Staff Reporter :
The brutal daylight murder of a scrap trader outside Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital has triggered widespread public outrage, student-led protests across university campuses, and escalating political tension, with members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) allegedly linked to the attack.
The victim, 39-year-old Lal Chand – also known as Sohag – was attacked around 6:00pm on Wednesday near Gate 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (Mitford Hospital).
Graphic footage, now widely circulated on social media, shows Sohag being beaten and hacked to death with stones and sharp weapons on a busy street in full public view. Law enforcement has arrested at least five individuals in connection with the killing.
Police say preliminary evidence points to a long-standing business dispute over scrap metal between the victim and the assailants, all of whom were reportedly former business associates.
Lalbagh Division Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jasim Uddin stated: “A disagreement over money escalated into this violent act.”
Among those detained are Mahmudul Hasan Mohin and Tarique Rahman Robin, from whom a foreign pistol was recovered.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has also arrested suspects Alamgir (28) and Monir, alias Chhota Monir (25), while Kotwali police apprehended Md Titon Gazi (32) on Friday night.
The case took a political turn when several of the accused were identified as members of BNP’s affiliated youth wings. In response to public pressure, BNP organisations – Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal – expelled five activists for life.
However, fresh controversy erupted after the victim’s family alleged that three key suspects had been omitted from the official charge sheet.
Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna questioned the integrity of the investigation: “We demand to know who altered the names in the case. The CCTV footage clearly shows the real attackers.”
Criticism of BNP has grown, with acting chairman Tarique Rahman facing public backlash. Student protests and viral social media posts have called for accountability from the party’s leadership.
One post by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Sarjis Alam stated: “Just as Hasina was held responsible for her party’s crimes, Tarique Rahman must now be held to the same standard.”
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed dismissed the backlash as a “coordinated political smear campaign” but acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
“We will launch an internal cleansing campaign from the grassroots to the district level,” he said.
The government has promised a fast-tracked trial. Legal adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that the case will be transferred to a Speedy Trial Tribunal under Section 10 of the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002.
Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury confirmed that “all individuals involved are being brought under the law,” while RAB Director General AKM Shahidul Rahman announced that a “shadow investigation” is underway to ensure that no perpetrators evade justice.
However, police initially suspect that he was killed over a dispute over a scrap metal business and previous enmity.
Lalbagh Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Jasim Uddin disclosed this at a press conference at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Center on Saturday (July 13) afternoon.
“The victim, Sohag, and the perpetrators were related and had been business partners. A dispute over business transactions escalated, leading to the murder,” he explained.
The murder has galvanised student communities across the country. Protests were held at Dhaka University, BUET, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, BRAC University, and others.
At Dhaka University, student organisations including Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Chhatra Federation, and Islami Chhatra Andolon led rallies condemning the killing and demanding swift punishment.
At BRAC University, students demonstrated under the banner “Sochetan Shikkharthi Somaj,” while similar protests were staged at North South University, East West University, and Eden College.
Student leaders accused BNP’s youth factions of involvement in turf wars and extortion, urging the party to take responsibility.
In Rangpur, students and political activists under the banner of General Revolutionary Students held a protest procession spanning six kilometres, demanding maximum punishment for the killers.
The demonstration ended at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Square near Begum Rokeya University.
Speakers at the rally included representatives from the NCP, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Gano Adhikar Chhatra Parishad, and Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad.
The Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) also condemned the incident, calling the murder “inhumane and barbaric.”
Spokesperson Rashed Pradhan likened it to the infamous “logi-boitha” violence and said such brutality is unacceptable in a “fascism-free Bangladesh built on the sacrifices of martyrs.”
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman described the incident as “shocking and inhumane,” and called for collective resistance against rising criminality.
“What a society we have become, where a small businessman can be murdered in broad daylight in front of hundreds for refusing to pay extortion!” he posted on Facebook.
The National Citizens’ Party (NCP), led by Nahid Islam, has vowed to launch a nationwide campaign against extortion and organised crime, calling it a “jihad” against political corruption.
“Those clinging to a failed political order must be held accountable,” he said at a street rally in Satkhira.Nahid further claimed that attempts are being made to derail political reform by those “interested only in quick elections and a return to power.”
