'Shahin Chairman' is the mastermind behind Osman Hadi's murder, former Chhatra League leaders in collaboration

New information has come to light about the planners behind the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the frontline organizers of the July Uprising and convener of the Inqilab Mancha. The investigation has revealed that the name of Shahin Ahmed, a former upazila chairman of Dhaka's South Keraniganj, alias 'Shahin Chairman', is involved in the main planning and implementation of this murder. According to the intelligence agency, he had a direct role in managing both money and weapons.

Multiple sources related to the investigation said that Shahin Chairman was not alone in this murder. Several other people were in close contact and collaboration with him. Among them, initial information has been found about the involvement of some former leaders of the banned Chhatra League. Surveillance has been intensified on some suspects in this incident.

Detectives claim that former Gopalganj District Chhatra League president Abdul Hamid helped the attackers flee from Dhaka towards the border after the attack on Hadi. A drive has been intensified to arrest him on charges of his involvement in the incident. Information obtained during the investigation shows that he had multiple contacts with the killers before and after the attack.

Officials involved in the investigation said that Sharif Osman Hadi's active role in the July coup and his consistent statements and political stance after August 5 last year angered the Awami League. Hadi was considered a 'big risk' in the party's internal assessment. It is in that context that the investigation has revealed that a planned assassination plan was prepared targeting him.

Shaheen Ahmed's political and criminal background is also gaining importance in the investigation. He was the president of the South Keraniganj Police Station Awami League for a long time. Although locally influential, he is alleged to have been known as a terrorist and a gunman in law enforcement records for a long time. The investigation has mentioned that he was elected as the Upazila Chairman several times as a close associate of former State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu during the Sheikh Hasina government and remained out of reach despite various allegations.

According to locals, after the political upheaval of August 5 last year, Shaheen Chairman crossed the border and went to India. Although he was in hiding initially, he became active again in recent months. The investigation has revealed that he tried to carry out the murder by keeping in touch with members of the 'sleeper cell' in the country using various apps.

A law enforcement official said that evidence of Shaheen Chairman's involvement has been found based on several WhatsApp calls and text messages. At the same time, information about the killers' contact with fugitive Chhatra League leader Abdul Hamid was also found. The investigation has also revealed that several groups based in India were coordinating the work of their associates in Dhaka through app-based communication.

Sources said that the names of several other politicians have been included in the list of suspects in the investigation of this case. The arrested accused are being interrogated jointly to ascertain their roles. In addition, efforts are underway to arrest two Chhatra League leaders from Keraniganj who are known to be close to the Shaheen Chairman.

In this regard, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam said, "Investigation is underway with utmost seriousness, considering all aspects. We are hopeful that the identity of the mastermind of this murder, including the planners, will be clear very soon."