The gruesome public murder of scrap dealer Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, 39, in front of Gate-3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, popularly known as Mitford Hospital, has shocked the nation and prompted swift government action to ensure justice.
Five individuals involved in the incident have been arrested as investigations proceed with the highest priority.
The brutal attack occurred in the afternoon on Wednesday, July 9, when a group of assailants dragged businessman Lal Chand Mia from his shop and brutally attacked him on the pavement in front of hundreds of people.
Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury confirmed that all individuals involved have been brought under the law, with five arrests made.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, interim government Law Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul announced the government's full commitment to ensuring swift justice, confirming five arrests have already been made and police investigations have begun with the highest priority.
Investigation and arrests
Following the incident, police from Kotwali police station swiftly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Law enforcement prepared an inquest report and sent the body for autopsy. The victim’s elder sister subsequently filed a murder case at Kotwali police station.
Two individuals were arrested from the scene immediately after the incident on Wednesday evening. These arrestees were identified as Mahmudul Hasan Mohin (41) and Tarek Rahman Robin (22). Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) confirmed arresting these two accused with weapons shortly after the incident.
Later, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two more people along with weapons. Additionally, one more person was arrested last night.
RAB also confirmed continuing operations in the case, with Director General Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman stating that several people suspected of involvement have been arrested, and a shadow investigation is ongoing.
A Dhaka court has granted five days' remand for Mohin and two days' remand for Robin in connection with the murder. During Robin's arrest, a foreign-made pistol was recovered from his possession. While Mohin and Robin were named and identified, the identities of two other accused arrested by RAB were not initially disclosed.
However, sources later confirmed that RAB arrested suspects Monir and Alamgir mentioned in the case.
Horrific footage
Footage of the incident, which later spread on social media, showed Sohag lying half-naked and barely breathing on a waterlogged road near the hospital. The assailants ensured his death by beating, chopping, and crushing his head.
The video shows one of the assailants striking Sohag forcefully with a large piece of concrete multiple times. Subsequently, another assailant struck Sohag directly in the face with another large concrete piece, followed by another assailant hitting his head with bricks handed to them by Nannu, continuing until Sohag's head was completely crushed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Lalbagh Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jasim Uddin elaborated that no evidence of extortion has been found in Sohag's murder.
Instead, he indicated that Sohag was killed due to disputes over control of the scrap businesses and financial transactions. The suspects involved in Sohag's murder were also engaged in the scrap business.
Police are investigating whether the motive was purely business-related or if other factors were involved. The identities and political affiliations of the accused have not yet been confirmed.
