A Dhaka court has set 12 March as the new date for the submission of a further investigation report in the murder case of scrap metal trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, in Old Dhaka.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Nazmin Akter fixed the date on Sunday after Shah Md Faisal Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, sought a 15 working-day extension.
The OC said the additional time was needed to complete the “comprehensive” investigation.
The court had previously ordered a further investigation on 20 January, citing defects and omissions in the initial report.
According to the police application, the case was originally investigated by former Police Inspector Md Moniruzzaman, who submitted a chargesheet on 8 December.
However, following a briefing conducted under Police Regulation 444 regarding investigation flaws, the court directed a more thorough inquiry.
The police stated that they are currently working to rectify these flaws and argued that the extension is essential to ensure a fair and neutral investigation, as well as to record the testimonies of vital witnesses.
The murder took place on the evening of 9 July, when a group of assailants intercepted Sohag on the road in front of Gate 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital (Mitford). He was brutally hacked and struck on the head with stones.
Following the incident, the victim’s elder sister, Manjuwara Begum, filed a murder case against 19 individuals at Kotwali Police Station on 10 July. Although the initial police investigation resulted in a chargesheet against 21 people on 8 December, the probe remains ongoing due to the court’s order for further scrutiny.
Currently, 13 of the accused are in custody, while eight others remain fugitives.
