Mitford murder: Appellate Division suspends Mahin's bail

The Appellate Division's chamber court today (4 October) suspended the six-month interim bail granted to Mahmudul Hasan Mahin, the prime accused in the murder case over the public killing of scrap trader Lal Chand alias Sohag in Old Dhaka's Mitford area.

Chamber Judge Mohammad Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing a state petition seeking suspension of Mahin's bail.

Earlier, the High Court had granted Mahin six months' interim bail on 28 September and issued a rule asking why he should not be granted permanent bail. The order became public on 1 October.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Mohammad Ruhul Quddus and Justice Syed Hasan Zubair granted the interim bail.

Advocate Mohammad Asaduzzaman represented Mahin during the hearing.

Deputy Attorney General Syeda Sajia Sharmin said the High Court granted bail on the grounds that there were no specific allegations against Mahin.

Attorney General Mohammad Ruhul Quddus Kajol later said the state would move the Appellate Division seeking suspension of the order by filing a leave-to-appeal petition.

The chamber court suspended the bail today following the state's petition.

According to the case documents, a group of assailants publicly killed 39-year-old Sohag near Mitford Hospital on Rajani Ghosh Lane on 9 July last year.

The assailants allegedly first hacked him with sharp weapons before repeatedly striking him with bricks and stones.

A video of the killing later circulated on social media, triggering widespread discussion across the country.

Sohag's elder sister, Manjuara Begum, filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station the following day, naming 19 people and accusing another 15–20 unidentified individuals.

Following the investigation, the Dhaka First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court framed charges against 21 people in the case on 12 July this year and ordered the trial to proceed.

Mahin is the prime accused in the case.