DHAKA – The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has officially submitted a charge sheet against 17 individuals for the murder of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, the convener of Inqilab Mancha.
The charge sheet was filed on Tuesday in the court of the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Additional Commissioner of DB, Shafiqul Islam, detailed the investigation’s findings during a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre this afternoon.
Masterminded by Former Councillor
According to DB officials, the assassination was a planned political hit. Investigation reveals that Taijul Islam Chowdhury (Bappi), a former ward councillor and organizational secretary of Dhaka North Jubo League, ordered the killing.
The motive was reportedly linked to Sharif Osman Bin Hadi’s rising political influence and his vocal criticism of the now-banned Awami League and Chhatra League.
“Sharif Osman Bin Hadi had introduced a new trend in politics. His speeches against the previous activities of banned organizations deeply agitated their cadres,” stated Shafiqul Islam.
Key Suspects At Large
The primary shooter has been identified as Faisal Karim, a former Chhatra League leader, assisted by Alamgir, a Jubo League activist from Adabor. Both, along with the mastermind Taijul Islam Chowdhury, are currently fugitives.
Intelligence suggests they have fled to India. While 12 suspects have been arrested so far, five remain at large, including Faisal’s brother-in-law and an individual named Philip.
The Assassination and Investigation
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was targeted on December 12 in the Purana Paltan area. While traveling by rickshaw after Jummah prayers, he was shot in the head by assailants on a motorcycle. He was later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Key Investigation Highlights:
- Ballistic Report: The DB confirmed that the ballistic test results for the recovered murder weapon came back positive.
- Video Messages: Addressing recent videos released by Faisal Karim claiming innocence from Dubai, the DB clarified that while the videos appear authentic (not AI-generated), his location claim is false. Investigations place him in India.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: The DB stood by its previous statement that Meghalaya and West Bengal police had assisted in tracking individuals who helped the suspects flee across the border.
The DB noted that a supplementary charge sheet may be filed if further evidence emerges during the ongoing pursuit of the remaining fugitives.
