Bangladesh: Osman Hadi’s brother blames Yunus government for killing, says murder aimed at stopping elections

The brother of slain Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi has held the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government responsible for the killing, saying the administration cannot avoid accountability as the murder took place under its watch. The killing has triggered political accusations, protests in Dhaka, and assurances from the government that the case will be fast-tracked, according to reports by bdnews24 and the Daily Star.

Family holds Yunus government responsible

Sharif Omar bin Hadi, the brother of the slain leader, said the interim government must take responsibility for the murder and will eventually face trial for failing to protect him. Speaking to bdnews24, he said, “the interim government cannot avoid responsibility” for the killing.

Omar Hadi said that because the murder happened while the current administration held state power, it cannot escape liability and must stand trial, whether now or even a decade later. He also claimed that after the killing, efforts were being made to disrupt the general elections, reported bdnews24.

Murder being used to ‘sabotage’ elections

Omar Hadi further accused authorities of trying to use the murder to “sabotage” the election process, a move he said would not succeed. He added that Osman Hadi had insisted on holding elections in February and had been preparing for them on the ground, but his killing was meant to derail that process.

The accusations from the Hadi family follow similar claims made by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has also blamed the interim government for the rise in violence.

Sheikh Hasina blames lawlessness under interim rule

In an interview with ANI, Sheikh Hasina said the killing reflected the breakdown of law and order under the current interim administration.

“This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm. India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus’ Bangladesh,” she said.

Bangladesh protests and ultimatum in Dhaka

Meanwhile, Inqilab Moncho held a protest rally on Tuesday at Shahbagh in Dhaka over the killing of Osman Hadi. Earlier, the group had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding justice for those responsible.

The organisation has demanded that the killers of its convenor be brought to justice before Bangladesh’s 13th national election and the planned referendum.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the murder case of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, will be taken up by the Speedy Trial Tribunal to ensure timely justice, according to the Daily Star.

In a Facebook post, Nazrul said the trial will be conducted under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002. He added that under Section 10 of the law, the trial must be completed within 90 days of the police submitting their investigation report.

(Inputs from ANI)