Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a scrap trader near Old Dhaka's Mitford Hospital, bringing the total number of arrestees to seven out of the 19 named accused.
The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained the two men -- identified as Sajib and Rajib -- from Netrokona early Sunday, DB Joint Commissioner Nasirul Islam confirmed. Sajib and Rajib are the seventh and tenth accused in the case, respectively.
The murder case was filed by the victim's daughter, Manjuara Begum, 42, with Kotwali Police Station on July 10. The case names 19 individuals and includes another 15 to 20 unidentified suspects.
Law enforcement officials had earlier launched multiple raids in various parts of the capital and reviewed CCTV footage to identify and apprehend those involved.
On July 11, police arrested Mahmudul Hasan Mohin, 41, and Tarique Rahman Robin, 22. A foreign-made pistol was recovered from Robin's possession during the arrest. Subsequently, Rapid Action Battalion arrested two more suspects -- Alamgir, 28, and Monir alias Choto Monir, 25.
A separate police team from Kotwali Police Station arrested another suspect, Md Titon Gazi, 32, during a raid early Saturday.
Authorities have alleged that members of Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal were involved in the fatal attack, which took place on July 9. Among the detainees is Mahmudul Hasan, also known as Moin, who claims to be a local Jubo Dal leader.
The case is expected to be transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal under Section 10 of the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002, to facilitate an expedited legal process.
Combing Operation
In response to recent violent incidents, including the Mitford murder, a nationwide special combing operation was launched on Sunday to maintain law and order ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the Secretariat in Dhaka, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "The recent murder in Dhaka's Mitford area is deeply tragic and brutal. Such incidents are absolutely unacceptable in any civilised society."
He added that authorities are also investigating whether there was any negligence on the part of law enforcement during the initial stages of the case.
BSS adds: A writ petition was filed on Sunday with the High Court, seeking its direction to form a judicial commission to probe the barbaric killing of scrap metal trader Lal Chand Mohammad Sohag in Dhaka's Mitford area on July 9.
Supreme Court lawyer advocate Md Eunus Ali Akond filed the petition with the concerned wing of the High Court.
The petitioner also pleaded for the court's direction to arrest the real culprits behind the brutal killing and provide compensation to the victim's family.
He said the High Court Division bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua is likely to hear the plea today (Monday).
Earlier, on July 9 last, Lal Chand Mohammad Sohag, 39, was hacked, beaten and stoned to death near a gate of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital.
sajibur@gmail.com
