Ruplal, Pradip unable to escape mob violence despite desperate pleas

In Taraganj, Rangpur, two men — Ruplal Robidas and Pradip Das — were beaten to death by a mob on suspicion of theft. Law enforcement has yet to arrest anyone in connection with the incident. Both victims — Ruplal and his niece’s husband Pradip — were lynched by a frenzied crowd unmoved by their desperate pleas for mercy. The shocking incident has plunged the area into grief and sparked outrage in Beltali, where residents blocked the highway in protest.

On Sunday evening (August 10), locals placed the victims’ bodies on the Rangpur–Dinajpur highway at Beltali and staged a demonstration, halting traffic. Earlier that afternoon, Ruplal’s wife, Malati Rani Das, filed a murder case at the police station.

The attack occurred on Saturday night in the Burir Bottola area of Taraganj. Ruplal, a cobbler at the Taraganj market, died at the scene. Pradip died early Sunday morning while receiving treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Ruplal was 40 and lived in Taraganj, while Pradip, 38, was from Mithapukur.

Anger Boils Over in Protest

When Ruplal’s body was brought home Sunday evening, residents erupted in anger. They placed the body on the Rangpur–Dinajpur highway and began protesting.

Several locals said Ruplal repeatedly begged for his life, but no one listened. Both men were mercilessly beaten despite their appeals. Residents are demanding justice for the killings.

At around 7:30 pm, law enforcement arrived at the protest site and brought the situation under control, allowing traffic to resume. Protesters gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the arrest of the culprits, warning of larger demonstrations if no progress was made.

What Happened That Night

On Saturday (August 9) at around 8:30 pm, Ruplal and Pradip were returning home in a van from Mithapukur. At Burirhat Bottola intersection, a group of locals blocked their way, suspecting that Pradip’s bag contained something “unusual.”

Upon searching the bag, they reportedly found a plastic bottle with foul-smelling liquid and some medicines. Tensions quickly escalated, and the two were accused of stealing the van. They were taken to the field of Burirhat High School, where they were beaten severely.

Eventually, both men lost consciousness and were left lying there. Around 11:00 pm, police rescued them and took them to Taraganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Rupalal dead. Pradip was transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where he died.

Locals later claimed that the two men only had some homemade liquor, nothing else.

Family sources said Ruplal had called Pradip to discuss his daughter’s wedding. Pradip drove his autorickshaw from Mithapukur toward Ruplal’s house but took a wrong turn and ended up in Bottola. He called Ruplal for directions, and Ruplal went there to meet him. They set off together toward Rupalal’s house in the autorickshaw but were intercepted and attacked on the way.

Speaking to Views Bangladesh at 11:45 pm on August 10, Taraganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) MA Faruk said no one had yet been detained or arrested, but operations were ongoing and arrests were expected soon.

He confirmed that Ruplal’s wife had filed a murder case, naming between 500 and 700 people as accused.

During the protest with the bodies, locals said mob attacks are increasing. False rumors, suspicion, and fear are costing innocent lives. After Ruplal Robidas and Pradip Das’s death, a new question hangs heavy in the air — how many more lives will be lost this way?