Paid Osman Hadi '5 Lakh Taka To Lobby Yunus Govt': Suspected Killer Says In New Video

Dhaka: Faisal Karim Masud, a man named by Bangladeshi authorities as the prime suspect in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, has released a new video and said he once gave Hadi '5 lakh taka'. According to him, the money was meant for lobbying the interim government of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on business matters, not for illegal activity.

He insisted that he never crossed into India, rejecting earlier police suggestions about his escape route.

The second video, which was posted within 24 hours of sharing the first, has triggered sharp reactions in Dhaka's political and law enforcement circles. Police say they are verifying the authenticity of the claims while continuing efforts to track Masud down.

What does the new video show?

In the clip, Masud speaks directly to the camera, appearing calm and composed. He alleges that money was paid to influence decision-making within the Yunus-led administration through Osman Hadi. He does not provide documents or proof but insists the payments were real and known to “more people than admitted.”

Masud said in the video message that he did not kill Hadi and has no connection to the attack. "I have not in any way, initially or later, been involved. This is completely false," he said.

Masud, who described himself as a software engineer and businessman, said his IT venture suffered losses following the student-led uprising in July last year that overthrew Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024.

He also said that he approached Osman Hadi seeking help in securing government-linked work and IT contracts.

"After I spoke to him, he assured me that I would get the job. He also wanted five lakh taka, so I gave him the money," Masud said, further explaining that the payment was meant for lobbying in the offices of the interim Muhammad Yunus interim regime.

In his earlier message, he claimed that Osman Hadi was killed by members of Jamaat Shibir and accused "Jamatis" of being behind the attack. In the video, he said that his links with Hadi were business related. He admitted to making political donations to Hadi, but described these as part of business dealings, not criminal activity.

"I did not kill Hadi. Me and my family are being implicated. I have come to Dubai to save myself from the witch hunt. Hadi is a product of Jamat. Jamatis may have been behind it. Yes, I met Hadi for professional reasons as I own an IT firm. I made political donations to him. He promised to get me government contracts," he said in the video message that surfaced on Tuesday.

Where does Bangladesh stand?

The killing of Hadi, a prominent youth leader in Bangladesh, triggered widespread protests across the country. The case has become a major political flashpoint ahead of the general elections scheduled for February.

Is there evidence Masud fled to India or Dubai?

On Sunday, Bangladesh police had claimed that Faisal Karim Masud and another suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, had fled to India, though Indian authorities, including the Border Security Force and Meghalaya Police, have denied any such border crossing or arrests. They dismissed the claims of cross-border movement as unsubstantiated.

BSF chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General O P Opadhyay, said, "There is no evidence to suggest that any individual crossed the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. The BSF has neither detected nor received any report of such an incident."

Who was Osman Hadi and what happened?

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent youth leader and spokesman for the political group Inqilab Moncho. He was shot in Dhaka on December 12 while campaigning for the upcoming national elections. He later died of his injuries in Singapore.

His death has triggered protests in Bangladesh and intensified political tensions ahead of the elections. Supporters have demanded swift arrests and a full accounting of those responsible.