Mitford Case: India Today, NDTV Reports Spark Clarification Debate

Fact Check: India Today and NDTV’s Reports on Hindu Trader Killing (Mitford Lynching) Are False and Misleading.

Finix News Desk | Dhaka | 13 July 25

Two prominent Indian media outlets, India Today and NDTV, recently published reports claiming that a Hindu trader was lynched in Bangladesh by a mob that later “danced on his body.” However, investigations and official sources reveal that these claims are not only inaccurate but politically motivated and misleading.

The Actual Incident: A Brutal Killing Over Business Dispute:

On the evening of 9 July 2025, local scrap metal trader Chand Mia alias Sohag (39) was brutally murdered near Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka. The incident, captured on CCTV, showed a group of 40–50 assailants dragging Sohag’s body onto the street, beating him with concrete slabs, and stomping on his chest and head.

However, Sohag’s murder had no connection to religion. Multiple police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and official statements confirm that the motive behind the attack was a long-standing business rivalry over the control of the scrap metal and copper wire trade in the Mitford area.

False Claims by Indian Media:

• India Today Headline: “Hindu trader lynched in Bangladesh, attackers dance on his body.”
• NDTV Headline: “Hindu Trader Lynched In Bangladesh, Attackers Dance On His Body.”

These headlines attempt to give the impression that the attack was religiously motivated, which is entirely false.

Verified Facts:

• The victim was a Muslim (Sohag, also known as Chand Mia).
• No religious motive has been found. The incident was triggered by business conflict and extortion demands.
• The attackers demanded a 50% stake in Sohag’s scrap business or regular payments.
• Sohag was lured to the hospital premises under the pretext of a peace meeting and was then ambushed.
• The incident involved known local criminals, some of whom had political affiliations with the BNP’s youth wing, Jubo Dal, but no organizational directive was involved.

Arrests and Investigation Progress:

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested seven suspects so far:

• Mahmudul Hasan Mohin (41) – Prime suspect
• Tarek Rahman Robin (22) – Caught with a foreign-made pistol
• Sajib, Rajib – Arrested from Netrokona
• Alamgir (28), Monir aka Chhoto Monir (25) – Previously apprehended

All are being investigated under charges of premeditated murder, illegal arms possession, and criminal conspiracy. The FIR was filed by Sohag’s sister Manjuara Begum at Kotwali Police Station, naming 19 known criminals and 15–20 unidentified accomplices.

Statements from Political Parties:

Leaders from Jubo Dal acknowledged that some suspects had prior affiliations but denied any official involvement. The BNP youth wing assured full cooperation with law enforcement and organizational disciplinary measures if party connections are confirmed.

Why the India Today & NDTV Reports Are Problematic:

1. Misinformation: Misidentifying the victim’s religion to suggest communal violence.
2. Inflammatory Reporting: Use of emotionally charged language without verified context.
3. Harm to Bilateral Relations: Such reports risk damaging diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.
4. Domestic Impact: Spreading communal tension based on fabricated narratives.

Finix News Verdict: FALSE & MISLEADING:

For verified and responsible journalism, follow Finix News.

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