Govt to ‘propose’ UN-led probe into Hadi murder

The interim government has decided to propose the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) take charge of the inquiry into the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, slain convenor of Inqilab Moncho.

The announcement comes amid ongoing demonstrations by the Inqilab Moncho activists calling for the UN-led investigation into Hadi’s death.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Thursday night, "The government has already decided to propose that the OHCHR investigate the case at the earliest opportunity.

"The interim government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring full justice in this case and will extend all possible cooperation to such an investigation."

At the time Shafiqul announced this decision late at night, members of Inqilab Moncho were staging a sit-in outside the State Guest House Jamuna, demanding justice for Hadi’s murder.

Also Read: Inqilab Moncho urges people to 'besiege Jamuna'

Around 7pm on Thursday, several members of the organisation bypassed police cordons and marched towards Jamuna.

They called for a swift and impartial investigation into the killing during the demonstration.

In response, additional police units have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

Hadi, who rose to prominence during the July Uprising and the movement to ban the Awami League, was a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8 in the elections.

On Dec 12, he was shot by assailants on a moving motorcycle in Bijoynagar while campaigning, and later airlifted to Singapore, where he died on Dec 18.

Following his shooting, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempted murder case on Dec 14, later upgraded under Section 302.

The investigation, handled by the Detective Branch of police, identified 17 suspects, including former ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappy and former Bangladesh Chhatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud.

Five of the suspects, including Faisal, remain at large.