Video: Fatal $15 Mugging Victim's Family Call Attack Hate Crime

Victim Bimal Chanda (Via WPIX)

The family of the Bronx man who was mugged and beaten over the weekend for $15, and died a few days later of his injuries, claim the attack may have been a hate crime. Family members and neighbors gathered last night outside the funeral home where services for 59-year-old Bimal Chanda, who was Bengali, were held. While police say there's no indication of a hate crime, Chanda's widow believes there had to be a different motive, since the two muggers brutally beat him, yet left his wallet filled with credit cards and $90 in cash, only taking $15 from his pocket: "I've been hearing things, from other family, friends and relatives, other Bengali people, they've been getting mugged on a daily basis, and it's really not acceptable," one family member told NBC.

Chanda was in the middle of moving out of his old apartment in Fordham last Saturday morning when he was attacked by two men who repeatedly struck him with a metal object. According to family friend Mohammad Solaiman Ali, Chanda was moving his wife Chaya and 16-year-old daughter Chaitalli because they were afraid of the neighborhood. "I talked to the community board, the police, but no one pays attention," Ali told the Daily News. "We have had a lot of people killed in this neighborhood in the last 6 months. They wanted to move because the area isn't changing. At 5 or 6 a.m., you can see prostitutes on every corner."

NYPD

“I am constantly looking over my shoulder,” neighbor Osvaldo Delabra told CBS. “Sometimes you’re even afraid if somebody’s coming into the building right behind.” Police released surveillance video of the suspects, who you can see above. They were described as black men, 20-to-25-years old, about 6-feet and 180 pounds. Watch the video below:

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on November 4, 2011 11:40 AM

Comments [rss]

whitecastlerock

Any word from the mayor or police commissioner yet????

Guest

That's just despicable. Anyhow, on which corners can you find the prostitutes...?

Spirit of 76

Hey, Tea Party. Tell me again how hardworking immigrants are the downfall of America and how the people who were born here (through no choice of their own) should get priority for everything.

Red Ryder

Yup, MS13 is a wonderful organization of mostly immigrants, that raises money for charities and helps old ladies across the street.

masterjarvis

i agree with you but your point still has nothing to do with this story

winning1234

I don't think "two black men in their 20s" is exactly the demographic of the Tea Party. Thanks for playing though.

Spirit of 76

Those "two black men" are probably "native New Yorkers," the same status that so many on Gothamist (and probably a lot of people in Rikers) take great pride in. The point is that the Tea Party doesn't really differentiate. To them, an American is an American and a foreigner is a foreigner.

BoogieDown

As a resident of the Bronx, I have nothing but kind words for the vast majority of Bengali people I encounter. Most of them take good care of their homes, their children are well-behaved, and they conduct themselves in a manner that exudes respect for themselves and those around them. I wouldn't shed a tear if these hardworking people displaced every last dirtbag that has plagued this borough for long enough.

RIP Mr. Chanda.

theevilerone

This is awful. That poor family.

colonelcasey

Yeah robbery is definitely not the motive if they left his wallet alone. It's either a hate crime or two bozos looking to gain "street cred" by beating the shit out of a random person.

Lauryn Doll

Things like this are not only horrifying to see but really affect how you look at certain things. What kind of heartless people can go this far to use violence of that level on others? And over $15 of all things? WTF... you can't find a better way to express your anger and put money in your pocket?