Osman Hadi Murder Case: Key Accused Claims He Is in Dubai, Denies Role in Killing

Just hours after a prominent Bangladeshi journalist publicly claimed to have identified the overseas location of a key suspect in the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, the accused released a video message from abroad denying any role in the killing and alleging a political conspiracy against him.

In the widely circulated video, Faisal Karim Masud—identified by Bangladeshi police as one of the main suspects in the shooting death of Osman Hadi—stated that he is currently residing in Dubai. Masud categorically rejected allegations linking him to the murder and instead blamed the Islamist student group Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Jamaat Shibir, for the crime.

Masud further claimed that his association with Osman Hadi was strictly professional. He said their interactions were limited to business dealings, asserting that there was no personal or political rivalry between them that could have led to violence.

The video emerged shortly after a social media post by veteran journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury went viral. In the post, the journalist claimed that one of the main suspects in Osman Hadi’s murder was hiding in Dubai. Within hours, Masud responded with his own recorded statement, rejecting the accusation and calling it politically motivated.

“I did not kill Hadi,” Masud said in the video message. “I am being falsely implicated along with members of my family. I came to Dubai to protect myself from this witch hunt.” He alleged that Jamaat Shibir was responsible for the killing and suggested that internal political rivalries may have played a role.

Explaining his connection to the slain leader, Masud said he is the owner of an information technology firm and had interacted with Hadi for professional reasons. He also claimed that he had made political donations in the past, allegedly in exchange for assurances of government contracts, though he did not provide documentary evidence to support this assertion.

Earlier, Bangladeshi police had stated that Faisal Karim Masud and another suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, fled the country following the December 12 attack on Osman Hadi. According to police claims, the two allegedly crossed into India through the Haluaghat border before moving on to other destinations.

However, Indian security agencies have strongly disputed these allegations. The Border Security Force (BSF) and Meghalaya Police have denied any such cross-border movement, describing the reports of the suspects entering India as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

Osman Hadi was shot in broad daylight on December 12 while campaigning in Dhaka’s Paltan area. The attack, which took place in a busy public setting, sent shockwaves across the country. Hadi was later flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.

His death triggered widespread protests, political demonstrations, and national unrest across Bangladesh, with supporters demanding swift justice and accountability. The case has since become a major flashpoint in the country’s volatile political environment.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have confirmed that multiple individuals linked to the murder and the alleged escape plan have been arrested. Investigators say they are actively pursuing leads and examining financial, political, and logistical links connected to the crime.

Authorities have also placed two individuals on remand who are suspected of assisting Faisal Karim Masud in fleeing the country. Police officials have indicated that a charge sheet in the case is expected to be filed in the coming days.

As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies maintain that all claims—including those made in the viral video—are being scrutinized carefully. Until formal charges are proven in court, officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on verified information.

The Osman Hadi murder case remains one of the most closely watched criminal and political investigations in Bangladesh, with developments continuing to shape public discourse and national stability.