'Killed due to political vengeance': Chargesheet filed in Osman Hadi case; Awami League student wing blamed

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday submitted its chargesheet in the Sharif Osman Hadi case, naming 17 people in connection with the killing of the Bangladesh student leader.

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Md Shafiul Islam, additional commissioner of the DMP’s Detective Branch, said Hadi was killed out of “political vengeance” at the behest of the now-banned Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina. The former prime minister was ousted following student-led protests in August 2024 and has since been living in India.


“Through public rallies and social media, Hadi had strongly criticised the past activities of the Awami League and the Chhatra League,” Islam told reporters, referring to the party’s student wing. “His outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and its affiliated groups.”

Also read: Who was Sharif Osman Hadi? Key figure in Sheikh Hasina ouster
“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 police officer added.

Hadi, 32, a spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, rose to national prominence during the mass protests that led to the fall of the Hasina-led government. He was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning in Dhaka.

He was also a parliamentary candidate for the February 12 elections. Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.

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Meanwhile, Islam further stated the alleged shooter, Faisal Karim Masud, was “directly involved” with the Chhatra League. Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi—an Awami League-nominated ward councillor—allegedly helped Masud and another prime suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, flee after the murder.

So far, 12 people have been arrested in connection with the case.

On Monday, home affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had told reporters the final chargesheet would be submitted on January 7. However, police filed it a day earlier amid protests in Dhaka by Inqilab Moncho, which has been demanding justice for its slain leader.

(With PTI inputs)