Police have identified a suspect in the shooting of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch and a prospective independent candidate in the 13th parliamentary election. The suspect has been named as Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan, sparking public interest over his identity and background.
Media reports indicate that Faisal Karim was previously involved in politics with the now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, which is also banned. He was included as a member of the organisation’s central committee announced on May 11, 2019. His full name is Faisal Karim Daud Khan.
Osman Hadi, who was eyeing the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot on Friday afternoon on Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan, a day after the election schedule for the 13th national polls was announced. According to police, the attacker arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire, and fled the scene immediately. Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. The Inqilab Manch has said his condition remains serious.
Investigators suspect Faisal Karim’s involvement after comparing CCTV footage of the shooting with photographs showing him alongside Osman Hadi at different locations, including the Inqilab Cultural Centre founded by Hadi. The physical resemblance between the gunman seen in the footage and Faisal Karim in those images has fueled the suspicion. The issue has also drawn widespread attention on social media and across news platforms.
Witnesses said Osman Hadi was travelling on a battery-powered rickshaw when he was shot by a man riding pillion on a motorcycle. The attackers then escaped at high speed.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) circulated a photograph of the suspected shooter to the media on Saturday, saying the identification was made through analysis of CCTV footage from the crime scene. Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could help locate him.
In addition, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced a reward of Tk 50 lakh for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooter.
