‘They demanded Tk 2 lakh monthly, as he refused, they killed him’
Published: 12 July 2025, 03:44 PM
The mortal remains of slain Lal Chand, alias Sohag, a 39-year-old trader in Old Dhaka, was brought to his maternal grandparents’ village in Islampur, Dhalua union, Barguna Sadar upazila, on Friday morning and buried in the family graveyard, plunging the community into grief and outrage.
His wife told journalist that Sohag was brutally murdered in Dhaka’s Mitford area on Wednesday allegedly for refusing to pay a monthly extortion demand of Tk 2 lakh.
According to family sources, Sohag’s father, Ayub Ali, died in a lightning strike when Sohag was seven months old. His mother, Aleya Begum, then moved to Dhaka with her children to earn a livelihood. Sohag ran M/s Sohana Metal, a scrap metal shop in Old Dhaka’s Mitford area.
Relatives allege that a criminal gang had been extorting Tk 2 lakh monthly from the shop for years. On Wednesday, after Sohag refused to comply, the gang allegedly lured him from his home, detained him, and stoned him to death.
Sohag’s sister, Sajeda Begum, told Jago News, “My brother ran his business for 10-15 years. The gang demanded Tk 2 lakh every month and even tried to seize his business. When he refused, they called him out, beat him, and stoned him to death.”
His maternal uncle, Md Montu Mia, added, “Sohag was a good man. No one treats even an animal this way. We demand a fair trial and the death penalty for the culprits.”
Sohag’s wife, Lucky Begum, said tearfully, “They couldn’t tolerate my husband’s success. They demanded Tk 2 lakh monthly, and when he refused, they killed him.”
His children, Sohan, 10, and Sohana, 14, wept, saying, “We’re orphans now. We want the killers hanged.”
A case has been filed, but relatives allege police are shielding the real perpetrators by implicating innocent individuals.
The community demands a transparent investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible. The arrival of Sohag’s body in his village sparked emotional scenes, with relatives and locals expressing grief and anger over the brutal killing.