The savage murder of Lal Chand alias Sohag, 39, a scrap dealer, in front of Mitford Hospital’s gate 3 in Old Dhaka has sent shockwaves through the capital’s business community.
What initially appeared as a violent crime has unravelled into a calculated conspiracy led by Mahmudul Hasan Mohin and Titon Gazi to dominate the local scrap trade through fear and extortion.
The chilling details emerging from the investigation reveal a premeditated plot designed to send a “strong message” to traders, ambulance drivers, and shopkeepers in the bustling commercial hub.
A carefully orchestrated killing
On July 9, a group of 19 assailants on seven motorcycles stormed Rajani Bose Lane, a narrow alley lined with scrap shops, where Sohag operated Sohana Metal. The attackers dragged him from his shop to the busy Mitford Hospital gate, where they subjected him to a brutal assault.
Using bricks, stones, and concrete blocks, they beat Sohag to death in full view of onlookers, culminating in a macabre celebration where one assailant stood on his chest, cheering wildly to amplify the terror.
Investigation sources reveal the murder was deliberately staged in public to intimidate Old Dhaka’s business community.
“The Mohin Group wanted to assert dominance,” said a senior officer from Kotwali Police Station, speaking anonymously to Jago News. “By executing Sohag in such a theatrical manner, they aimed to cow scrap dealers, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, and small shopkeepers into paying extortion without resistance.”
Roots of the conflict
The motive traces back to a falling-out between Sohag and his former allies, Mohin and Titon, over extortion demands.
Sohag, a prominent figure in the scrap trade, had a history of collaborating with Mohin in local political rallies, often providing financial support and mobilising crowds.
However, tensions escalated when Mohin, a Chawkbazar unit Juba Dal member secretary candidate, demanded a fixed monthly Tk 2 lakh extortion payment.
Sohag, viewing himself as an equal partner in their political activities, refused, arguing, “I’m not an outsider. Why should I pay a fixed amount?”
This dispute came to a head on July 7, when Mohin and his followers confronted Sohag at his shop, leading to a heated argument and physical altercation.
The Chawkbazar Police Station was informed, and Sohag assured officers the issue was resolved. However, Mohin had other plans. Enlisting Titon and sourcing weapons through an associate known as Chhota Monir, they plotted Sohag’s murder, inspired by recent mob violence in the area.
“They saw an opportunity to exploit the ‘mob’ trend to make the killing a public spectacle,” the officer explained.
Personal vendettas and power plays
Interrogations of arrested suspects, including Tarique Rahman Robin, a Ward 30 unit Chhatra Dal senior joint convener, revealed deep-seated grudges. Mohin and Titon harboured resentment from past beatings by Sohag, including an incident that left one with a scar on his forehead.
“Sohag was stubborn and domineering,” Mohin told investigators, admitting the murder was fuelled by both personal vengeance and a desire to seize control of Sohana Metal. The duo believed eliminating Sohag would allow them to dominate the lucrative scrap trade in Old Dhaka, a hub for recycled metal dealing.
The investigation also uncovered that not all 19 attackers were fully aware of the plan. Mohin and Titon rallied their group, including members who were unwell, claiming urgency. At the scene, Mohin incited the group with cries of, “If Sohag lives, we’re finished,” spurring them into a frenzied attack.
This manipulation suggests a calculated effort to ensure collective participation, further amplifying the terror.
A climate of fear in Old Dhaka
The murder has left Rajani Bose Lane’s business community gripped by fear. Scrap dealers, already subject to extortion by multiple groups, worry about future attacks. “Sohag was taken within minutes of arriving at his shop,” said a trader, speaking anonymously. “There are five or six other groups like Mohin’s operating here. Even if Mohin is arrested, who protects us from their successors?”
An ambulance driver at Mitford shared similar concerns, revealing that Mohin’s group extorted Tk 30,000 monthly from drivers.
On June 23, the driver was assaulted for demanding Tk 3,500 owed by Chhota Monir, and another individual, Mishu, faced similar violence. “We’re fed up with their oppression,” he told Jago News, demanding justice for the entire Mohin Group.
Investigation and legal action
The Kotwali Police Station has made significant progress, arresting seven suspects, including Mohin and Robin, who provided a confessional statement. Sub-Inspector Monir Hossain, the investigating officer, confirmed that two cases have been filed under the Murder and Arms Act. “We’re working tirelessly to apprehend the remaining accused,” said OC Md Moniruzzaman, expressing confidence in bringing all culprits to justice.
The Detective Branch (DB), led by Joint Commissioner (North) Mohammad Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan, is conducting a parallel shadow investigation to ensure no one escapes accountability.
Following a Law and Order Committee meeting on July 13, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that the case will be fast-tracked to a special tribunal to expedite justice.
Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud denied allegations of negligence, stating that no Ansar members were assigned to the hospital gate at the time of the murder, per the hospital’s work plan.
A community demands justice
Five days after the murder, Mitford’s Gate 3 remains a focal point for locals and passers by seeking answers. Crowds gather daily, recounting the horrific scene and demanding an end to extortion rackets. “This wasn’t just a murder - it was a message,” said a local shopkeeper. “We need exemplary punishment to stop these groups from terrorising us.”
The case has also sparked broader concerns about organised crime in Old Dhaka, where extortion and gang rivalries threaten small businesses.
The public execution of Sohag, coupled with the celebratory display, has heightened fears that unchecked criminal networks could further destabilise the area.
A test for law enforcement
The Mitford murder exposes the challenges facing Dhaka’s law enforcement in tackling entrenched extortion rackets. The involvement of politically affiliated figures like Mohin and Robin, linked to Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal, raises questions about the nexus between local politics and crime.
While the police and DB are intensifying efforts, the case underscores the need for systemic reforms to curb such brazen acts and restore safety to Old Dhaka’s commercial heart.
As the investigation unfolds, the city watches closely, hoping for swift justice and an end to the reign of fear perpetuated by groups like Mohin’s. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how Bangladesh addresses organized crime and protects its citizens from intimidation and violence.