Mitford bludgeoning murder: Case against 21 suspects goes to trial

The judge indicted the suspects and set Jul 19 for the first day of recording testimony

A Dhaka court has indicted 21 suspects over the bashing to death of metal and old wire trader Sohag aka Lal Chand in front of Mitford Hospital about a year ago.

Acting Judge Mosaddek Minhaj of the Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka framed charges against the accused on Sunday and set Jul 19 as the first date for recording testimony.

On Jul 9, amid longstanding business rivalries and personal enmities, a group attacked Sohag outside Mitford Hospital’s Gate No. 3.

The assailants dragged him, stripped him of all clothing except undergarments, and beat him with concrete, metal rods, bricks, and stones, ultimately ensuring his death.

Following the murder, the perpetrators carried his body to the hospital gate, reportedly shouting slogans against extortion before fleeing once police arrived.

The chargesheet identifies the suspects as Mahmud Hasan Mohin, Sarwar Hossain Titu, Monir alias Chhoto Monir, Alamgir, Monir alias Lomba Monir, Nannu alias Nannu Kazi, Sajib alias Sajib Bepari, Titon Gazi, Tarek Rahman Robin, Apu Das, Rizwan Uddin alias Abhijit Bosu, Jahirul Islam, Parvez, Sagar, Ruman Bepari, Abir Hossain, Md Jahir, Imran Hossain, Sharafat alias Shafiul Islam, Hossain Chowkidar, and Ziauddin Razi. Among them, eight are fugitives.

It says Mohin and Titu orchestrated and led the attack, directing the assault and encouraging others to shout slogans over Sohag’s corpse. Others -- including Chhoto Monir, Alamgir, Lomba Monir, Nannu Kazi, Sajib Bepari, Titon Gazi, Tarek Robin, Apu Das, Abhijit Bosu, and several more -- actively participated in the brutal beatings, wielding weapons and concrete to inflict fatal injuries, while some jumped on his body in celebration.

Several suspects oversaw the killing, cornered him, and ensured the fatal blows were delivered, confirming his death before fleeing the scene, it added.