TDS Desk:

While inspecting a canal construction project, Bogura’s Shariakandi municipality’s assistant sub–engineer Jahangir Alam Biplob was abducted. His family secured his release after paying two separate ransoms. His wife later filed a kidnapping case against several unknown individuals.

This is not an isolated case. Reported abductions have more than doubled over the past five years across Bangladesh, a surge experts link to failures in law enforcement. Police, however, maintain that most incidents stem from business disputes or financial conflicts.

Official police statistics show a sharp rise. In 2021, the country recorded 445 abductions. The figure had more than doubled by last year, rising to 1,005. The preceding years saw 460 cases in 2022, 463 in 2023, and 642 in 2024. Last July recorded the highest monthly total with 109 cases, followed by October (110), January (105), November (93), December (87), April (88), August (90), March (83), February (78), June (80), and May (82).

Of the cases filed over abduction incidents, the highest number was recorded in the Dhaka Division and Dhaka Metropolitan area at 403. The second–highest number of abduction cases (203) occurred in the Chattogram Division and Chattogram Metropolitan area. The remaining 399 cases were registered at police stations in other divisions and metropolitan areas across the country.

Dhaka division and metropolis accounted for 403 of the total cases. Chattogram division and metropolis reported 203, while the remaining 399 cases were filed across other divisions and metropolitan police stations.

Abductions for ransom also increased. On November 7 last year, Cambrian College student Sudipto Roy was kidnapped from Dhaka’s Diabari. Police recovered his body four days later; investigators believe he was killed after his family failed to pay a ransom of BDT 8 million. Many missing persons do not return alive, a reality that intensifies social and psychological strain, especially on women and adolescents.

Certain areas have emerged as hubs for the crime. The hills of Cox’s Bazar’s border upazilas of Teknaf and Ukhiya now serve as key bases. Analysts note a spike in kidnap–for–ransom incidents after dry season begins.

Crime specialists say most kidnappings are financially motivated — linked to business disputes or rivalries. They argue that a breakdown in law and order following the recent political shift has created conditions for such crimes to flourish. Some abductions are for extortion, one analyst noted, while others target land or business establishments.

Dhaka and Chattogram, the country’s main financial centres, also account for most abductions. Many victims in these areas are businesspeople. Experts are urging law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively to curb the crime.

Dr. Md Tawohidul Haque, associate professor and criminologist at the University of Dhaka’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, describes abduction as the ultimate violation of human rights. “We primarily see this in commercial zones, especially cities with high financial activity like Dhaka and Chattogram, where kidnapping incidents are more frequent,” he told journalists. “Such crimes increase when equal importance is not given to each abduction case. People also fall victim to abduction for political reasons, as we have seen in the past. Political leadership must take a more responsible role here. Otherwise, incidents like abduction will rise for political or economic motives. Victim families often complain that not all abductions receive the same level of attention for securing hostages. Law enforcement agencies must take this into account in their work. Abduction is considered a grave violation of human rights.”

A recent example occurred in Narayanganj. On October 9 last year, businessman Md Mukbil Hossain was abducted from Mirerteck Bazar in Sonargaon upazila. His captors tortured him with hammers while demanding a ransom, eventually extracting BDT 70,000 from his family. Rescued in critical condition, he was admitted to Sonargaon Upazila Health Complex. His younger brother, Shah Alam, filed a complaint with Sonargaon police, naming two individuals.

Police headquarters acknowledges the annual rise in kidnappings and related cases. Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) AHM Shahadat Hossain said the force is reviewing the reasons behind last year’s increase. Speaking to journalists, he added: “Compared with last year, the rise in abduction incidents is being reviewed by the police with due seriousness. Many earlier cases were filed late, and the tendency to register disputes as abduction cases has also affected the statistics. Nevertheless, each complaint is being verified and investigated. In addition, the simplification of the process for filing cases and general diaries has had an impact.”