A man previously arrested in connection with a robbery and illegal arms possession case has been identified as one of the assailants in the December 12 shooting of Inquilab Mancha convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi in central Dhaka, according to emerging evidence and video footage circulating on social media.
Hadi was shot by two motorcycle-borne attackers while travelling on a rickshaw along Culvert Road in the Purana Paltan area on December 12 afternoon, a day after the Bangladesh Election Commission announced February 12, 2026, as the date for the next general election. He sustained a gunshot wound to the back of the head and remains in critical condition at Evercare Hospital.
The accused shooter has been identified as Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan. He was reportedly arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on November 24 in connection with a robbery at a Dhaka school, during which Tk 17 lakh was allegedly looted, and for possession of illegal firearms.
However, several inconsistencies surrounding Daud’s arrest, apparent release, and subsequent involvement in the December 12 attack have raised serious questions. Photographs and video clips show Daud attending gatherings with Hadi and other Inquilab Mancha supporters prior to the shooting, suggesting that the accused may have had direct access to the victim.
CCTV footage and still images from the day of the attack have also prompted speculation about a wider conspiracy. Conflicting claims have emerged over Daud’s political affiliations, with some social media accounts alleging links to the Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, while others deny any such association.
Concerns have further deepened after a social media influencer based abroad circulated documents and claims related to the case less than 12 hours after the shooting, despite the assailants not being formally apprehended at that time. This has led to questions about how sensitive investigation materials were accessed and whether any state agencies were involved in disseminating information prematurely.
Key unanswered questions include how Daud obtained bail so quickly after his November arrest, how he acquired a firearm within weeks, who accompanied him on the motorcycle during the attack, and whether law enforcement conducted adequate follow-up investigations after his earlier detention.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi, an independent candidate intending to contest the Dhaka-8 constituency, heads the recently formed Inquilab Mancha. His political background and rapid rise following August 2024 have also drawn scrutiny amid an increasingly volatile pre-election environment.
As of now, Bangladeshi authorities have not issued a detailed public explanation addressing the apparent gaps in the investigation. The incident has intensified concerns over political violence, security failures, and the misuse of narratives ahead of the upcoming national election.
