The brother of slain youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi has publicly accused Bangladesh's caretaker government of masterminding the assassination, claiming it was a plot to destabilise the nation and sabotage the upcoming national election scheduled for February.
Family Alleges Government Conspiracy in Political Killing
Speaking at a protest rally in Dhaka's Shahbagh area on Tuesday, Sharif Omar bin Hadi stated that those in power could not escape responsibility for the murder of his brother. Osman Hadi, a convenor of the political platform Inqilab Moncho, was shot on December 12 and succumbed to his injuries in Singapore on December 18. The killing occurred just days after the Election Commission announced February 12 as the date for the next national polls.
"This killing was meant to sabotage the election," Omar Hadi declared at a 'Shahidi Shopoth' (martyr's oath) programme organised by Inqilab Moncho outside the National Museum. He directly accused "a quarter within the government" of planning the attack to disrupt the electoral process. "It is you who had Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
Ultimatum for Justice and Threats of Escalated Protests
Omar Hadi emphasised that his brother was a firm advocate for holding the elections by February and had been actively preparing on the ground. He demanded that the government respect this wish and ensure the election environment remains undisturbed. He warned that the authorities had shown "no visible progress" in delivering justice and claimed Osman Hadi was targeted for refusing to bow to any agency or "foreign masters."
In a parallel address, Inqilab Moncho's Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber alleged a "deep conspiracy" involving international intelligence agencies and domestic "fascist associates" aimed at undermining Bangladesh's sovereignty. The platform has issued a stern 30-working-day ultimatum to the government to identify and arrest the killers. They have threatened to launch tougher nationwide agitation programmes if their demand is not met.
While the group announced a pause in formal protests on December 25, coinciding with the expected return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, it plans wall-writing and social media campaigns on December 24 and 25. Further agitation is scheduled to resume from December 26.
Government Response and Ongoing Investigations
The interim government has rejected allegations of inaction. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul stated that the case would be tried under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, which mandates completion within 90 days of the investigation report being filed. Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury affirmed the case was a top priority.
Joint forces comprising police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh have arrested at least 10 individuals so far. These include family members of the prime suspect, Faisal Karim Masud. Authorities confirm that efforts to apprehend the main accused are ongoing.
In a related political development, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina also blamed the interim government for the deteriorating law-and-order situation, describing the killing as a reflection of "lawlessness." Osman Hadi, a prominent figure from the July uprising and a potential candidate for Dhaka-8, has become a rallying point for major protests across Bangladesh as the nation moves closer to a pivotal election.
