Key suspect Faisal’s ‘associate’ Rubel to be interrogated for six days over Hadi murder

A Dhaka court has granted police six days to interrogate Faisal Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Faisal Karim Masud—the prime suspect in the murder of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order on Thursday, confirmed Sub-Inspector Rokonuzzaman.

Rubel, 33, was arrested on Wednesday night in Ati Noyabazar in South Keraniganj, in a joint operation by the Criminal Investigation Department and Detective Branch, according to police.

CID Assistant Police Superintendent Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan had sought to question Rubel in police custody for 10 days.

Rubel defended himself at the hearing, as he was not represented by a lawyer.

He claimed innocence and that he was not even involved in politics. He said he had a conversation with Faisal just for three minutes three months before the murder of Hadi.

Hadi, convenor of the Inqilab Moncho and a prospective candidate, rose to prominence during the July Uprising and the movement to ban the Awami League.

On Dec 12, while campaigning in Bijoynagar, he was shot by attackers on a motorcycle.

Gravely wounded, Hadi was air-ambulanced to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on Dec 18.

Inqilab Moncho’s member secretary filed the case over Hadi’s murder.

On Jan 6, police submitted the chargesheet in the murder case accusing 17 suspects, including former Chaatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud. Faisal and four others are on the run.

Police said Hadi’s murder was politically motivated. The murder was meant to disrupt the parliamentary polls and create fear among voters ahead of the polls.

Inqilab Moncho is not happy with the investigation carried out by the DB.

The court asked the CID to reinvestigate the killing. The CID investigation report is expected to be submitted on Jan 25.