Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das (28), who was beaten to death by a mob on allegations of blasphemy in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh. With the latest arrests, the total number of detainees in the case has risen to 12.
The District Detective Branch (DB) Police confirmed the development in a press release issued on Sunday afternoon (December 21).
Police said the latest arrestees—Ashiqur Rahman (25) and Qayyum (25)—were detained late Saturday night from the Kashar area of Habirbari union. Ten other suspects had been arrested earlier in joint operations conducted by police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
A five-day remand petition has been filed for three of the accused. The remand hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Bhaluka Amli Court, said District Court Inspector (OC) Pirzada Sheikh Md Mostachinur Rahman.
The incident occurred on the night of December 18 at Pioneer Knitwears BD Limited factory in the Jamirdia area, where an enraged group allegedly beat Dipu Chandra Das and later set his body on fire, accusing him of insulting religion.
On December 19, Dipu’s younger brother, Apu Chandra Das, filed a case with Bhaluka Police Station, naming unidentified individuals as accused.
Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Abdullah Al Mamun said mob violence cannot be justified under any circumstances. “Even if a crime is committed, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” he said, adding that investigators are probing why Dipu was handed over to the crowd instead of being turned over to the police. He said operations are continuing to arrest those still at large.
Family members of the deceased, however, claim Dipu was falsely accused. His father, Ravi Chandra Das, and sister, Champa Das, alleged that he was targeted following a dispute over increased production at the factory. They said Dipu was educated and religiously conscious and could not have committed such an act.
Dipu Chandra Das was the son of Ravi Chandra Das of Mokamia Kanda village in Tarakanda upazila. He had been working at the factory for about two years.
