Brahmanbaria Protest Demands Death Penalty for Leader

In Brahmanbaria, the family of late former Chhatra Dal leader Saddam Hossain, along with local residents, staged a protest demanding the execution of the main accused in his murder case, Delwar Hossain Dilip, who also serves as the district convenor of the volunteer wing. Protesters additionally called for his immediate expulsion from the organisation and the seizure of his alleged arsenal.

The demonstration began at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 11 January, from the Kandipara area of the town. The procession traversed several major streets before culminating in a rally outside the Brahmanbaria Press Club, drawing significant attention from local residents and the media.

Speakers at the rally included local businessman Abul Hasnat Bhajan, joint convenor of the district farmers’ association Al-Amin, as well as Saddam Hossain’s mother Khodeja Begum and his wife Farzana Akter Trina. They recounted the tragic events of 27 November last year, when Saddam, a resident of Kandipara, was lured from his home and brutally shot and stabbed to death by Dilip and his associates, who are considered among the region’s most notorious criminals.

Protesters voiced their outrage and demanded that the primary accused, Dilip, be swiftly brought to justice with the maximum possible penalty. They also urged authorities to confiscate his weapons and investigate his alleged network of armed supporters to prevent further violence in the region.

The case was officially registered on 28 November by Saddam Hossain’s father, Mostofa Kamal, also known as Mostu Mia, at Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station. Seven individuals, including Dilip, were named as accused. Subsequently, on 1 December, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers arrested Dilip and his accomplice Babul in the Basabo area of the capital. According to police records, Dilip faces at least 19 cases at Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station, including murder and various violent crimes.

The timeline of key developments in the case is summarised in the table below:

Residents of Brahmanbaria expressed hope that swift justice will be served and emphasised that such acts of violence must not recur. Local authorities have assured that the investigation is ongoing and that the law will take its full course.