JP leader arrested after 177 sued in murder case

A Jatiya Party (JP) leader was arrested yesterday evening in a case filed in connection with the killing of Mohiuddin Sohel, who was lynched by an angry mob at Pahartali Railway Bazar of Chattogram, over allegations of extortion on Monday.

Mohiuddin was the former General Secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Chattogram Commerce College unit, and was involved with the politics of local Awami League, said family members and police.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ashikur Rahman of Double Mooring Zone of Chattogram Metropolitan Police told The Daily Star, “Osman Khan, 50, was arrested from his residence at Pahartali area of the city in connection with the murder.”

Osman is the Joint Secretary of Jatiya Party's port city unit, and also a businessman of Pahartali Railway Bazar, said traders and police.

Earlier, Mohiuddin's brother Sakirul Islam Shishir filed the murder case naming 27 persons including Osman and Saber Ahmed -- a ward councillor of Chattogram City Corporation -- as well as 150 unnamed persons with Double Mooring police Station on Tuesday night.

Inspector (investigation) Jahir Hossain of Double Mooring Police Station said they were investigating into the incident.

“We are looking for CCTV footage in the area, but haven't found anything till now. However, we are working on it,” he said.

Mohiuddin's family members in a press conference on Tuesday claimed that Mohiuddin was murdered in a pre-planned way with help of local traders and others.

They also claimed that Mohiuddin was targeted as he raised his voice against irregularities and other crimes in the market area.

On Sunday, Mohiuddin was beaten and stabbed to death by a group of angry mob, most of them traders, for allegedly extorting local traders at Pahartali Railway Bazar.