- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladeshi police on Tuesday charged 17 people in the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, describing the murder as a “politically motivated” attack linked to supporters of the now-banned Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League. Investigators say Hadi was targeted because of his outspoken criticism of the party and its past actions.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) submitted the chargesheet on Tuesday, naming 17 accused, of whom 12 have been arrested so far. Five suspects remain at large. Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Md Shafiul Islam, additional commissioner of the DMP’s Detective Branch, said the investigation had established that Hadi was killed out of “political vengeance”.
Police Cite Political Motive Behind Killing
“Through public rallies and social media, Hadi had strongly criticised the past activities of the Awami League and the Chhatra League,” Islam said, as quoted by tbsnews and reported by PTI. “His outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and its affiliated groups.”
Considering the political identities of both the accused and the victim, police concluded that the killing was driven by political motives, he added.
Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi
Hadi was a spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho and rose to national prominence during the mass student-led protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August 2024. He was also a parliamentary candidate for the February 12 elections and had emerged as a vocal critic of the former ruling party.
On December 12, Hadi was shot in the head while campaigning in Dhaka. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, sparking widespread outrage and demands for accountability.
Key Accused Linked To Chhatra League
Police identified the alleged shooter as Faisal Karim Masud, who investigators say was directly associated with the Chhatra League. Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, allegedly helped Masud and another prime suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, flee after the attack. Bappi previously served as president of the Pallabi Thana Chhatra League and was also an Awami League-nominated ward councillor. Islam said the probe revealed a coordinated conspiracy rather than an isolated act.