Who is Aziz Bhai?

‘Bhai’ is used to mean brother in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. But, when it comes as a name or part of a name or a title, it may create confusion.

Many people in Bangladesh heard the name Aziz Mohammed Bhai as an underworld Godfather. Some people may think he ranks top post in the underworld mafia and hence his followers call him ‘Bhai’ after his name Aziz Mohammed considering him an elder brother. Here the confusion is.

Bhai is a title here; a family title. Every one of Aziz Mohammed Bhai’s family legacy carries the title as a surname. Even the women do too.

Aziz Mohammed Bhai has been accused of multiple murder cases related to Bangladesh films including those of actor Sohel Chowdhury and one of the heartthrob heroes Salman Shah.

On Wednesday, police arrested Ashis Roy Chowdhury, number one accused in Sohel Chowdhury killing case. And the name of Aziz Mohammed Bhai has come to the spotlight again. Sohel Chowdhury was allegedly killed following a trade barb with Bhai 23 years earlier.

Who is Aziz Mohammed Bhai?

Bhai is officially known as a businessman. He produced about 50 Dhallywood movies. There are several allegations of homicide and drug trafficking against him.

The Bhai family migrated from India’s Gujarat to Bangladesh. The tycoon family started residing in Old Dhaka. Aziz Bhai was born in 1962 at Armanitola.

He is a lifetime member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce. Aziz Bhai owns the Olympic Battery, Olympic Ballpen,  Olympic Bread and Biscuit, MB Pharmaceutical, MB Films and many other business companies in Bangladesh.  

Besides, he has hotel and resorts business in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. He is accused of maintaining close ties with Mumbai don Daud Ibrahim.

The law enforcers conducted a drive at Bhai’s residence in the capital on 27 October 2019 and found a huge amount of foreign liquor, and unlawful drug and casino equipment.

Bhai was held during the dictator Ershad’s regime. It is said that there was a conflict between the two big shots with a woman. Later he was released following the request of Prince Abdul Karim Aga Khan. Bhai was also accused of killing an editor of a daily.

In 1997, Bhai came to the limelight enormously after the death of heartthrob hero Salman Shah.  

Bhai was grilled twice to reveal the Salman Shah tragedy. But, the police got no clues. After two years, Sohel Chowdhury was killed in Dhaka club.