Crimes in Bangladesh are present in various forms, such as black marketeering, contract killing, corruption, drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, human trafficking, kidnapping, money laundering, murder, political violence, rape, robbery, terrorism, wildlife trafficking, etc. Chandabaji (extortion) is a significant and prevalent form of crime in Bangladesh. Extortionists target everyone from small shopkeepers to large construction projects and transport operators, often demanding ‘protection money’. Chandabaji is a form of corruption that affects poorer people more severely.
Chandabaji has different names and forms: tax, fees, contribution, fundraising, crowdsourcing, rent-seeking, crowdfunding, celebration of birthdays of national leaders, etc. Extortion is also in the form of renting government lands to poor people. This extortion is a joint venture of government employees and professional criminals.
Extortion is explicitly defined and criminalised in the Penal Code, 1860 of Bangladesh. Section 383 defines ‘extortion’ as intentionally putting a person in fear of any injury (to themselves or another) and thereby dishonestly inducing them to deliver property, valuable security, or anything signed or sealed that can be converted into valuable security. Section 384 prescribes punishment with imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or with a fine, or with both. More severe penalties, including life imprisonment, apply if the extortion involves threats of death or grievous hurt.
Extortion is often linked to organised criminal gangs, and unfortunately, individuals associated with political parties or ‘top terrors’ (some operating from jail or even abroad) are frequently implicated. A research report published on 5 March 2024 by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) found that Tk1,059 crore is extorted annually from privately owned buses and minibuses. This estimation of the extortion money is actually a conservative figure. The extortion is many times higher.
Another study in 2025 carried out by Transparency International Bangladesh found that the promise of building a ‘New Bangladesh’ through state reforms was facing significant setbacks as the culture of corruption, grabbing, extortion, and politicising remained unchanged during the past year of the interim government. The study found that the political parties were engaged in extortion, forcibly taking control of transport terminals and businesses and Tk2.21 crore was collected daily through extortion from 53 transport terminals and stands in Dhaka city alone.
The workers’ organisation of the ruling party usually dominates. The study also revealed that about 92 percent of large bus companies are linked to politicians, with 80 percent connected to the ruling party. The beneficiaries include politically affiliated individuals or groups, traffic and highway police, officials of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), owner and worker associations, and representatives of municipalities and city corporations.
The extortionists operate through their agents or collectors, known as ‘linemen.’ This is a new category of profession in Bangladesh. The wages of linemen are higher than common day labourers. They also have additional income for joining political programmes and chanting slogans.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam came up with a new definition of extortion in the transport sector and has clarified that money collected from transport operators based on mutual agreement cannot be classified as extortion, stressing that extortion only occurs when payment is forced. There are owners’ associations and workers’ associations; they spend the money on their welfare. It is like an unwritten rule. He further argued that there may be debate about how much is used, but they do this based on understanding.
The chronology of attempts to legalise extortion has been illustrated by a local daily newspaper in reference to ministry sources, around 2002, under BNP’s then Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, an advisory council meeting-initiated efforts to formulate a policy on transport-sector extortion. A subcommittee prepared recommendation, but the plan was not implemented amid criticism over its legitimacy. In 2009, during the Awami League government, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain and Workers Federation leader Shajahan Khan revised those recommendations and moved to draft a new policy.
The draft policy proposed that owners’ associations could collect up to Tk40, workers’ unions Tk20, and the national federation Tk10 per vehicle. Terminal committees could collect up to Tk70 collectively. However, amid criticism, the Awami League government did not approve the policy. Over time, the Tk70 collection in the name of owner-worker organisations became normalised, along with additional informal charges.
Different groups of extortionists primarily target trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles, coercing payments from drivers. Those who refuse to comply face harassment, intimidation, and, in some cases, physical assaults. Business owners report that these fees are considered a ‘cost of doing business,’ which contributes to higher prices for goods and services. This surge in extortion is taking a severe toll on transport workers and businesses, increasing the cost of goods and services due to additional financial burdens on logistics operations. The study also revealed that 60.5 percent of the passengers have complained about the collection of extra fares.
Extortion is one of the key reasons for the chaos and lawlessness in the transport sector, so the present government must find a sustainable solution to this problem. This sector is plagued by rampant corruption. This sector remains hostage, especially because of the political clout. As a result, the passengers are not receiving the expected service either.
The common people become victims of extortion in two ways. Firstly, many people must pay the toll directly. Secondly, extortion increases the prices of goods and services. Businesses have no other option but to consider the extortions as a cost of doing business and adjust the amount with the prices of the goods.
The prevalence of extortion fees has been considered as a tax and small and medium businesses in Bangladesh are not willing to pay income tax. The scourge of extortion has been eating away at business profits and depleting the take-home wages of workers.
(The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author)
The writer is the CEO, Bangla Chemical & Legal Economist. E-mail: [email protected]
