Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has come under scrutiny after publishing a graphic video clip of the Mitford murder on its official Facebook page, even when it warned citizens against spreading “misinformation” on social media.
In a statement posted on Sunday night titled “Regarding the visit to the crime scene and arrest of suspects in businessman Sohag’s murder”, the DMP urged the citizens to refrain from sharing false or misleading narratives. However, in a surprising move, the statement was accompanied by a nearly two-minute Facebook Reel showing the bloodied body of Lalchand, also known as Sohag, surrounded by a large crowd—many holding umbrellas—at the crime scene. A police officer is also seen among the onlookers, while several people are heard chanting slogans against extortionists.
According to Facebook community guidelines, the circulation of such “violent” and “gruesome” videos or images is strictly prohibited and categorised as “harmful to society.”
“On 9 July 2025, businessman Lalchand alias Sohag was brutally murdered in front of Gate No. 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has noticed various misleading interpretations circulating on social media regarding the police response to the incident. In reality, as soon as the news of the heinous crime was received, a police team swiftly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. At that time, the main accused, Mahmudul Hasan Mohin, was taken into custody on-site and, based on preliminary interrogation, another accused named Tarek Rahman Robin was also arrested. The police also received significant information regarding other individuals involved in the crime, which is aiding the investigation, ” a DMP public statement says.
“Nevertheless, some people are spreading ‘misinformation’ about police action concerning the incident, which is highly undesirable. Therefore, all concerned are respectfully requested to refrain from spreading any ‘misinformation’ regarding the incident and to have faith in the police for a proper investigation of the case.”
The DMP further stated, “Operations to arrest others involved in the incident are ongoing, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police is committed to bringing all actual offenders—regardless of their political affiliation—under the purview of law.”
So far, police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested four individuals in connection with the Mitford murder. At a press briefing on Saturday, RAB said at least two of the suspects—‘Lamba Munir’ and ‘Alamgir’—were directly involved in the killing and were identified through video footage.
In response to the murder, at least five members of BNP-affiliated organisations—Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—have been expelled from their respective groups. However, in a joint press conference on Saturday, the three organisations claimed that the law enforcement authorities had arrested the wrong people, leaving out the actual culprits.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman issued a formal statement on Saturday condemning the murder, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders have also released multiple statements denouncing the incident.