Dhaka, July 12 (V7N) – Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of scrap businessman Lal Chand Sohag in the Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital premises in Old Dhaka. The latest arrests were made on Friday, when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) detained Monir Hossain and Alamgir Hossain from Keraniganj, both named in the case. Earlier, police had arrested Mahmoodul Hasan Mohin and Tarek Rahman Robin.

The authorities have also identified four more suspects through CCTV footage and local testimony. The suspects are Mohammad Monir, an outsourcing worker at Mitford Hospital; ambulance driver Nannu; Apu Das, a recently expelled member of the Chawkbazar Thana Chhatra Dal; and Sorwar Hossain Titu, a former member of Chawkbazar Thana Jubo Dal.

In response to the arrest of these individuals, Jubo Dal, Swachhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal expelled five members named in connection with the case from their respective organizations.

New CCTV Footage Reveals Chilling Details

New CCTV footage obtained on Friday reveals the brutal nature of the crime. In the video, Lal Chand Sohag can be seen being struck with large stones and bricks. One youth, dressed in an azure shirt and jeans, repeatedly attacks him with a stone. Another individual, dressed in a blue and white T-shirt and grey pants, takes over the assault, hitting Sohag again with the same stone. A third individual, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans, uses a brick to crush his head. Mahin is also visible walking around the scene. Despite the gruesome attack, no bystanders intervened.

Investigation and Motive Behind the Murder

Initial investigation suggests the murder was triggered by a financial dispute between the victim and Mahin. Mahin had reportedly allowed Sohag to run a metal shop under the name "Sohana Metal," but a disagreement arose over money, leading to a falling out. Two or three days before the murder, Mahin reportedly locked the shop. Sohag subsequently broke the lock to reopen the store, which enraged Mahin and his accomplices, resulting in the fatal attack.

Following the murder, an attempt was made to alter the narrative, as the perpetrators left the body on the street while shouting slogans against extortion, hoping to frame the incident as a "mob lynching" of an extortionist.

Alleged Involvement of Political Figures

Sohag had reportedly been involved in extorting money from local scrap dealers, and a significant portion of the collected money was allegedly sent to local Awami League leaders. Sources claim that from August 5 onward, the extortion money started to go through Mahin to former central Jubo Dal leader, Ishaq Sarkar. Tensions arose when Sohag resisted the shift in payment collection, resulting in the conflict that eventually led to his murder.

Ishaq Sarkar, however, denied any involvement in the extortion scheme, calling the accusations false. He mentioned that Sohag had approached him with money to offer, but he rejected it, advising Sohag to avoid such dealings. Sarkar denied any connection to the murder or its alleged political motivations.

Jubo Dal's Response

Sohag was reportedly associated with Jubo Dal, though his exact position within the organization remains unclear. A photograph circulating on social media shows Sohag standing behind the General Secretary of Jubo Dal at an organizational event.

Jubo Dal's General Secretary, Mohammad Noorul Islam Noyon, spoke to the press, acknowledging that the accused, Mahin, was a former member of the organization but had no official position. Noyon emphasized that the organization does not condone illegal actions and has expelled any members involved in criminal activity.

"We expect all our members to adhere to the ideals of the organization. If anyone strays from the path, we take strict action. Mahin was a former member of Chhatra Dal, and he was expelled from there. He is not part of Jubo Dal," Noyon added.

Conclusion

The investigation into the killing of Lal Chand Sohag is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the full details of the motive behind the crime. Meanwhile, several political figures, including Ishaq Sarkar and Razzab Ali Pintoo, have been linked to the case, with political rivalries adding complexity to the situation.

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