A chilling video showing 27-year-old garment worker Dipu Chandra Das being beaten to death and his body set on fire in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, has gone viral on social media, triggering nationwide outrage and renewed concern over mob violence fuelled by misinformation.
The video shows hundreds of workers exiting a garment factory through a side gate.
Dipu is seen being assaulted, dragged onto the main road, and later, after being killed, his body is tied to a tree and burned.
The incident took place on the night of December 18, along the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in the Jamirdia Dubaliapara area.
While initial claims suggested Dipu was killed over allegations of insulting religion, police investigations and accounts from family members and local representatives point to a workplace dispute as the likely trigger.
What happened on that day
According to Dipu’s family, tensions escalated inside the factory earlier that day.
Dipu, an employee of Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Limited, had recently appeared in a recruitment examination for promotion from floor manager to supervisor.
His brother Apu Robi Das told Dhaka Tribune that Dipu had disputes with several colleagues over his position.
On the afternoon of the incident, he was dismissed from his job.
Shortly afterward, allegations of insulting religion were raised against him.
“They beat my brother and threw him out of the factory,” Apu said.
“Even after he was caught and apologized, they did not spare him.”
Apu said Dipu’s friend Himel later called him, saying Dipu had been taken to the police station for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad.
“A short while later, he called again and said my brother was dead,” he said.
When Apu reached the scene, he found Dipu’s body burned.
Allegations versus findings
Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have so far found no evidence supporting claims that Dipu insulted religion.
Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Abdullah Al Mamun told Dhaka Tribune that allegations of blasphemy are currently based on word of mouth.
“We have not found any truth to the claims so far,” he said.
Bhaluka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Jahidul Islam also said there was no evidence that Dipu had insulted religion, adding that investigators were probing whether an internal factory conflict led to the killing.
At a recent press briefing, Mymensingh RAB Company Commander Md Shamsuzzaman said no one present at the scene could confirm hearing Dipu make any religiously offensive remarks.
“Even if the deceased had posted something online, that would have been traceable. We found nothing,” he said.
Local accounts point to workplace conflict
Local Ward No 5 member Tofazzel Hossain said the killing was not a spontaneous act of religious outrage.
“I have heard Dipu had long-standing disputes over production targets, overtime, working conditions and workers’ benefits,” he said.
“A conspiracy gradually formed to remove him from the factory.”
According to Tofazzel, Dipu was beaten about a kilometre from the factory, after which his body was tied to a tree and set on fire.
“Those involved must face exemplary punishment,” he said.
Arrests and legal action
Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the killing.
Police Headquarters AIG (Media and PR) AHM Shahadat Hossain confirmed on December 21 that arrests were made between the day of the incident and December 20.
The latest arrestees are Ashikur Rahman, 25, and Qayyum, 25, both residents of Bhaluka.
Those arrested by RAB include Md Limon Sarkar, 19, Md Tarek Hossain, 19, Md Manik Mia, 20, Ershad Ali, 39, Nizum Uddin, 20, Alamgir Hossain, 38, and Md Miraj Hossain Akon, 46.
Earlier police arrests include Md Ajmal Hasan Sagir, 26, Md Shahin Mia, 19, and Md Nazmul.
All suspects are being interrogated, and operations are ongoing to identify and arrest others involved.
Dipu’s brother has filed a murder case against 150 unidentified people, naming himself as the complainant.
In a statement issued on December 19, the interim government condemned the killing.
“There is no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh,” the statement said. “None of those involved in this brutal crime will be spared.”
Police and RAB continue interrogations of the arrested suspects and are tracking leads from video evidence and testimonies to identify additional perpetrators.
Security officials have reiterated their commitment to a thorough investigation.
