Ex-Keraniganj chairman named as planner in Hadi killing: report

PARBATTA NEWS DESK

Fresh details have emerged in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and a front-line participant in the July uprising.

Citing intelligence sources involved in the investigation, Jugantor reported that Shaheen Ahmed, a former upazila chairman of Keraniganj in Dhaka—also known as “Shaheen Chairman”—has been identified as the alleged planner of the murder.

According to the report, investigators believe Shaheen financed the operation and arranged the supply of weapons. The same sources also told Jugantor that several other individuals may have been linked to the crime as his associates, including some leaders of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

Police are also searching for Abdul Hamid, the former president of Gopalganj district Chhatra League, on suspicion of involvement, the report said. Based on information received, Hamid allegedly helped the assailants flee from Dhaka towards the border after the attack on Hadi.

Jugantor further reported that the Awami League had been angered by Hadi’s role in the July movement and by his statements and activities since August 5 last year, and that he was allegedly marked as a top target.

The report said Shaheen Ahmed had for years served as president of the Awami League’s South Keraniganj thana unit. Locally, he was widely known as a crime boss, it added. During the Sheikh Hasina administration, the report claimed, he was considered a close aide of former state minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu, and his name had long appeared in police records as a known armed criminal.

Locals told Jugantor that after the political changes on August 5, Shaheen—like many influential Awami League leaders—crossed the border into India. While he reportedly kept a low profile for an extended period, he has become active again over the past three to four months, they said, including allegedly contacting “sleeper cell” members inside Bangladesh through various messaging apps.

A law enforcement official told Jugantor that investigators found indications of Shaheen’s involvement through WhatsApp calls and SMS exchanges. The official also claimed there is evidence that Abdul Hamid communicated multiple times with the attackers before and after the incident. The report added that groups based in India were allegedly using apps to coordinate tasks for sleeper-cell members in Dhaka, some of whom have since come under surveillance.

Sources also told Jugantor that several politicians have been named in the investigation’s suspect list, and efforts are under way to gather more information. Arrested suspects are being jointly interrogated by investigators and intelligence teams, the report said, adding that police are also trying to arrest two Chhatra League leaders from Keraniganj described as close associates of Shaheen.

Asked about the probe, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam told Jugantor late Friday night, “We are investigating, taking all aspects into account. The case is being investigated with the highest priority. I hope we will be able to identify the mastermind and learn the names of all those involved in planning it very soon.”