21 to face trial for killing Mitford scrap trader Sohag with boulder

Months after the gruesome killing of scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, outside Mitford Hospital in Dhaka -- where he was bludgeoned to death with a concrete boulder -- investigators have filed a chargesheet against 21 individuals at court.

The investigating officer, however, has recommended exoneration for 10 suspects due to insufficient evidence linking them to the incident.

Inspector Md Moniruzzaman of Kotwali Police, leading the inquiry, confirmed: “After thorough investigation, charges were established against 21 individuals. The chargesheet was submitted to court on Dec 8. Eight suspects remain at large, and we have requested arrest warrants against them. 10 others are recommended for discharge as the evidence against them was insufficient. Witness testimony in court will substantiate the allegations against the rest.”

The chargesheet identifies the suspects as Mahmud Hasan Mohin, Sarwar Hossain Titu, Monir alias Chhoto Monir, Alamgir, Monir alias Lomba Monir, Nannu alias Nannu Kazi, Sajib alias Sajib Bepari, Titon Gazi, Tarek Rahman Robin, Apu Das, Rizwan Uddin alias Abhijit Bosu, Jahirul Islam, Parvez, Sagar, Ruman Bepari, Abir Hossain, Md Jahir, Imran Hossain, Sharafat alias Shafiul Islam, Hossain Chowkidar, and Ziauddin Razi. Among them, eight are fugitives.

The inquiry also revealed that after killing Sohag, the suspects reportedly shouted slogans against extortion while celebrating their crime.

On Jul 9, amid longstanding business rivalries and personal enmities, the group attacked Sohag outside Mitford Hospital’s Gate No. 3.

The assailants dragged him, stripped him of all clothing except undergarments, and beat him with concrete, metal rods, bricks, and stones, ultimately ensuring his death.

Following the murder, the perpetrators carried his body to the hospital gate, shouting slogans while fleeing once police arrived.

Sohag’s sister Manjuara Begum expressed outrage: “The masterminds, Mozaffar Hossain Babul, Rakesh, and Qayyum Molla, were excluded from the chargesheet. Their names were even removed from the FIR. We are deeply dissatisfied. The real culprits have not been brought to justice. We will fight to ensure they face the law.”

The chargesheet details the role of each suspect.

It says Mohin and Titu orchestrated and led the attack, directing the assault and encouraging others to shout slogans over Sohag’s corpse. Others -- including Chhoto Monir, Alamgir, Lomba Monir, Nannu Kazi, Sajib Bepari, Titon Gazi, Tarek Robin, Apu Das, Abhijit Bosu, and several more -- actively participated in the brutal beatings, wielding weapons and concrete to inflict fatal injuries, while some jumped on his body in celebration.

Several suspects oversaw the killing, cornered him, and ensured the fatal blows were delivered, confirming his death before fleeing the scene, it added.