Staff Reporter:
Rejecting the charge sheet in the murder case of Sharif Usman Hadi, Inqilab Moncho on Thursday accused state agencies of “extreme negligence and non-cooperation” in the investigation.
The organisation made the allegations at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University in the afternoon.
Addressing the conference, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said the court held a hearing on the charge sheet earlier in the day. He said that during the first hearing on 12 January, defence lawyers sought time to assist the state.
In Thursday’s hearing the organisation formally expressed “disapproval” of the investigation report and charge sheet.
Jaber raised serious questions about the role of intelligence agencies, claiming they acted in a disorganised manner before and after the incident.
“On the night of the murder, the intelligence agency called us around midnight and asked for help in identifying the crime scene. They also requested us to collect CCTV footage,” he said, adding that such conduct from state agencies appeared “mysterious and questionable”.
He further alleged that despite being the plaintiff in the case, the police have yet to provide them with a copy of the case file.
“We contacted Shahbagh, Motijheel and later Paltan police stations several times, but none of them provided us with a copy,” he said.
Jaber also criticised contradictory official statements regarding the whereabouts of the prime suspect.
“One day it is said that the accused has fled to India, another day it is claimed he is in Dhaka. The Detective Branch said he is in Meghalaya, but the Meghalaya police held a press conference denying any arrest. These contradictions seriously undermine the credibility of the investigation,” he added.
Terming the charge sheet “weak and vague”, Jaber said it failed to name the main planners behind the murder. “The investigation ignored the fact that an organised killing gang carried out this murder,” he said.
He also questioned the official claim that Hadi was killed in a moment of anger for speaking against the Awami League. “If this was merely an act of rage, then why was he kept under surveillance for two months?” he asked.
According to Jaber, five shooters were allegedly on standby on the day of the murder, ready to act if one failed. “We have information that a 21-member team was involved, but the charge sheet makes no mention of the remaining four groups or teams,” he said.
He warned that continuous non-cooperation by the state raises serious doubts. “It makes us question whether someone from within the state is involved in this murder,” he said.
Issuing a stern warning, Jaber said, “If the interim government’s chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, the army chief, the Awami League, or even Sheikh Hasina are involved, everyone must be brought to justice.”
At the press conference, Jaber announced fresh protest programmes across the country, including a sit-in at Shahbagh on Friday.
“The trial of Shaheed Osman Hadi’s murder cannot be left hanging like the Sagar-Runi case,” he said.
“We will not leave the streets until justice is ensured for my brother’s blood. Our movement will continue until the killers of Shaheed Osman Hadi are punished.”
