In a significant reversal, the Bangladeshi government has walked back its earlier claim that the alleged killers of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi had escaped into India. This somersault comes days after the initial accusation further strained the already tense diplomatic relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Conflicting Statements Create Confusion
On Saturday, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated that authorities cannot confirm with 100% certainty the current location of the suspects. This directly contradicts the December 28 statement made by Dhaka Metropolitan Police additional commissioner S N Md Nazrul Islam. The police official had asserted that the two primary suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into the Indian state of Meghalaya with local help.
"At least the home ministry has not yet confirmed to me that the individuals involved are staying at any specific location," Hossain told reporters in Munshiganj. He explained that while there are indications from interrogations suggesting a border crossing, a specific location has not been identified. "If we can identify a very specific location, then we can inform India that the suspects are in a particular place so that they can be arrested and handed over to us," he added.
Video Emergence and Diplomatic Fallout
The situation became more complicated on Wednesday when a video surfaced online. In it, suspect Faisal Karim Masud denied the murder charges and refuted the claim that he was hiding in India. Masud claimed he was forced to leave Bangladesh for Dubai due to the false implication, despite holding a valid visa.
The original police claim had poured fuel on an already volatile situation. Relations between India and Bangladesh had deteriorated following large-scale anti-India protests and mob violence after Osman's death on December 18. The accusation also revived conspiracy theories suggesting Indian involvement in the killing, which had initially subsided after the victim's brother, Omar, accused a section within the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of orchestrating the attack to derail the February 12 national election.
Trial Process and Ongoing Communication
Addressing the demand for a swift trial by Osman's party, Inqilab Moncho, which issued a 30-day ultimatum, Hossain stated there is no scope for rushing the judicial process. "Trial is a matter where there is no room for haste," he emphasized. He confirmed that a decision has been made to issue a chargesheet, calling it the initial step under the police's responsibility.
Regarding the cross-border aspect, Hossain noted that communication with Indian authorities is being maintained. "This is how communication with India is being maintained. Let’s see how much progress we can make in this regard," he said. The backtracking leaves the manhunt for Osman's alleged killers in a state of uncertainty, while the diplomatic channels between the two neighboring nations continue to navigate this sensitive case.
