Claiming that Sharif Osman Hadi was "killed due to political vendetta", the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Tuesday (January 6) submitted a chargesheet naming 17 people in connection with the Bangladesh student leader's murder.
In a press conference in Dhaka, additional commissioner of the DMP's Detective Branch Md Shafiul Islam said that Hadi was killed out of "political vengeance" at the behest of the Awami League. The Awami League was reportedly led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and has now been banned.
Till date, 12 people have been arrested in connection with the case.
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'His remarks angered activists...'
"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," Md Shafiqul Islam was quoted as saying by news portal tbsnews.net.
The Chhatra League is the student wing of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party.
While submitting the chargesheet, the DMP 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."
About Sharif Osman Hadi
Hadi (32) was a spokesperson of Inqilab Mancho. He gained national prominence during the protests in July-August 2024 that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. On December 12, he was shot in the head during a poll campaign in Dhaka. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but on December 18, he succumbed to his injuries.
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'Shooter linked to Chhatra League'
The DMP said that the alleged shooter, Faisal Karim Masud, was directly linked to the Chhatra League. Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, allegedly helped Masud and another prime suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, flee after the murder. The DMP added that Bappi was the president of Pallabi Thana Chhatra League and an Awami League-nominated ward councillor.
Chargesheet filed a day ahead of its schedule
Home Affairs Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, had informed the media that the chargesheet would be filed on January 7. However, in the wake of mass protests on Dhaka demanding justice for Hadi, it was filed a day ahead of its schedule.
