Bangladesh: Suspect Accused of Helping Key Fugitive in Osman Hadi Murder Case Arrested in India
Bangladesh: A man accused of helping the main suspects in the killing of activist Sharif Osman Hadi escape from Bangladesh has been arrested in India, according to diplomatic sources.
The suspect, identified as Philip Sangma, was detained near Shantipur in Nadia district of West Bengal on Saturday. Authorities in the Indian state have officially informed the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata about the arrest.
According to a statement from the West Bengal Police, the arrest was carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) after acting on intelligence information. During preliminary questioning, Sangma reportedly admitted that he helped two suspects—Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain—cross into India through the Meghalaya border to evade arrest in Bangladesh.
Police said Sangma later entered India illegally himself to avoid detention.
Following his arrest, Sangma was presented before a court and has been placed in police custody for further interrogation.
Earlier Arrests of Main Suspects
Earlier this month, Indian authorities arrested the main suspect Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Hossain in Bongaon, a border area of West Bengal close to Bangladesh.
Investigators believe the pair fled Bangladesh shortly after the shooting by crossing the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh with the assistance of smugglers.
Background of the Murder Case
Osman Hadi, convener of the protest platform Inqilab Mancha, was shot on December 12 last year in Dhaka’s Paltan area shortly after Friday prayers. Gunmen opened fire on him while he was travelling in a rickshaw and then escaped on a motorcycle.
He was initially taken to Singapore for treatment but died six days later from his injuries.
Bangladeshi police later identified Faisal Karim Masud, a former leader linked to a banned student organization, and his associate Alamgir Hossain as the main suspects in the attack.
Authorities say the suspects were assisted by local intermediaries who helped them cross the border illegally.
Ongoing Investigation
With Sangma’s detention, three individuals linked to the case have now been arrested in India. Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have begun procedures to bring the detained suspects back to Bangladesh.
So far, 12 people have been arrested inside Bangladesh in connection with the murder case. Two other suspects, including alleged organizer Taizul Islam Chowdhury, remain at large.
A charge sheet naming 17 accused was submitted to a court in January, but further investigation was later ordered. The case is currently being handled by the Criminal Investigation Department Bangladesh.
