A fresh wave of violence in Dhaka's underworld has exposed a renewed struggle for dominance, with notorious criminal Sanjidul Islam Emon-long known as "Captain"-now seeking to establish himself as the city's undisputed "General", even whether he operates from prison or abroad.
Investigators and law enforcement officials say Emon has re-emerged as a central figure in the capital's criminal landscape, attempting to consolidate control over extortion rackets and organised crime networks across key areas, including Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, New Market and Elephant Road.
The latest flashpoint in this turf war is the killing of Khandaker Nayeem Ahmed Titon on April 28, 2026, an incident in which Emon is suspected to have played a role. A senior police official described the murder as "a calculated execution", pointing to deep-rooted rivalries and financial disputes within Dhaka's underworld.
Authorities believe the power struggle intensified following the political transition in 2024-2025, which created a vacuum that rival groups have sought to exploit. While several known criminals signalled intentions to return to normal life, Emon is alleged to have taken the opposite path-expanding influence and reasserting control.
Despite periods of incarceration, Emon has continued to direct operations. Law enforcement sources say he has run his network from jail as well as from abroad, particularly from Malaysia and previously from Bangkok. His ability to maintain command across borders has raised concerns among investigators about the resilience of organised crime structures.
His criminal history spans decades. He has been accused in multiple high-profile cases, including the murders of film actor Sohel Chowdhury in 1998 and Sayeed Ahmed Tipu in 1999. In 2008, after being deported from India, Emon reportedly confessed to involvement in seven murders committed between 1994 and 2002, according to investigators.
Emon's network has long been associated with contract killings, extortion, and territorial disputes. The now-defunct Emon-Mamun gang, once active across Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur and Tejgaon, was among the most feared syndicates in the capital. Its influence persisted even after internal rifts and targeted attacks, including an attempted shooting of associate Tariq Saif Mamun in 2023, and Mamun's eventual killing in November.
Recent incidents suggest the network remains active. In one case, a businessman was hacked and injured in broad daylight on Elephant Road, allegedly by Emon's associates, even as sources indicated he had already left the country using false documents and was operating from Malaysia.
Law enforcement agencies say Emon faces at least 33 cases, including multiple murder charges. In the past, he has also been identified by investigators as orchestrating killings from prison to maintain dominance over lucrative sectors such as the tannery business in Hazaribagh.
Officials warn that the reactivation of such networks, combined with the return or movement of other listed criminals, is contributing to instability in the capital's underworld. Detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch are currently investigating recent killings and interrogating known associates as part of efforts to contain the escalating conflict.
The unfolding situation underscores the enduring influence of entrenched crime networks in Dhaka-and the challenge authorities face in dismantling leadership structures that continue to operate across borders and from within the prison system.
