CID Assigned to Investigate Killing of Inquilab Mancha Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has been assigned to investigate the murder case of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The order was issued on Thursday by Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam, who also directed the CID to submit its investigation report by January 20.

Earlier on Thursday, the plaintiff in the case, Abdullah Al Jaber, filed a naraji (objection) petition challenging the submitted charge sheet.

During the hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mostafizur Rahman Mukul, argued that the charge sheet failed to uncover the core mystery of the murder. He alleged that the principal accused were given “safe exit” following the incident and that none of the main perpetrators involved in the killing had been arrested. He described the charge sheet as having been submitted in a perfunctory manner.

The lawyer further stated that Hadi had always sought justice and that the family wanted the real perpetrators behind the killing to be brought to justice, while ensuring that no innocent person is punished. For this reason, he argued, reinvestigation of the case is necessary to uncover the true facts and identify those behind the crime.

After hearing the arguments, the court kept the order pending.

Previously, January 12 had been fixed for a hearing on the admissibility of the charge sheet. On that day, the court approved the appointment of three lawyers from the plaintiff’s side to assist the prosecution. The plaintiff’s lawyers also sought two days to review the charge sheet, after which Thursday was fixed for the hearing.

On January 6, the investigating officer of the case, Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Faisal Ahmed Faisal, submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused, including Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul or Daud.

Sharif Osman Hadi was attacked on December 12 after Friday prayers in the Box Culvert Road area of Old Paltan in the capital. One of two assailants who arrived on a motorcycle shot Hadi in the head while he was riding in a moving rickshaw, before fleeing the scene. He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital as his condition deteriorated. On December 15, he was flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18.

Following a large funeral prayer at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building on December 20, Hadi was buried beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka.