Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested two named accused from Netrakona in connection with the brutal killing of Lal Chand, also known as Sohag (39), who was beaten to death in broad daylight in front of Mitford Medical College in Old Dhaka.
According to a media release issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday night, the two accused — Sajib Bepari (27) and Md Rajib Bepari (25) — were arrested from Netrakona around midnight on Sunday.
Police says that five suspects had already been arrested earlier by the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). With these two recent arrests, the number of people detained in connection with the murder has now risen to seven.
On 9 July, Sohag, a scrap metal businessman, was publicly and brutally beaten to death by assailants over business rivalry and extortion disputes. Following the murder, the victim’s elder sister filed a case with Kotwali Police Station. A video clip of the killing went viral on social media, sparking nationwide outrage and protest rallies that are still ongoing.
At least five members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal have been expelled from their respective organisations over alleged involvement in the Mitford killing. However, in a joint press conference on Saturday, the three organisations claimed that the law enforcement agencies have arrested the wrong individuals, sparing the actual culprits.
Meanwhile, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman issued a statement condemning the murder on Saturday. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders have also issued multiple statements denouncing the killing.
