Conflict Over Stolen Rural Electricity Cable Business Leads to Lal Chand’s Murder: DMP

At a press conference held at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Center on Wednesday noon, it was revealed that the brutal murder of Lal Chand, alias Sohag (39), a scrap dealer, in front of Mitford (Sir Salimullah Medical College) Hospital in Old Dhaka stemmed from a conflict over controlling the business of stolen rural electricity cables. The perpetrators and the victim, Lal Chand, were previously acquainted, and the murder resulted from a clash of interests. So far, nine individuals, including two who threw stones at Lal Chand, have been arrested in connection with the case.

DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali addressed the press conference to provide updates on the progress of the Lal Chand murder case. He stated that upon receiving a call through the emergency service number 999, police reached the scene within minutes. There, they found the accused attempting to create a mob-like atmosphere, chanting slogans such as “No place for extortionists, no fear for businessmen.” Immediately after the incident, Mahin was arrested from the scene, and Robin was apprehended from a nearby area. Later, seven more suspects were arrested after analyzing CCTV footage, including the two individuals who threw stones. A total of nine people have been arrested so far. The DMP Commissioner added that the arrested suspects are being interrogated under remand, and efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing. When asked about the political affiliations of the accused, Sheikh Sajjat Ali clarified that while any citizen may have a political identity, this incident has no connection to politics. Addressing misinformation about the case’s FIR, the Commissioner noted that misleading information had been spread on social media and in some media outlets. He explained that Lal Chand’s ex-wife, Lucky Akter, initially arrived at the police station to file the FIR, followed by her stepbrother. They prepared a draft FIR naming 23 individuals as accused. Meanwhile, Lal Chand’s elder sister, Manjuara Begum, expressed her intent to file the FIR. The draft was presented to her, and her daughter took a photo of it, which later spread on social media. Ultimately, Manjuara filed the FIR, excluding five names from the draft and adding one new name, resulting in a total of 19 accused. The case was registered at Kotwali Police Station based on her written FIR. The Commissioner emphasized that the FIR is merely a preliminary document, and a report will be submitted to the court based on evidence gathered during the investigation. He assured that all those involved in this heinous crime will be brought to justice, and measures will be taken to ensure such crimes are not repeated through exemplary punishment. In response to a question about the motive behind the murder, DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.M. Nazrul Islam stated that the murder was driven by a personal business rivalry. Lal Chand was involved in the trade of stolen rural electricity cables during the previous government’s tenure. After a change in circumstances, another group entered the same business, leading to a rift between the two factions, who were already known to each other.

On July 9, Lal Chand was brutally murdered in broad daylight on a busy road in front of Mitford Hospital. Before the killing, he was beaten, struck with bricks and stones, and his head and body were severely injured. At one point, he was stripped naked, and some assailants jumped on his body. A case was filed at Kotwali Police Station on July 10 by Lal Chand’s sister, Manjuara Begum, naming 19 individuals and 15 to 20 unidentified persons as accused.