Faisal shouldn’t be a scapegoat, says Hadi’s sister

Masuma Hadi, the sister of slain Inqilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Hadi has demanded that everyone involved in her brother’s killing be brought to trial and given exemplary punishment.

She said, “The focus should be on the entire gang and all involved in Hadi’s killing should face a trial. Faisal shouldn’t just be a scapegoat. Hanging Faisal and letting the others go into hiding will never ensure justice.”

Two and a half months since Hadi’s murder, the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police has arrested Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the murder, along with his associate Alamgir Hossain.

According to an ANI report and STF media statement on Sunday, the duo were intercepted in Bongaon in the wee hours of Mar 8.

But Hadi’s family is not content with just Faisal's arrest. The deceased's sister, Masuma, said that the “true killers behind the scenes” should not be hidden by hanging Faisal alone.

Hadi, who rose to prominence during the July Uprising and the movement to ban the Awami League, had announced plans to contest the 13th parliamentary election as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency.

He came under attack on Dec 12 while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at him as he was travelling in a rickshaw.

He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for surgery and later admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital. Two days later, he was flown to Singapore for further treatment, where he died on Dec 18 last year.

Hadi’s sister Masuma spoke to bdnews24.com at her home in the Khasmahal area of Jhalakathi’s Nalchity Upazila on Monday. She said, "Faisal was the shooter. He has been arrested, so we are somewhat hopeful that he will be brought to justice."

"However, it is necessary to reveal through investigation who else is involved in this murder, who gave the orders to Faisal, who provided the money, and who helped him get out of jail on bail."

After the shooting, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, filed a case over attempted murder. The charge of murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code was later added.

Following an investigation, the Detective Branch of police submitted a chargesheet on Jan 6 against 17 people, including Bappi and former Chhatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud, in the Hadi murder case.

In the chargesheet, the investigating officer, DB Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, said that after analysing the political identities of the accused and the political statements made by Hadi at different times, it was initially understood that Hadi was shot dead “due to a political vendetta”.

The charge sheet also states that defendant Faisal Karim Masud and his associates infiltrated Hadi's election campaign in a pre-planned manner to “obstruct” the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections and “create fear” among voters.

However, the Inqilab Moncho said it was not satisfied with the charge sheet. The court has given the CID the responsibility of investigating the case afresh after the plaintiff in the case, Abdullah Al Jaber, filed an objection.

Masuma said, "Necessary measures must be taken to quickly bring the accused to justice and complete the trial, and to quickly bring Faisal and Alamgir back to the country."

Hadi's father was a teacher at a madrasa in Jhalakathi. Hadi began his education at Nesarabad Kamil Madrasa, and later enrolled at Dhaka University.

He once taught at Saifur’s, an English coaching centre. Most recently, he taught at a private university called the University of Scholars.

Hadi has been buried next to the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, near the central mosque of Dhaka University.