The brutal murder of scrap trader Lal Chand Sohag in front of Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka stemmed from a business dispute, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
At a press briefing held on Saturday, July 12, at the DMP Media Center, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lalbagh Division Mohammad Jasim Uddin stated that the incident, which occurred on July 9 between 5:40 pm and 6:00 pm, was the result of growing tensions within the scrap trading community.
Sohag was attacked and killed in public by a large group of assailants near Gate 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford Hospital).
Police arrived at the scene within minutes and arrested two suspects on the spot. His body was later sent for autopsy at Mitford Hospital.
According to DC Jasim, both the victim and the attackers were once business partners. “Over time, financial disagreements and disputes over partnership led to a serious fallout, which ultimately escalated to this horrific incident,” he said.
Following the murder, Sohag’s elder sister filed a case (Case No. 7) with Kotwali Police Station on July 10.
Based on CCTV footage and other intelligence, five suspects have been arrested so far—three by the Kotwali police and two by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
When asked whether the suspects had any political affiliation, DC Jasim clarified, “Political identity is not our focus in criminal investigations. So far, we have no reliable evidence confirming political ties of the arrested individuals.”
He also dismissed rumors of extortion being linked to the incident, stating that there was “no indication of institutional extortion or involvement of organized crime.”
In response to questions about police preparedness, DC Jasim said that officers responded within 10 minutes of the attack and made immediate arrests. “We took this matter very seriously,” he added.
Journalists also raised concerns about previous violent incidents in the area—specifically, a shootout over control of a crockery market in Chawkbazar and a street clash involving members of a political party on the same day.
DC Jasim responded that both incidents had led to arrests and legal action and emphasized that police do not evaluate such crimes through a political lens.
“We focus on identifying the offenders and investigating the crime itself. Whether someone has political affiliations is a separate matter,” he noted.
In closing, DC Jasim revealed that law enforcement officials recently met with local traders. “We told them clearly—either extortionists will control Old Dhaka’s markets, or the DMP’s Lalbagh Division will. We will not tolerate any form of extortion or gang violence,” he warned.
The killing of Lal Chand Sohag shocked the nation due to its brutality and public nature. CCTV footage showed the victim being beaten with bricks and stones, stripped, and stomped on until dead—a level of violence that has prompted widespread outrage and calls for justice.
