By Asif Showkat Kallol (Dhaka Bureau)
Bangladesh Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has stated that comments made by West Bengal leader Mamata Banerjee are being considered as a potentially relevant element in the ongoing investigation into the murder case of political activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
During a public rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee claimed she was aware of who orchestrated the killing and who was involved. However, she declined to disclose any names, stating that revealing such information could cause major political repercussions in Bangladesh. Following her statement, the CID made its position known.
CID Acting Chief Ali Akbar Khan said investigators would examine ‘all information, statements, and potential leads,’ regardless of the source. He added, ‘Any information that could assist the investigation will be considered seriously,’ and noted that Mamata Banerjee’s remarks would also be reviewed.
The murder of Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the political-cultural platform Inqilab Mancha, remains one of Bangladesh’s most widely discussed criminal cases. On December 12, the day after the country’s parliamentary election schedule was announced, he was shot in Dhaka. He later passed away on December 18 while receiving treatment in Singapore.
Three suspects, including the prime accused Faisal Karim Masud, have been arrested in India by West Bengal’s Special Task Force (STF). The Bangladeshi government is working to bring them back through legal and diplomatic channels.
Banerjee’s comments have reignited debate over the cross-border dimensions of the case. While Inqilab Mancha has long alleged Indian involvement in the murder, members of the Bangladesh government have dismissed her remarks as part of India’s domestic political discourse.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Shama Obaed characterized the comments as political in nature, stating that the Bangladesh government remains focused on bringing the perpetrators to justice. On the other hand, leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have described the episode as evidence of India’s broader political maneuvering.
The case is currently under CID investigation after a court rejected a previously filed charge sheet by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detectives (DB) and ordered a fresh probe. To date, 14 suspects have been arrested across Bangladesh and India, with several reportedly giving confessional statements before a magistrate.
Meanwhile, fresh controversy has emerged over the role of Abdullah Al Jaber, the secretary of Inqilab Mancha and the complainant in the murder case. In a social media post, Hadi’s sister, Masuma Hadi, questioned why no family member was made the formal complainant, despite relatives being present immediately after the shooting.
As investigators continue to pursue new leads, Mamata Banerjee’s remarks have injected a new political dimension into a case that already sits at the intersection of crime, politics, and regional diplomatic tensions.
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The Writer:
Asif Showkat Kallol: Works for a German-based online outlet, The Mirror Asia, as Head of News and is a Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
