BNP forms probe body over Mitford murder; suspects political motive

The BNP today (14 July) formed an investigation team to probe the recent murder of a scrap trader in Old Dhaka, expressing concerns that the incident could be exploited for political motives and to destabilise the election environment.

"To dig out the facts behind this brutal murder, we have decided to form an investigation and fact-finding committee comprising appropriate persons, who will reveal the actual facts and make them public," said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office, Fakhrul said, "There are reasons to suspect that this murder is being used for political gain and that such an incident is being used as an excuse at the instigation of certain quarters to disrupt the atmosphere of the upcoming national elections."

He said they have arranged the press conference in response to a recent tragic and unexpected incident, particularly due to a deliberate attempt to distort the narrative and unjustly use it as part of a malicious campaign to tarnish the image of the country's largest political party and its top leader, Tarique Rahman, and to register the party's strong protest.

As a responsible political party, Fakhrul said the BNP has already strongly condemned and protested the killing of Lal Chand Sohag, who was beaten to death in the Mitford area of Dhaka, and has demanded exemplary punishment for those involved.

He said despite the absence of any evidence proving direct involvement or presence at the scene, the party has taken the highest organisational action—lifetime expulsion—against those named in the police complaint, in line with party discipline.

The BNP leader said the victim's family has already raised concerns about inconsistencies in the case statement.

According to the family, he said, the names of three people were included in the report in place of the actual perpetrators, even though they have no complaints against those named.

Regrettably, Fakhrul said, the real culprits directly involved in the brutal killing have not yet been identified, let alone arrested, and the law enforcement agencies have so far failed to reveal their names or identities.

He said the BNP has earlier called on the current government to arrest those directly involved in the murder and to ensure swift justice. 
"Despite such a firm party position, a certain vested quarter is systematically showing the audacity to defame the party and malign its top leadership by attacking their character," Fakhrul said.

Lal Chand Sohag, a trader from Old Dhaka, was brutally killed in broad daylight near Mitford Hospital on Wednesday, reportedly over a dispute related to the scrap trade.

Fakhrul expressed their party's firm resolve to identify and resist those who are trying to destabilise the political environment, obstruct the national election, and indirectly create a path for the rise of fascism.

Fakhrul said that despite the presence of a large number of people and law enforcement agencies nearby, the lack of any resistance has raised questions in the public mind about the incident.

He alleged that the events of 9 July were deliberately spread online on 11 July during 'prime time' after Juma prayers on Friday.

After that, the BNP leader alleged that certain social media accounts and pages began sharing pre-prepared photo cards in a coordinated manner. "This suggests that propaganda materials had been prepared in advance, indicating a planned campaign to spread false information online."

Fakhrul also expressed frustration over the government's indifference in preventing dirty politics.

He said they hope all responsible political parties will be aware of the grave consequences of the current deteriorating political situation.

The BNP leader warned that if undemocratic and unethical behaviour continues to hinder the path toward democracy, those responsible must be held accountable.

Expressing BNP's strong stance against offenders, Fakhrul stated that there can be no sympathy or bias when it comes to criminals.

Fakhrul said a criminal should not be identified by any party affiliation and that an individual's crime has no connection with the party.

The BNP leader said Sohag's political identity is irrelevant—he was a citizen, tragically taken by terrorism. "We too demand exemplary punishment," Fakhrul said.

He said such a brutal killing of Sohag, carried out in broad daylight by only a few criminals, could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destroy the rule of law, standing in complete contrast to the spirit of the mass uprising of July, just a year ago.