On January 26, Bharati Rani, the widow of Ruplal Das, one of two Hindu men lynched by a mob last August over false theft allegations, filed a complaint alleging that the accused threatened her family to drop the case. The accused, Rubel Paiker, reportedly threatened Bharati and her son in a market. Paiker has recently been granted bail in the matter.
The complaint has been submitted to the Taraganj police station in Rangpur district. In her statement, Bharati Rani, widow of Ruplal Das, cited intimidation and death threats against her family.
Bail followed by threats
According to the complaint, on January 22, Rubel Paiker, one of the accused in the lynching case, allegedly threatened Bharati and her son, Joy, at Taraganj market after securing bail. She claimed that Paiker used obscene language and threatened abduction and murder if she refused to withdraw the case.
Bharati expressed fear for her life and said she was forced to approach the police because her son is living under constant threat. Joy Rabidas, son of the late Ruplal Das, alleged that video evidence clearly shows the involvement of Rubel Paiker and another accused, Sohag, who continue to roam freely and intimidate the family.
Rubel Paiker, however, dismissed the allegations, claiming they were fabricated. He stated that he did not know Bharati Rani and had never visited her home.
The night of the lynching
On the night of August 9, 2025, Pradeep Das was traveling by van from Chharan Baluya in Mithapukur upazila towards Ghanirampur village in Taraganj. After losing his way, Ruplal Das went to guide him. Around 8:30 pm, at Burirhat Bottola in Soyar Union, local residents detained the two men on suspicion of theft.
They were beaten by a mob, and both eventually succumbed to their injuries. Ruplal Das was declared dead on arrival at the Taraganj Upazila Health Complex, while Pradeep Das died the next morning at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
On August 10, locals staged protests demanding action against the perpetrators. A murder case was registered at Taraganj police station, listing 700 unnamed accused. Based on video footage and digital evidence, 12 of the accused have since been arrested.
