Bangladesh student leader Hadi murder: Police call it 'politically motivated, Singapore-plotted'
Dhaka: Bangladesh Police has declared that the killing of Islamist student leader Sharif Osman Hadi was “politically motivated”, with investigators asserting that the plot behind the attack was orchestrated in Singapore.
The Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has submitted a chargesheet against 17 individuals to a metropolitan court in Dhaka in connection with the case.
Authorities said the murder was executed on the orders of former Mirpur councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury, also known as Bappi, driven by political rivalry. Officials described the incident as an act of “political vengeance”.
Commenting on the motive, Md Shafiqul Islam, Additional Commissioner of the DMP Detective Branch, told reporters on Tuesday: “Hadi’s political activism had put him in direct conflict with leaders of the now-banned Awami League and its student wing. Through public rallies and social media, Hadi had strongly criticised the past activities of the now-banned Awami League and Chhatra League. Hadi’s outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of Chhatra League and its affiliated groups.”
The Bangladesh Chhatra League is the student wing of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League. Police stated that several accused fled the country after the murder, allegedly crossing into India via the Meghalaya border.
At a press briefing after submitting the chargesheet, Islam said: “Considering the political identities of the accused and the victim’s previous political statements, the investigation has revealed that Hadi was shot dead due to political vengeance.”
The chargesheet lists 17 accused, with Faisal Karim Masud identified as the prime suspect, according to The Dhaka Tribune. Of the 17, 12 have been arrested while five remain at large.
Investigators revealed that a key meeting to plan the assassination was held in Singapore, attended by former MP Elias Mollah, former councillor Taizul Islam, shooter Faisal Karim Masud, and others. Masud is a former Chhatra League leader, while Alamgir Sheikh is linked to the Youth League, and another individual named Philip was also involved in the shooting. All three are currently evading arrest.
Hadi, 32, served as spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho and became nationally known during the July–August 2024 mass protests that led to the fall of the Hasina government. He had also contested the February 12 parliamentary elections and was noted for promoting Islamist and anti-India narratives.
On December 12, Hadi was shot in the head while travelling in a rickshaw on Paltan Road in Dhaka. The attackers fired from a moving motorcycle. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
IANS