Hadi Murder Case: Chargesheet Alleges ‘Political Vengeance’ by Awami League Student Wing

'Political vengeance': Chargesheet names 17 in Hadi murder case; link it to Hasina's party

The streets of Dhaka are still echoing with grief and anger over the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi—and now, a formal police investigation has pointed the finger directly at Bangladesh’s ruling establishment. In a groundbreaking 120-page chargesheet filed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), authorities have accused 17 individuals of murdering Hadi in what they describe as a premeditated act of “political vengeance” linked to the Awami League and its powerful student wing, the Chhatra League .

Hadi, a charismatic 24-year-old activist and leader of the anti-discrimination student movement, was shot multiple times on a busy Dhaka street in December 2025 during a wave of mass protests against job quotas and educational inequality. He succumbed to his injuries days later, becoming a martyr for a generation demanding accountability. Now, the Hadi murder case has evolved from a tragic crime into a high-stakes political reckoning—one that tests the limits of justice in a country where student politics and party power are dangerously entwined.

Table of Contents

Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi?

Osman Hadi wasn’t just another student—he was a symbol. As a leading voice in Bangladesh’s 2025 anti-quota protests, he mobilized thousands of young people against a decades-old job reservation system that favored descendants of freedom fighters. His speeches, organized rallies, and calm demeanor earned him respect across party lines .

But his growing influence also made him a target. Sources close to the movement allege that Hadi had recently exposed financial irregularities involving local Chhatra League leaders, sparking threats in the weeks before his assassination.

Hadi Murder Case: The Chargesheet Revelations

The DMP’s chargesheet, submitted to a Dhaka court on January 5, 2026, is unusually explicit in assigning motive and hierarchy. Key findings include:

  • 17 accused named, including two local Chhatra League leaders and a former Awami League youth wing organizer.
  • Murder planned 10 days in advance, with the accused allegedly holding strategy meetings at a party office.
  • Mobile tower data and CCTV footage place suspects near the crime scene at the time of the shooting.
  • Witness statements describe hearing the attackers shout slogans like “Teach him a lesson for challenging us!”

Critically, the document states: “The killing was not random but an act of political vengeance to silence dissent” .

The Role of Chhatra League and Awami League

The Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), founded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself, has long been the student arm of the Awami League. But in recent years, it has gained notoriety for campus violence, extortion, and intimidation of rival student groups.

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly flagged the BCL as a “de facto enforcement wing” of the ruling party . In the Hadi murder case, investigators allege that local BCL leaders viewed Hadi’s protest movement as a direct threat to their control over university politics—and acted to eliminate it.

While the Awami League’s central leadership has denied involvement, calling the accusations “baseless,” opposition parties demand the resignation of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who oversees law enforcement.

‘Political Vengeance’: What Does It Mean Here?

“Political vengeance” is a legally significant phrase in Bangladesh. It implies that the crime was motivated not by personal enmity but by a desire to punish someone for their political stance or activism. Such cases often fall under Sections 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Penal Code—and can carry the death penalty.

In Hadi’s case, the label underscores a chilling trend: the weaponization of violence to suppress student-led democratic movements. As one Dhaka University professor noted anonymously, “When student leaders are killed for speaking out, it’s not just a murder—it’s an attack on the future of democracy.”

Public and International Reaction

The chargesheet has triggered massive protests across Bangladesh. University students have launched a “Justice for Hadi” campaign, while civil society groups demand an independent judicial probe.

Internationally, the U.S. State Department expressed “deep concern,” urging Bangladeshi authorities to “ensure a transparent and impartial trial.” The European Union echoed similar sentiments, warning that political killings undermine democratic stability .

Bangladesh’s Campus Violence Crisis

This isn’t an isolated incident. Bangladesh has a long history of student-political violence:

  • 2018: Student protests against road safety met with BCL-led attacks.
  • 2022: Two opposition student activists killed in separate incidents.
  • 2024: Over 30 campus clashes reported between BCL and rival groups.

The pattern reveals a systemic issue: student wings operate with impunity, often shielded by political patronage. [INTERNAL_LINK:bangladesh-youth-politics-explained] delves deeper into this ecosystem.

The 17 accused will now face trial in a Dhaka sessions court. Given the UAPA-like severity of “political vengeance” charges, bail is unlikely. However, legal experts caution that convictions in politically sensitive cases in Bangladesh remain rare due to witness intimidation and procedural delays.

Nonetheless, the filing of this chargesheet—naming ruling party affiliates so explicitly—is itself a rare act of institutional courage.

Conclusion: A Test for Bangladesh’s Democracy

The Hadi murder case is more than a criminal trial—it’s a referendum on whether Bangladesh can hold its own powerful to account. If justice is delivered, it could mark a turning point in curbing political impunity. If not, it risks normalizing state-tolerated violence against dissenting voices. For a nation that fought for independence on principles of justice and equality, the stakes could not be higher.

Sources

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