Mitford murder: Nationalist Lawyers Forum refuses to represent accused

The Dhaka Bar Unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum has announced that its members will not represent the accused in the murder case of scrap trader Sohag, who was brutally killed near Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka.

The decision was announced at a press conference held at the Dhaka Bar Association today (14 July). Forum Convener Md Khorshed Alam made the statement on behalf of the organisation.

In a written statement, he said, "We strongly condemn and detest the heinous brutality of Sohag's murder. All accused must be swiftly arrested and brought to justice. The Nationalist Lawyers Forum Dhaka Bar Unit has decided that no member will conduct the case on behalf of the accused. At the same time, we urge all lawyers to refrain from representing them."

Khorshed Alam further stated, "Even after the release of clear CCTV footage of Sohag's murder at Mitford Hospital, BNP is being blamed without justification. Obscene slogans are being raised against acting chairman Tarique Rahman with malicious intent. It appears that accomplices of fascist forces and invisible powers are deliberately trying to frame the BNP in this case without any proper investigation."

He also claimed that the party is being wrongfully accused of extortion.

"From 2007 to August 2024, no political party has faced more persecution than the BNP. The fallen fascist regime used every form of torture to destroy this party. Still, millions of activists inspired by the ideals of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman have endured such oppression and remained united under BNP's banner," he added.

The press conference was moderated by Forum Member Secretary Nihar Hossain Faruk and attended by Dhaka Bar Association President Khorshed Miah Alam, General Secretary Syed Nazrul Islam, Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court Public Prosecutor Iqbal Hossain, and Forum leader Abdul Khalek Milon, among others.

The murder took place on Wednesday (9 July), when Lal Chand alias Sohag, a local scrap trader, was killed inside the Mitford Hospital compound shortly before sundown.

CCTV footage, which surfaced on social media the following day, showed several men dragging Sohag's bloodied body onto the adjacent road, where the assault continued.

According to police and local sources, the attack stemmed from a longstanding dispute over control of the illicit copper wire and scrap trade in the Mitford area.