Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali has said that scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, who was brutally murdered in front of Mitford hospital in Old Dhaka on July 9, was killed due to a business rivalry, not for any political reasons.
He made the remark during a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Wednesday.
"The person who was seen stoning Sohag was initially unrecognised, but a special police team later confirmed his identity and arrested him from Patuakhali on Tuesday night. Nine people have so far been arrested in connection with the murder," he said.
"Following the incident, In-charge of the Chawkbazar police outpost detained two suspects from the scene. Based on witness accounts and CCTV footage, seven more suspects were later arrested, bringing the total number of detainees to nine.
When asked about the suspects' political affiliations, he said, "Anyone can have a political identity. A citizen may be affiliated with any political party, but this incident is not politically motivated."
A team from the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Tuesday arrested the prime suspect from Patuakhali's Itbaria area, said Patuakhali Police Additional Superintendent Sajedul Islam on Wednesday morning.
On July 9, 2025, Sohag was killed in broad daylight outside Gate-3 of Mitford Hospital.
A massive outcry erupted across the country after a video showing the act of cruelty went viral on social media. University students, political parties and other social organisations protested the incident, demanding immediate justice.
The BNP expelled five leaders of its affiliates for their alleged involvement in the killing.
The deceased's sister filed a murder case on July 10.
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