Arrests in India of Suspects in Hadi Killing

India’s West Bengal Police Special Task Force has arrested two individuals, including the alleged principal offender in the high‑profile murder of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi. The detentions mark a significant development in the transnational dimensions of the case, which had reverberated across both Bangladesh and parts of neighbouring India.

According to official statements and coverage by Indian news agency ANI, Faisal Karim Masud — identified as the chief suspect — and his purported associate, Alamgir Hossain, were taken into custody late on Saturday (7 March) in the Bongaon area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, close to the India–Bangladesh border. The arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that both men had entered India illegally following the alleged commission of serious crimes, including murder and extortion in Bangladesh.

Authorities believe the pair had been attempting to shelter near the border with the intention of eventually returning to Bangladesh. Acting on this information, the Special Task Force conducted a targeted late‑night operation in the Bongaon vicinity that resulted in their detention.

After being presented before a court on Sunday (8 March), both suspects were remanded to police custody for further investigation, according to the STF. A formal case has been registered in connection with their arrest.

Background: Osman Hadi’s Killing

The incident at the centre of the investigation occurred in December 2025, when Sharif Osman bin Hadi — a prominent political figure and spokesperson for the movement Inqilab Moncho — was shot during a campaign event in Dhaka. He sustained critical injuries and was subsequently flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, but succumbed to his wounds on 18 December 2025. His death sparked widespread unrest and political controversy in Bangladesh.

Prior to these latest arrests, Bangladeshi authorities, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, had been probing the case and seeking information on possible cross‑border movements by suspects. There had been uncertainty regarding whether the principal offenders had indeed fled the country, with police previously stating they had no confirmed evidence of such movement until now.

The latest developments may facilitate further cooperation between Indian and Bangladeshi law enforcement as investigations proceed and legal processes continue.