Bangladesh has completed all legal and diplomatic procedures required to bring back the key suspects in the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi and is now awaiting India's approval for their extradition, officials said on Monday.
Meanwhile, Inqilab Mancha has announced a fresh protest program, demanding the extradition of the accused and a full investigation into what it describes as both domestic and foreign conspiracies behind the killing.
The principal accused fled to India through Meghalaya after the murder and later took refuge in Kolkata, where they were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Government of West Bengal, CID Chief Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain told Dhaka Tribune.
"Bangladesh has completed all legal and diplomatic formalities required under the bilateral extradition treaty. We are now waiting for India to hand over the accused. We are fully prepared to receive them," he said.
Mosharraf, however, could not say how long the transfer process might take.
He said the extradition of the three accused—Faisal Karim Masud, alleged shooter Alamgir Hossain and Philip Sangma—is expected to help investigators uncover crucial new details about the planning and execution of the murder.
Recently, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh had already sent all necessary documents and warrants to the Indian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty.
"We are hopeful that they will be returned to us, enabling us to complete the investigation and submit the charge sheet properly," he said.
Bangladesh and India signed an extradition treaty in 2013, later amended in 2016, allowing fugitives accused of serious crimes, including murder, to be returned to face trial. The treaty also permits the extradition of each country's own nationals.
CID: Further investigation underway
CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan told Dhaka Tribune that investigators had arrested two more suspects—Md Rubel and Majedul—based on evidence uncovered after the original charge sheet was submitted. Both have given confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
He also said investigators had identified Moinuddin Shuvo, who allegedly supplied the motorcycle used in the killing, and efforts were underway to arrest him.
According to Khan, the return of the main accused, Faisal and Alamgir, would significantly advance the investigation.
"Once they are returned and interrogated, we expect to conclude the investigation very quickly," he said.
Background of the murder
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Mancha, was preparing to contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Dhaka-8 constituency as an independent candidate and had been conducting an unconventional election campaign for nearly a year.
On December 12 last year, motorcycle-borne assailants shot him in the head on Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan. He was flown to Singapore for treatment but died on December 18.
Following the shooting, Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a case with Paltan Police Station on December 14 under Sections 120(B), 326, 307, 109 and 34 of the Penal Code. After Hadi's death, the case was converted into a murder case.
On January 6 this year, Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Faisal Ahmed submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka, alleging that the murder had been planned out of political vengeance.
The accused include principal suspect Faisal Karim Masud alias Rahul alias Daud (37), Alamgir Hossain (26), Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi (43), Philip Snal (32), Mukti Mahmud (51), Jesmin Akter (42), Humayun Kabir (70), Hasi Begum (60), Saheda Parvin Samia (24), Wahid Ahmed Shipu (27), Maria Akter Lima (21), Kabir (33), Nuruzzaman alias Ujjal (34), Sibiyon Dio (32), Sanjoy Chisim (23), Aminul Islam alias Raju (37) and Faisal (25).
On January 15, the complainant challenged the charge sheet, prompting the court to transfer the case to the CID for further investigation.
Of the 17 accused, 11 are currently in custody, while six remain fugitives. They include Faisal Karim Masud, Alamgir Hossain, former Mirpur ward councillor and Dhaka North Jubo League Organising Secretary Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, Philip Snal, Mukti Mahmud and Faisal's sister Jesmin Akter.
Police findings
According to investigators, the murder was motivated by political revenge.
Police said Faisal had previously been involved in student politics with the Bangladesh Chhatra League. Based on the political affiliations of both the accused and the victim, as well as Hadi's public statements, investigators concluded that political hostility was the primary motive behind the killing.
Investigators further alleged that leaders and activists of the now-banned Awami League, the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and their affiliated organizations planned the murder.
Police alleged that Faisal and Alamgir carried out the attack. Investigators said Alamgir drove the motorcycle while Faisal, riding pillion, shot Hadi from behind as he was travelling in a rickshaw.
Investigators also alleged that former Dhaka North City Corporation Ward-6 coucillor and Pallabi Thana Jubo League President Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi played a key role in helping the two main accused escape.
Police further alleged that 12 others, including members of Faisal's family, helped him evade arrest and cross the border.
According to investigators, Faisal's brother-in-law Mukti Mahmud, sister Jesmin Akter, father Humayun Kabir, mother Hasi Begum, wife Saheda Parvin Samia, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, girlfriend Maria Akter Lima and associate Kabir provided him with shelter after the killing.
Nuruzzaman allegedly arranged a rental vehicle to facilitate the escape, while Philip Snal, Sibiyon Dio, Sanjoy Chisim and Aminul Islam allegedly helped Faisal cross the border illegally. The remaining accused, Faisal (25), later led investigators to the recovery of the firearm allegedly used in the murder.
Inqilab Mancha announces fresh protest program
Inqilab Mancha has announced a fresh series of program demanding justice for Hadi's murder, the extradition of the accused from India and a comprehensive investigation into what it describes as both domestic and foreign conspiracies behind the killing.
At an emergency press conference in front of Madhur Canteen at the University of Dhaka, Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber accused the authorities of repeatedly delaying the investigation and failing to ensure justice.
"The investigation report has been postponed several times. We will no longer tolerate further delays," he said.
Al Jaber argued that attributing the murder solely to political rivalry would oversimplify the case, claiming that it could involve broader domestic and international connections. He also alleged possible Indian involvement in the conspiracy.
Questioning the role of intelligence agencies, he said that although a private investigative organization had identified the suspected killers within a short period, state intelligence agencies had failed to do so. He further alleged that despite the murder of a parliamentary candidate in the capital, the perpetrators managed to flee the country within hours without being intercepted by law enforcement.
