A 29-year-old man, identified as Amrit Mondal alias Samrat, was lynched by locals in Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari on Wednesday night over allegations of extortion. The incident took place around 11 pm in the Hossaindanga Old Market area.
Confirming the incident on Thursday morning, Pangsha Model Police Station officer-in-charge Sheikh Moinul Islam said Amrit was the leader of a listed criminal group called “Samrat Bahini” and the son of Akshay Mondal from Hossaindanga village. Police said one of Amrit’s associates, Salim Sheikh, was caught by residents with two firearms and later handed over to the authorities.
Salim, a resident of Bosa-Kushtia village in Pangsha and son of Islam Sheikh, was allegedly part of an armed gang formed by Amrit in his own name. According to police and local sources, Amrit was involved in extortion and other criminal activities in the area. During the Awami League government, he reportedly fled to India but continued running his operations from there, returning to the locality only recently.
On Wednesday night, Amrit allegedly went to a house in the old market area to demand ransom. When the homeowner refused, members of his gang reportedly came back later. Not finding the homeowner, they allegedly assaulted his son. The family then raised an alarm, shouting “robber,” which drew nearby residents to the spot, who attacked Amrit and beat him to death.
Read More: Tarique Rahman Pitches New Bangladesh Plan In First Speech After Arrival
While Amrit died at the scene, his associates managed to escape, except Salim, who was detained by locals. OC Sheikh Moinul Islam told Prothom Alo that multiple cases, including murder, were already registered against Amrit Mondal. He added that Salim had been arrested with a pistol and a one-shooter gun, the body had been recovered and sent for autopsy, and several new cases were being prepared in connection with the incident.
