In an exclusive interview with India Today, Apu Das, the brother of Dipu Chandra Das—a Hindu man who was brutally lynched in Bangladesh—has demanded the harshest possible punishment for those responsible for his brother’s killing. Rejecting all allegations made against the victim, Apu Das called for capital punishment, saying that nothing short of the death penalty would bring any sense of justice or closure to the grieving family.
Speaking over the phone to India Today journalist Tapas Sengupta, Apu Das described the circumstances surrounding the incident and firmly denied claims that his brother had made any blasphemous remarks. Dipu Chandra Das, who worked as a supervisor at a sweater factory, was killed on Thursday night in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. According to Apu Das, the family was at home when the incident occurred, and Dipu was on duty at his workplace at the time of the attack.
“I cannot say exactly what happened inside the company,” Apu Das said, “but my brother was working when he was attacked.” He stressed that Dipu was a responsible and respectful individual and categorically dismissed the accusations that were circulated after the killing. Calling those claims “completely false,” he said his family did not believe them even for a moment. “My brother was not the kind of person who would ever say or do such a thing,” he added.
Apu Das also clarified that the incident took place nearly 60 to 70 kilometres away from their home in Singhpara Kanda. Contrary to some early reports, he said Dipu was not returning home from work when he was attacked but was inside the factory premises at the time. This, he argued, further weakens the narrative that was used to justify the mob violence against him.
While acknowledging that the family has received support from the local administration, community members, and some political figures, Apu Das said that no amount of sympathy or assistance could compensate for the loss they have suffered. “People are visiting us and helping us in different ways, but my brother is gone forever. Nothing can bring him back,” he said.
When asked about what justice would mean for the family in the current situation in Bangladesh, Apu Das was unequivocal. “We want justice. I want the death penalty for those who brutally murdered my brother. Nothing else will give us peace,” he said. He went on to add that it did not matter how many people had been arrested so far—anyone found guilty must face the strictest punishment possible.
Responding to a question about whether anyone from the Bangladesh government had contacted him personally, Apu Das said there had been no clear or direct communication. “I cannot say for sure. Maybe someone reached out indirectly or slightly, but nothing concrete,” he told India Today.
Despite the horrific nature of the crime, Apu Das said that the family was not living in fear. He credited the solidarity shown by neighbours and members of the local community. “The people around us are standing firmly with us,” he said, adding that this support has given them some strength during an extremely difficult time.
Meanwhile, disturbing new details have emerged about the lynching of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das. According to officials from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police, Dipu was allegedly forced to resign by factory supervisors before being handed over to a mob. Reports in Bangladeshi media outlets state that he was then brutally assaulted, killed, his body hung on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway, and later set on fire.
Authorities have also confirmed that no clear evidence has been found to support the blasphemy allegations that were used to incite the violence. So far, at least 12 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including factory officials and workers, after investigators reviewed CCTV footage and video recordings related to the incident.
Earlier, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus strongly condemned the lynching, stating that there is no place for communal hatred or mob violence in what it described as a “New Bangladesh.” In an official statement, the government assured that “no one involved in the brutal killing would be spared” and promised strict legal action against all those responsible. It also urged citizens to remain alert against violence allegedly instigated by isolated extremist groups seeking to destabilise the country.
Apu Das’s interview has since drawn widespread attention, underscoring not only the family’s demand for justice but also the broader concerns over minority safety, mob violence, and accountability in Bangladesh.
