DMP Clarifies: Sohag Killed Over Business Dispute, Not Extortion

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has provided new information regarding the murder of Lal Chand, alias Sohag (39), a scrap trader, in front of Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka. The police have clarified that the killing was not due to extortion but stemmed from a conflict over the scrap business and control of a shop. The victim, Sohag, and the perpetrators were previously business associates, according to the police.

At a press conference held on Saturday (July 12) at the DMP Media Center, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lalbagh Division Mohammad Jasim Uddin shared these details.

Based on the initial interrogation of the arrested suspects, DC Jasim Uddin stated, “There was a dispute over the scrap business and who would control the shop. The victim, Sohag, and those who committed the murder had been doing business together for some time. When conflicts arose over business transactions, they became embroiled in a dispute, which led to the murder.” Describing the incident, DC Jasim said that on Wednesday (July 9) around 6:00 PM, a group of individuals brutally attacked and hacked Lal Chand, alias Sohag, to death in front of Gate No. 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital. Upon receiving the news, Kotwali Police Station promptly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. On July 10, the victim’s elder sister filed a murder case at Kotwali Police Station as the plaintiff. The police prepared a preliminary report and sent the body to the hospital morgue for an autopsy. On July 11, police collected CCTV footage from the crime scene and conducted raids across various parts of the capital, arresting two named suspects, Mahmudul Hasan Mohin (41) and Tarek Rahman Robin (22). A foreign-made pistol was recovered from Tarek Rahman Robin during his arrest. Additionally, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two others, Alamgir (28) and Monir, alias Chhota Monir (25), in connection with the incident. On Friday night, Kotwali Police arrested another named suspect, Md. Titon Gazi (32). DC Jasim further stated, “The police are highly active in this case. A specialized team has been formed to uncover the true motive behind this high-profile incident, arrest all involved perpetrators, and determine why Sohag became a victim. Police operations are ongoing to investigate the exact cause of the incident and apprehend others involved.”