Conflict over shop ownership, not extortion, led to Mitford murder: DMP

Police have revealed new information regarding the brutal murder of scrap metal trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag (39), near Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka.

According to the law enforcement agency, the incident was not related to extortion but stemmed from a dispute over who would run a shop. Sohag, the victim, and the perpetrators were previously business partners.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lalbagh Division Jasim Uddin stated that initial interrogation of the arrestees indicated an ongoing conflict over scrap trading and shop ownership.

Both the victim and the accused had worked together for some time, he said, adding that the disagreement over financial matters eventually escalated, leading to the murder.

Earlier, on Wednesday (July 9), Sohag was hacked, beaten, and stoned to death near a gate of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital.

Later, on Thursday, the victim’s elder sister filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station.

On Friday, the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal expelled its two members — Rajjab Ali Pintu, former assistant secretary for climate affairs of the Central Executive Committee, and Sabah Karim Lucky, joint convener of Dhaka South Jubo Dal — over their suspected involvement in the scrap trader murder.

The organisation clarified that it would not bear any responsibility for any criminal acts carried out by the expelled members.