In a shocking twist, Mahmudul Hasan Mohin, now identified as the prime accused in the brutal killing of scrap trader Lal Chand alias Sohag, was seen participating in a protest rally demanding justice for the very crime he allegedly orchestrated.
The revelation has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief, raising serious questions about the manipulation of public sentiment and the audacity of the accused.
Eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence confirm that Mohin attended a protest rally held in the heart of the city last week, drew a crowd of outraged locals, activists, and community leaders demanding swift justice for Lal Chand.
But what initially appeared to be a unified call for accountability took a chilling turn when photographs and eyewitness reports confirmed the presence of Mohin — the man now accused of orchestrating the very crime the rally condemned.
Described by witnesses as vocal and visibly emotional during the protest, Mohin reportedly held placards and shouted slogans against what he called “a system that fails to protect innocents.” His performance, however, now appears to be a disturbing display of calculated deception.
“It’s a betrayal of trust,” said Farida Yasmin, a local activist who attended the rally. “We thought we were standing beside victims and seekers of truth. To learn that the alleged perpetrator was marching with us — it’s horrifying.”
Authorities confirmed that Mohin had been under suspicion for several days before a breakthrough in the investigation, which linked him to the crime through witness statements, mobile data, and financial disputes with the victim. “Lal Chand was not just a trader — he had become a threat to certain powerful interests,” said an investigator close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Mohin’s involvement in the protest was likely a preemptive move — an attempt to divert attention, influence the narrative, and present himself as a concerned citizen.” Criminologists say such behavior is not unheard of. “This is a classic example of criminal audacity,” said Dr. Rahman Arefin, a sociologist specializing in deviant behavior. “By blending into the grieving crowd, the accused hoped to create confusion, possibly buy time, or even present an alibi.”
The revelation has only intensified calls for a transparent investigation and stricter scrutiny of protest movements that might be co-opted by those seeking to mask their guilt.
The victim’s family, already reeling from grief, expressed shock and anger at the latest twist. “How can someone kill and then pretend to seek justice for the person they murdered?” asked Rajib Chand, Lal Chand’s younger brother. “It’s not just evil — it’s inhuman.”
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court has placed Mohin, the prime suspect in the brutal killing of scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, on a five-day remand following a hearing on Sunday.
The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana after police sought 10 days’ remand in the murder case. Another suspect, Tarek Rahman Robin, 22, was granted a two-day remand in a related arms case, for which police had requested five days.
Court Officer Abul Kalam Azad of Kotwali Police Station confirmed the court’s decision. “After reviewing the remand pleas and hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense, the court granted five days for Mohin and two days for Robin,” he said.
Police said Mohin was named as the prime accused in the murder case filed by the victim’s sister. He and Robin were arrested by detectives in Netrakona late Sunday night after remaining absconding since the killing. Their arrests bring the total number of detainees in the case to seven.
Earlier, five others were arrested by police and members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The latest developments were confirmed in a press release issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday.
The murder of Sohag took place on July 9 around 6:00 PM inside the premises of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka.
He was brutally beaten to death with bricks and stones by a group of rivals, allegedly over business disputes and extortion. The attack, which was captured on video, quickly went viral on social media and sparked widespread outrage across the country.
Following the incident, two separate cases were filed with Kotwali Police Station—one for murder and the other under the Arms Act.
Police allege that Mohin masterminded the attack, citing longstanding tensions and rivalry in the local scrap metal trade.
The incident has had political repercussions as well. In separate statements, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the killing and called for justice.
