his criminal empire from abroad through local collaborators.
On 10 March, the CMP revealed that new recruits to the gang must take an oath on the Quran. Police recovered a video of this ritual after arresting three associates involved in a heavy arms attack on an industrialist’s home.
The video, sent to Sajjad in Dubai for approval, shows a youth vowing never to betray “Sajjad Bhai,” regardless of the cost to his life.
Remaining gang members
CMP records indicate that 20 to 22 dangerous criminals remain active in the gang, including Chhoto Sajjad, Raihan, Borhan Uddin, Nejam Uddin, Alauddin, Mobarak Hossain alias Imon, and Helal alias Machh Helal.
While Chhoto Sajjad, who led the group domestically, is currently in prison, most members remain at large. In his absence, Mohammad Raihan and Mobarak Hossain Imon have become increasingly reckless.
Raihan, who met Chhoto Sajjad in jail, has taken over the gang’s leadership and the management of Boro Sajjad’s arsenal following their release on bail after 5 August 2024. Raihan is now implicated in multiple murder cases.
