Bangladesh police have arrested another suspect in the gruesome mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Das in Mymensingh district, a case that has intensified national and international scrutiny over the safety of religious minorities in the country. Authorities said the latest arrest reflects steady progress in the investigation and reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all those involved are held accountable.
The Detective Branch on Sunday detained 22-year-old Mohammad Rajib from the Gazipur area in connection with the killing. Dipu Das, who worked at a garment factory, was attacked in December in an incident that shocked the nation. Police officials said Rajib’s presence and participation in the assault were established through CCTV footage as well as statements from eyewitnesses who saw him actively involved.
According to investigators, Rajib was among the group that forcibly dragged Dipu Das from the area and subjected him to a violent beating. Senior officers said visual evidence and corroborated testimonies clearly pointed to his role in the attack, strengthening the case against him.
Dipu Chandra Das, aged 27, was lynched on December 18 in a busy market area of Mymensingh. Investigators said he was first compelled to resign from his job by factory supervisors and then pushed out of the workplace. He was allegedly handed over to an enraged mob that accused him of wrongdoing, leading to an extremely violent chain of events.
Police said the mob beat him brutally, dragged his body to a crowded intersection, hung him from a tree and later set the body on fire in public view. Officials added that some of his co-workers were also suspected to have joined the attackers. The sheer brutality of the act, carried out in a public commercial space, sparked outrage both within Bangladesh and abroad.
Investigators said CCTV cameras from nearby shops and traffic points captured Rajib at the scene during the assault. His movements were later matched with accounts from witnesses who confirmed his participation. After the killing, Rajib reportedly went into hiding and kept changing locations to avoid detection.
Despite these attempts, police said they used technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs to track him down. He was eventually arrested while working at a garment factory in Gazipur, bringing him back into custody for questioning.
Earlier in the investigation, police had arrested Arafat, who they believe played a central role in orchestrating the attack. Officials said he allegedly incited others, rapidly gathering a mob and directing the violence against Dipu Das. Investigators claim he personally dragged the victim to the intersection where the body was later displayed and burned.
Arafat, a local resident who was also known to teach at a mosque, is under scrutiny for the influence he may have wielded in mobilising the crowd. Authorities are examining whether his position in the community contributed to the scale and speed of the violence.
With Rajib’s arrest, the total number of people detained in connection with the lynching has risen to 22, police said. Several more suspects remain under watch as investigators continue to analyse call records, financial links and digital evidence to uncover the full extent of involvement.
Senior officials said the investigation remains ongoing and vowed that no one connected to the crime would be spared. The killing has renewed international concern over repeated attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, prompting calls from rights groups for firm action and stronger safeguards.
Human rights activists said the public nature and brutality of the crime deeply disturbed the conscience of society and underscored the need for swift, transparent justice. Police said a formal chargesheet would be filed once the investigation is completed and all forensic reports are received.
