Inquilab Mancha Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum

Inquilab Mancha, a political platform active in Dhaka’s protest movement, has once again issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Home Affairs Adviser and the Law Adviser, demanding a public account of progress in arresting those responsible for the killing of its spokesperson, Osman Hadi. The organisation has simultaneously called for the immediate formation of a special fast-track tribunal, insisting that the entire judicial process be completed within a tightly defined timeframe.

Addressing a rally at the Shaheed Minar on Monday, Inquilab Mancha’s member secretary, Abdullah Al Jaber, said the group’s position was “unambiguous”: the state must ensure swift justice. Earlier in the afternoon, party activists staged a protest march from Shahbagh, beginning at 3:00 pm, which culminated at the Shaheed Minar. The demonstration was organised to press home demands for the arrest of all suspects linked to Hadi’s killing.

Al Jaber warned that within the next 24 hours, the Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, and the Law Adviser Asif Nazrul must brief the media directly on what concrete steps have been taken. He cautioned that issuing statements through officials such as the Additional Inspector General of Police, rather than appearing in person, would be deemed unacceptable and could trigger a stronger political response.

Beyond arrests, Inquilab Mancha has demanded the establishment of a dedicated judicial tribunal and the completion of trial proceedings within 20 to 30 working days. The group has also proposed seeking assistance from internationally reputed investigative agencies, comparable in capacity to the FBI or Scotland Yard’s Criminal Investigation Department, to ensure transparency and credibility.

At a separate press conference held at Shahbagh around noon, Al Jaber accused the government of failing to treat the earlier ultimatum with due seriousness. He criticised what he described as inconsistencies in official statements, noting that authorities have alternately claimed the suspects fled abroad and that they remain within the country. According to him, the intelligence agencies’ performance so far has been ineffective, forcing protest organisers themselves to identify potential suspects—raising questions about the role and accountability of state intelligence bodies.

Inquilab Mancha leaders further alleged that individuals loyal to the former ruling party had infiltrated civil and military intelligence institutions, obstructing justice. They demanded that the Home Affairs Adviser disclose the names of those allegedly impeding the investigation before stepping down from office.

The platform has stressed that it does not seek extrajudicial measures, insisting instead on open trials conducted under the law. It has also urged the government to pursue diplomatic channels should suspects be found to have crossed into neighbouring countries. Protests, leaders warned, will continue on the streets until all perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

Key Demands and Deadlines

The organisation concluded by reiterating that Osman Hadi’s lifelong advocacy for freedom and sovereignty obliges citizens, in their view, to ensure justice is neither delayed nor denied.