Man attacked over alleged extortion demand – video goes viral

A video showing a man being attacked by unidentified assailants in Dhaka’s Elephant Road area has gone viral on social media after the incident on Friday evening.

The 11-second footage recorded near the Multiplan Center shows a group of young men in masks brutally attacking the victim with machetes and cleavers.

“An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the attack, with particular emphasis on personal and business disputes as well as extortion,” said Tarek Latif, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

According to police and local sources, the victim is Dr Ehtesham, a local businessman and joint general secretary of the Elephant Road Computer Society.

Wahidul Hasan Dipu, president of the society, was also injured in the incident. However, because he was in his vehicle, he only suffered a foot injury.

According to sources, the attackers initially targeted Dipu’s car as it was leaving the market.

After trying to break the vehicle, they focused on Ehtesham, dragged him out and hacked him on the road. Ehtesham is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Dipu told The Business Standard that the attack was the result of a long-running dispute over extortion.

Dipu said he is in the process of filing a case in connection with the incident.