Bangladesh: Was Hadi ‘killer’ linked to Jamaat? Watch BNP leader’s explosive claim

Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) veteran politician Nilofer Chowdhury Moni has made many heads turn after she alleged that a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and prominent lawyer, Shishir Manir, had twice secured bail for a man who was accused of killing young Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. She went on to claim that one of the bail bonds was secured just months before the assassination of the young activist.

The BNP politician made the allegation during a panel on a Bangladeshi television news channel. She argued that the prime suspect in the case had a legal history and alleged political links that should be scrutinised by the Bangladeshi interim government.

“The man who fired at Hadi in an attempt to kill him — one must look at his background. Who bailed him out twice? Shishir Manir bailed him out twice. I am saying this with responsibility," Moni said during the programme.

More from World

Who was Sharif Osman Hadi? Why has his killing resulted in anti-India violence across Bangladesh? Bangladesh: India suspends visa services in Chittagong after unrest over Sharif Osman Hadi’s death

Moni’s big allegation

During the panel discussion, Moni further alleged inconsistencies in the suspect’s arrests and releases. “Who got caught with 17 lakh rupees? How did this happen twice within a month? We see accused getting caught, but never see them leaving custody. Twice he was bailed out, and on both occasions it was Jamaat’s lawyers," she said.

She also claimed that the suspected shooter had had links to multiple political groups. “This boy was also part of Chhatra League and was also part of the Jamaat circle," Moni alleged, referring to Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

She went on to say that there is a risk to her life since she is making these claims. “If I speak too much, I won’t be able to go home safely. We did not oust Sheikh Hasina for this," Moni furthered.

The assassination that rocked Bangladesh

Earlier this month, Osman Hadi was killed by masked men, creating an uproar across Bangladesh. He was known as a vocal critic of India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and was considered a key figure associated with the so-called July 2024 uprising.

Following his demise, which was announced six days after he was shot, members of Hadi’s family and several groups in Bangladesh, including outfits linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP), accused New Delhi of involvement in his murder.

Quick Reads

View All

US surveillance planes fly over Nigeria after Trump's threats to intervene militarily

US Q3 GDP likely at 3.5% as economy shows resilience after longest government shutdown

However, it is pertinent to note that the Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have rejected the allegations, saying there is no concrete evidence so far that the suspect crossed into India, as of Sunday.

“We do not have any specific information about the last location. And regarding whether the accused crossed the border, we have no specific information on that. We have not been able to confirm that he crossed the border," Bangladesh’s Special Branch chief Khandaker Rafiqul Islam and Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said during a joint press conference on Sunday evening.

However, the death of the activist triggered nationwide protests and a riot-like situation in Bangladesh, with protesters vandalising the offices of media houses and the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.