No Concrete Information on Whereabouts of Main Accused Faisal Karim Masud: Police

Faisal Karim’s Location Remains Unknown

Law enforcement agencies have no specific information regarding the current whereabouts of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha convener Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, said Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime & Operations) Khondker Rafiqul Islam.

He stated that authorities are yet to confirm whether Faisal Karim has crossed the country’s borders or is still hiding within Bangladesh. However, investigators are making maximum efforts to uncover his location and are collecting information from various sources related to the suspect.

The Additional IGP made the remarks at a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at the Ministry of Home Affairs Secretariat. The briefing, which began at 5:30 pm, focused on the progress of “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” and the overall law and order situation in the country.

Usually, press briefings at the Home Ministry are conducted by Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. However, neither the adviser nor Home Secretary Nasimul Gani was present at Sunday’s press conference, which drew attention.

On Saturday, Inqilab Mancha had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Home Affairs Adviser and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, demanding visible progress in arresting the killers of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The organization warned that failure to do so would result in calls for their resignation.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry’s Public Relations Office announced an emergency press conference, where representatives from the police, RAB, Detective Branch (DB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) briefed the media on the latest developments in the case.

Those present included Additional IGP Khondker Rafiqul Islam, AIG (Media and Publications) AHM Shahadat Hossain, RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam, BGB Mymensingh Sector Commander Colonel Md. Mostafizur Rahman, and DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam.

DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam said that no confirmed information is currently available regarding the prime accused’s location. Although various claims and intelligence inputs are being received, it has not been possible to verify whether Faisal Karim is in the country or has fled abroad. Regarding the motive behind the killing, he said the investigation is ongoing and no definitive conclusion has been reached yet.

So far, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators believe the killing was not due to personal reasons and may have been politically motivated.

Responding to a journalist’s question about a photograph circulating on social media allegedly showing the prime accused in a neighboring country, DB officials said they had seen the image but could not confirm whether it was posted from India.

Addressing allegations of police failure, Additional IGP Rafiqul Islam said all law enforcement agencies—including police, RAB, DB, and BGB—are working collectively and relentlessly. He noted that while suspects are sometimes apprehended quickly, certain cases require more time. Authorities, he added, are prioritizing public demand and continuing efforts to arrest the accused.

Regarding misinformation surrounding Faisal Karim, a senior police official said all rumors are being verified and legal action against those spreading false information is under serious consideration. He added that the suspect’s political affiliation is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, BGB Mymensingh Sector Commander Colonel Md. Mostafizur Rahman said one of the suspected individuals involved in the case is a known human trafficker named Philip. According to available intelligence, Philip is linked to human trafficking activities, and efforts to arrest him are ongoing using intelligence operations and advanced technology.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a key figure in the July mass uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, was campaigning as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency. On December 12, after finishing campaign activities in Motijheel, he was shot by assailants while returning home near Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18 after undergoing treatment for six days at a hospital in Singapore.

Law enforcement agencies have identified Faisal Karim Masud, a former student leader of Chhatra League, as the prime suspect in the murder. Investigators earlier stated that they believe he may have fled to India. Although his parents, wife, brother-in-law, and several relatives—10 people in total—have been detained, no concrete information regarding his whereabouts has been obtained from them so far.