Pallabi Jubo League ex-president Bappi ordered Hadi murder; chargesheet filed against 17: DB
"Of the accused, 12 have been arrested so far, while five remain at large," DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam says
Highlights
- Political vendetta behind Hadi's murder
- Chargesheet against 17; 12 arrested, 5 absconding
- Pallabi Jubo League ex-president Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi identified as planner
- Prime accused Faisal currently in India, not Dubai, DB chief confirms
- Extradition process for absconding accused to begin after charge framing
The investigation into the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi has identified Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, former president of Pallabi Thana Jubo League, as the person who planned and ordered the killing, according to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
DB chief and Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam disclosed the information during a briefing at the DMP Media Centre, where police submitted a chargesheet against 17 accused in the case. He said political vendetta was the motive behind the murder.
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The chargesheet was filed at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (6 January).
Hadi, an aspiring independent parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-8, had strongly criticised the past activities of the now-banned Awami League and Chhatra League through public rallies and social media, said Shafiqul.
"His outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of Chhatra League and its affiliated organisations."
He further said the shooter, Faisal Karim Masud, was directly involved in Chhatra League politics, while the accused, Bappi, assisted Faisal and another prime suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, in fleeing after the incident.
Responding to another question, the DB chief said investigators have so far identified Bappi as the mastermind behind the killing. "If further involvement of any other individuals is uncovered, a supplementary chargesheet will be submitted," he added.
"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," Shafiqul Islam added.
Bappi is also a former Awami League-nominated councillor for Ward No 6 in Mirpur under Dhaka North City Corporation.
Who is Bappi?
Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi was elected as a ward councillor as an Awami League–nominated candidate in February 2020.
Later became president of Pallabi Thana Jubo League, an organisation now banned alongside other Awami League-affiliated bodies, including Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League.
Investigation sources revealed that Bappi is currently absconding and believed to be hiding in India.
According to DB, he played a key role in helping the accused flee the country after the murder of Hadi. Shortly after the shooting, Bappi allegedly coordinated the escape from India, instructing his brother-in-law Aminul Islam Raju to contact an alleged human trafficker named Philip Snal.
Through this network, shooter Faisal and motorcycle rider Alamgir reportedly crossed the Haluaghat border into India on the night of the incident. Bappi arranged logistics and financing for the escape, using intermediaries and sending money to ensure safe passage.
DB on extradition of fugitives
About the extradition of the prime accused who are reportedly absconding in India, the DB chief said the chargesheet has now been submitted and the extradition process will begin after formal charge framing by the court. "This will be handled by other state agencies. If we are assigned the task, we will also carry it out."
Asked about a video message circulated by prime accused Faisal, Shafiqul Islam confirmed the video was authentic but said Faisal was not in Dubai. "Our investigation shows that he is currently in India," he said.
The DB chief informed that a chargesheet has been filed against 17 accused, of whom 12 have been arrested, while five remain at large.
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.
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 chargesheet was submitted against 17 individuals," he added.
According to the case statement, on 12 December last year, at around 2:20pm, miscreants riding a motorcycle shot Hadi in Paltan's Box Culvert Road area before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries after being shot in the head and below his right ear.
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 15 December for advanced treatment. He died while undergoing treatment on 18 December.
Following the incident, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Mancha, filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Police Station on 14 December. After Hadi's death, the case was converted into a murder case
