2 more arrested in brutal murder of businessman in Old Dhaka

Two more individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag (39), in front of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (Mitford) in Old Dhaka. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to four.

Law enforcement agencies conducted raids and apprehended two suspects named in the case—two were arrested by the police and two by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

On Friday (July 11), Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DMP-DB), Mohammad Talebur Rahman, confirmed the arrests. Two of the arrestees have been identified as Mahmudul Hasan Mohin (41) and Tareq Rahman Robin (22).

Sohag was savagely beaten, hacked, and bludgeoned with bricks and concrete blocks around 6 PM on Wednesday (July 9) near Gate 3 of the hospital. The attack occurred in broad daylight and was captured on CCTV footage that later went viral on social media.

According to DC Talebur Rahman, the murder was the result of a violent clash between rival groups over control of the local scrap trade business. Following the incident, police from Kotwali Police Station quickly arrived at the scene, brought the situation under control, and sent Sohag's body to the hospital morgue for autopsy. A murder case was later filed by the victim’s elder sister at the Kotwali Police Station.

The DC stated that police immediately began reviewing CCTV footage from the area and launched a series of raids in different parts of the capital. Mahmudul Hasan Mohin and Tareq Rahman Robin—both named in the case—were arrested during these operations. A foreign-made pistol was also recovered from Robin during his arrest.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the murder stemmed from a long-standing business rivalry and personal enmity. Police operations to apprehend other individuals involved in the killing are ongoing.

Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are currently underway, said DC Mohammad Talebur Rahman.