One year after Taraganj mob lynching, victims' families still await justice

It has been a year since Ruplal Das and his son-in-law Pradeep Lal were beaten to death in public in Taraganj, Rangpur, on suspicion of theft, but there has been no visible progress in the trial. Family members allege that most of those involved in the horrific killing are yet to be brought under the law, and many of those arrested are now out on bail.

The attack on them began on the night of August 9 last year in the Bottola area of Sayar Union in Taraganj upazila. Suspected of theft, they were first stopped, then interrogated and beaten—eventually escalating into a public lynching . In a video that went viral on social media, Ruplal and Pradeep are seen pleading for their lives, but the agitated crowd continued to attack them .

Ruplal Das was a cobbler from Ghonirampur village, while his son-in-law Pradeep Lal made a living by driving a van. On the night of the incident, Pradeep was coming to his in-laws' house to finalise the date for the wedding of Ruplal's eldest daughter, Nupur Rani, scheduled for the next day. Lost on the way, Pradeep called Ruplal, who came out to guide him. The two then set off together on the van towards home .

Their van was stopped in the Bottola area on suspicion of theft. According to case documents, locals were already angry over previous van thefts in the area . Suspicion grew when some plastic bottles were found in a sack on Pradeep's van. Rumours began to spread about the liquid in the bottles, and the beating started .

At one point, Ruplal and Pradeep were dragged from Bottola towards Burirhat Bazaar, with the number of attackers growing. Police arrived at the scene but were unable to control the situation . Later, additional police and army personnel arrived .

Critically injured, the two were taken to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared Ruplal dead. Pradeep later died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital .

Malati Rani Das, who lost her husband, has spent the past year in uncertainty. "Those who beat Ruplal to death didn't just kill a man, they destroyed a family," she said.

Ruplal's mother, Lachia Das, feels the pain even more deeply. Ruplal was her only son. His death has not only left a void in her heart but also cast uncertainty over the future of her grandchildren.

Family members said that although various individuals and organisations provided temporary financial assistance after the incident, the two families have not been able to return to normal life. With the loss of their breadwinners, they are worried about the children's future, household expenses and safety.

The police role in the incident also came under widespread scrutiny. Allegations surfaced that police could not stop the attack even after arriving at the scene. In response, the then Superintendent of Police temporarily suspended six police personnel, including one sub-inspector, for negligence .

Ruplal's wife filed a murder case naming 500–700 unidentified people . Police have so far arrested 15 people in connection with the case. However, according to police sources, most of the accused are currently out on bail, and efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing .

The family has also alleged that some of the accused have been threatening them to withdraw the case .

With a year having passed and little progress visible in the trial, the victims' families are frustrated. Their question remains—will all those who took part in the public lynching ever face justice?

A year after the deaths of Ruplal and Pradeep, that question remains unanswered. For their families, the day now stands not just as a memory of two deaths but as a symbol of the prolonged void, uncertainty, and waiting for justice .