Habibur Rahman Mizan alias Pagla Mizan is known to everybody, particularly in the capital’s Mohammadpur area for his notorious activities. He was a Ward 45 councillor of the then Dhaka City Corporation (DCC).
During the rule of Awami League, he maintained close link with Chhatra League and Jubo League to accumulate wealth. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina government, he has been trying to affiliate himself with BNP.
Hailing from Jhalokathi district, Mizan came to Dhaka in 1973. In 1980, he was arrested on charge of robbery. He pretended to be mentally sick at that time, and since then he has been popularly known as ‘Pagla Mizan.’
Local sources alleged that Mizan unleashed a reign of terror in Mohammadpur in 1980s. He was involved in committing various crimes including robbery in Sangsad Bhaban, Syed Road, Iqbal Road and Mirpur Road areas.
In 1975, Mizan grabbed abandoned properties of Pakistanis in Mohammadpur and established the foundation for his ‘empire’ there. In 1994, he was elected councillor of Ward 45 under the then DCC.
After becoming ward councilor, he took control over drug trade, and amassed wealth through illegal means. He acquired huge properties, including apartments in Dhaka, along with real estate holdings under various names. He is accused in various cases, according to court records. The properties he own include Habib Market at Mohammadpur intersection and a large plot on Boshila Road. In addition, he owned property in Chandrima Housing, which he later sold. He also owns several multi-storey buildings, a six-storey house on Block B and a seven-story building at Lalmatia in Mohammadpur.
He is reportedly residing in a flat on Aurangzeb Road in Mohammadpur. He also owns a five-storey apartment building with 10 flats at Paltan in the capital.
A key figure in Mizan’s network is Arifur Rahman Tuhin, convenor of Adabar Thana unit of Jubo League. His other associates include former councillor Rajib and ex-BCL leaders Masud Rana Shahin and Mozibur.
Further investigation reveals his involvement in the casino business. He allegedly laundered crores of taka abroad and facing money laundering cases. During a 2019 casino raid, Mizan was nabbed while trying to flee to India and was sent to jail.
Mizan has been involved in extortion, drug trade, and illegal electricity and gas connections in Mohammadpur Bihari camp. His brothers Mustafizur Rahman, Helal, Dulal and Shajahan were also been involved in illegal activities. They carried out illegal business during the AL government. Of them, Mustafizur was killed in 1995.
During this period, Helal got several contracts worth Tk 500-600 crore from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and city corporation without tenders with the backing from former MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak.
A portion of the funds from the contracts went to Mohammadpur Thana Awami League president Sadek Khan, councilor Mizan, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak.
This correspondent tried to contact Mizan for his comments, but he could not be reached over phone.
