JL leader mastermind of Hadi’s killing: DB
Staff Reporter :
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) on Tuesday submitted a charge sheet against 17 people in connection with the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convener of Inqilab Moncho, formally concluding the investigation into a killing that had sent shockwaves through the post-uprising political landscape.
The charge sheet was filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka, DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said at a press briefing held in the afternoon at the DMP Media Centre.
Addressing journalists, Mr Islam said investigators had found that Osman bin Hadi was shot dead “on orders and planning” by Taizul Islam Chowdhury, also known as Bappy, organisational secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo League and a former Mirpur ward councillor.
According to the DB, the identified shooter is Faisal Karim, a former Chhatra League leader. His alleged accomplice, Alamgir, is described as a member of Adabar Thana Jubo League. Mr Islam said none of the three key accused — Taizul Islam Chowdhury, Faisal Karim and Alamgir — have been arrested so far, as they are believed to have fled to India.
The DB official added that Faisal Karim’s brother-in-law and another fugitive, Philip, were also involved in the shooting. So far, 12 people have been arrested in different phases of the investigation.
Mr Islam said the investigation found that Osman bin Hadi’s political activities and outspoken criticism of the banned Awami League and the outlawed Chhatra League had made him a target. “He initiated a new kind of political movement. Because of this politics, he was killed,” the DB additional commissioner said.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi had emerged as a visible figure in street politics after the mass uprising, positioning Inqilab Moncho as a platform sharply critical of past political violence and organisational practices.
He regularly delivered fiery speeches at rallies and was active on electronic and social media, where he repeatedly attacked what he described as the past crimes and influence networks of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League. Investigators said these statements angered leaders and activists linked to the outlawed student organisation.
The DB disclosed that Osman bin Hadi had been preparing to contest the upcoming national election as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. For several days before the attack, he had been engaged in public outreach, meeting residents and supporters.
On December 12, shortly after Friday prayers, Osman bin Hadi was travelling in a rickshaw along Kalvert Road in Old Paltan when assailants intercepted him.
He was shot in the head at close range, after which the attackers fled on a motorcycle. He was first rushed to a local hospital and later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment.
He died there on December 18.
Islam said the investigation remains open-ended. “If new evidence comes to light, a supplementary charge sheet may be submitted,” he told reporters.