Political vendetta was the reason behind the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, DB chief and DMP Additional Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a press briefing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) Media Centre in the capital.
"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," he said.
The Detective Branch (DB) chief also said that the shooter Faisal Karim Masud was directly involved in the politics of the Chhatra League. Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, was the president of Pallabi Thana Jubo League and a councillor of Ward No. 6. Bappi helped Faisal and Alamgir Sheikh, another prime suspect, flee after the incident.
"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 vendetta," he continued.
Responding to a query, Md Shafiqul Islam said the investigation has so far identified Bappi as the person who planned and ordered the killing.
"If further involvement of any other individuals is uncovered, a supplementary charge sheet will be submitted accordingly," he maintained.
About a video message circulated by the prime accused Faisal, the DB chief confirmed the video was authentic and said that their investigation shows that he is currently in India, not in Dubai.
About the extradition of the prime accused, the DB chief said the charge sheet has now been submitted and the extradition process will begin after formal framing of the charges by the court. "This will be handled by other state agencies. If we are assigned the task, we will also carry it out," he said.
The DB chief further informed that the charge sheet has been filed against 17 accused, of whom 12 have been arrested, while five remain absconding.
The fugitives are: Faisal Karim Masud, motorcycle rider Alamgir Sheikh, alleged human trafficker Philip Snal, who assisted their escape, alleged mastermind Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal's sister Jasmine.
Md Shafiqul Islam also said based on the overall investigation and available evidence, confessional statements of the arrested accused were recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
"Police reviewed CCTV footage collected from various locations, along with forensic reports on firearms and bullets, and forensic examination reports of mobile phones and other electronic devices. As the involvement of the accused was established through these materials, a charge sheet was submitted against 17 individuals," he noted.
According to the case statement, on December 12, 2025, miscreants riding a motorcycle shot Sharif Osman Hadi at around 2:20 PM in Paltan's Box Culvert Road area in the capital before fleeing the scene.
He sustained critical injuries after being shot in the head and below his right ear.
Sharif Osman Hadi was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was flown to Singapore by air ambulance on December 15 for advanced treatment.
He died while undergoing treatment on December 18 in Singapore. Following the incident, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Mancha, filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Police Station on December 14. After Hadi's death, the case was converted into a murder case.
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