Chhoto Sazzad Remains in Custody Amid Gang Turmoil

Chattogram’s infamous criminal figure, Sazzad Hossain, widely known as Chhoto Sazzad, will remain behind bars following a decisive order from the Appellate Division suspending his bail in all pending High Court cases. While he had previously secured bail from the High Court, the latest ruling has rendered that legal reprieve temporarily void.

On Wednesday, 17 December, the Appellate Division formally suspended his bail, leaving Chhoto Sazzad in custody. Sources from Chattogram Metropolitan Police and the courts confirm that the order now takes precedence, and the High Court bail is effectively non-operative.

Police and court records indicate that Sazzad Hossain faces 19 criminal cases, including 10 charges of murder. His wife, Sharimon Tamanna, is similarly implicated, facing 8 cases, several of which are murder-related. In September, both husband and wife were granted bail in four murder cases by the High Court, but the official orders only reached Chattogram courts later this week. Tamanna is currently detained at Feni Prison.

Sazzad was apprehended on 15 March 2025 at a shopping mall in Dhaka. Following his arrest, a video of Tamanna urging for her husband’s release, in which she was seen exclaiming about “bundles of money,” circulated widely on social media. The video sparked controversy, leading to Tamanna’s subsequent arrest. Law enforcement agencies are reportedly monitoring developments closely.

Despite Chhoto Sazzad’s incarceration, police assert that his criminal network remains highly active. The gang is estimated to comprise around 50 members, involved in murders, extortion, and other criminal activities. In Sazzad’s absence, leadership has shifted to Mohammad Raihan, Mobarak Hossain Iman, Borhan Uddin Kader, and Nazim, who coordinate operations locally.

Several violent incidents linked to the gang have been reported:

Police report that Chhoto Sazzad is closely aligned with Boro Sazzad, another notorious fugitive, and continues to influence criminal activities indirectly. Authorities emphasise that his continued detention is critical to curbing organised crime and restoring public safety in Chattogram, where residents remain fearful of gang-related violence.

Law enforcement officials have pledged to maintain vigilance and monitor developments closely to prevent further escalation of violence linked to Sazzad Hossain and his associates.