CID Files Money Laundering Case Against Ena Transport Owner

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a case under the Money Laundering Prevention Act against Khandaker Enayet Ullah, former General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association and owner of Ena Transport. According to CID, he allegedly amassed more than 1.07 billion taka through extortion and subsequently attempted to disguise the illicit funds as legitimate income by circulating them through a complex network of bank transactions.

The case was registered on Tuesday by the CID’s Financial Crime Unit at Ramna Police Station, and the matter was disclosed on Wednesday through an official statement signed by CID’s Special Superintendent for Media, Jasim Uddin Khan.

The statement reveals astonishing financial movements: a total of 2,131 crore taka was deposited in 199 bank accounts belonging to Enayet Ullah and members of his family, while withdrawals totalled 2,007 crore taka. CID maintains that the funds generated through extortion were routed through multiple accounts using “structuring” and “smart layering” techniques—classic hallmarks of money laundering.

CID investigators examined records from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, various banks, land offices, sub-registry offices, the Bangladesh Transport Owners’ Association, and media reports. Based on the findings, authorities secured court orders to seize two flats in Dhanmondi and two plots in Rupganj, valued at approximately 10 crore taka. In addition, 53 bank accounts worth around 110 crore taka have been frozen since 3 July.

The statement also outlines Enayet Ullah’s rise in the transport sector. Starting in the late 1980s with a single old bus purchased on partnership, he expanded rapidly to a fleet of about 20 within a few years. He soon achieved significant influence within transport owners’ associations. Over the years, he switched political allegiances—initially with the BNP and later joining the Awami League, where he held the position of Vice-President of Dhaka South Awami League.

CID argues that his political affiliations emboldened him. Following the Awami League’s return to power in 2008, and continuing until the government’s fall on 5 August 2025, he served consecutively for 16 years as both General Secretary of Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association and Secretary-General of the national organisation.

According to the allegations, a syndicate led by Enayet Ullah collected overt extortion from bus owners. Alongside daily and monthly “fees”, owners had to pay between 200,000 and 500,000 taka to introduce a new bus on any route. In many cases, transport owners were reportedly forced to hand over a share of a newly purchased vehicle to Enayet Ullah, failing which the bus would not be permitted to operate. As a result, several companies charged buyers additional amounts to cover these payments.