DHAKA — Mizanur Rahman, a well-known street food vendor who rose to social media fame as ‘Viral Mizan’ for selling beef and rice meals for just 100 Taka, has been arrested by Kafrul Police Station officers in the Agargaon area of the capital. The arrest followed a violent altercation in which he allegedly assaulted municipal workers and police officers attempting to sever an illegal electrical connection at his stall.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon during a joint enforcement drive conducted by the power department and the local city corporation. According to official reports, an executive magistrate alongside utility personnel visited Agargaon to disconnect unmetered power lines serving informal vendors on public footpaths. When officials moved to sever the unauthorized wire feeding Mizan’s stall, the vendor confronted the team, physically attacking city corporation workers and on-duty police personnel.
Clashes During Routine Utility Enforcement
Kafrul Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed the arrest, stating that officers detained Mizan at the scene to restore order. A formal case was subsequently filed against him for obstructing government officials in the execution of their duties and assaulting law enforcement officers. Following the completion of initial booking procedures, police produced the suspect in court on Sunday, 9 August.
The enforcement operation was part of a wider municipal crackdown on illegal utility tapping across Dhaka’s footpaths. Unauthorised electrical connections drawn directly from public distribution lines represent a severe fire hazard, place immense pressure on the urban grid, and result in substantial financial losses for power distribution companies. Municipal authorities regularly conduct these disconnection drives to eliminate dangerous wiring setups that clutter city pavements and threaten public safety.
From Social Media Sensation to Custody
Mizanur Rahman captured widespread public attention across digital platforms by offering substantial meals containing beef and rice at the remarkably low price of 100 Taka in Agargaon. In a metropolis where rising food inflation has significantly pushed up the cost of dining out, his budget-friendly offerings and eccentric promotional tactics quickly earned him a massive online following and heavy daily footfall at his roadside eatery.
However, his business practices have now drawn formal legal scrutiny. Street vendors across the capital frequently rely on informal or illicit arrangements for power and commercial space, highlighting the persistent friction between municipal regulatory enforcement and the city’s vast informal food economy. Authorities confirmed that further legal action against Mizan will proceed in full accordance with standard court procedures.
