Justice Delayed as Suspects in Brutal Old Dhaka Murder Threaten Victim Family
Photo Collected
One year after the brutal public murder of scrap metal trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, in Old Dhaka, his family remains gripped by fear as the judicial process languishes and key suspects continue to roam free. The killing, which took place on July 9 last year in front of the Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, sparked nationwide outrage after CCTV footage showed the 39-year-old being beaten, stripped, and trampled by a mob.
Following the incident, authorities promised a swift investigation and a trial at a speedy tribunal. However, a year later, the case has faced significant delays, procedural errors in police documentation, and a lack of urgency in apprehending the remaining suspects. According to a report by Prothom Alo, while 13 of the 21 indicted individuals are currently in custody, eight remain at large.
The victim’s family alleges that those evading capture are actively intimidating them, warning them against pursuing the case. Bithi Akter, the niece of the victim and representative for the plaintiff, claimed that one fugitive suspect, identified as Imran, has been threatening to kill the remaining family members if they do not close their business. Despite being officially listed as a fugitive, the family alleges that Imran is openly operating a scrap shop in the area.
Discrepancies in the police charge sheet have further fueled the family’s distrust. They allege that the name of a suspect’s father was altered in the final document, potentially to facilitate bail. When questioned regarding the clerical errors and the family’s security concerns, the current investigating officer, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shah Md. Faisal Ahmed of Kotwali Police Station, denied intentional tampering but failed to provide a clear explanation for the inconsistencies or the suspects’ continued public presence.
The police investigation identified local business rivalries as the motive, naming Mahmud Hasan Mahin and Sarwar Hossain as the primary planners who orchestrated the assault. Investigators noted that the killers demonstrated extreme brutality, celebrating over the victim’s body after confirming his death.
The failure to bring the case to a speedy tribunal has left the victim’s family in a state of constant insecurity. Adding to the gravity of the situation, reports have emerged that one of the fugitives, Sharafat, has recently been linked to fresh charges of extortion in South Keraniganj. As the legal proceedings move to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, the victim’s family continues to demand that the government fulfill its initial promise to fast-track the trial, citing the persistent threats they face from the suspects still at large.
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