The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has sought consular access to the prime suspect and his alleged accomplice in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
According to sources, the Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police arrested Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, and Alamgir Hossain on Friday night from Bongaon, a district close to the Benapole border. The two suspects are believed to have crossed into India shortly after the killing.
Following the arrest, the Bangladesh mission in Kolkata formally requested the Indian authorities to grant consular access to the detainees.
Diplomatic sources said the mission expects the access to be arranged by next week, noting that such requests generally take three to seven working days to process under standard procedures.
A source at the Bangladesh mission said the suspects were produced before a court in West Bengal after their arrest. The Indian authorities subsequently sought police remand for further interrogation, which the court granted.
Another official familiar with the development said the suspects have also been charged under India’s Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, for entering the country without proper documentation. If found guilty under the law, they could face a prison sentence ranging from six months to two years.
Diplomatic observers noted that the arrest has opened the possibility of further legal cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi in investigating the murder case.
A former diplomat familiar with the Indian legal and administrative system said Bangladesh may consider invoking the bilateral extradition treaty to bring the suspects back to face trial.
“Since a murder case has already been filed in Bangladesh, Dhaka can formally request New Delhi to extradite the suspects so that they can stand trial in Bangladesh,” he said.
Officials in Dhaka are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with the Bangladesh mission in Kolkata regarding the legal proceedings and the possibility of extradition.
Authorities believe the consular access will allow Bangladeshi officials to verify the identities of the suspects, understand the circumstances of their arrest and facilitate further coordination with Indian a
Meanwhile, News agency ANI and West Bengal-based outlet “Ei Samay” reported on Sunday that the West Bengal Police Special Task Force arrested Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, and Alamgir Hossain.
According to sources, the two suspects had fled across the border to hide in India following the high-profile assassination in Dhaka on 12 December last year. The West Bengal Police have described the arrests as a significant breakthrough, noting that the murder of Hadi had triggered widespread instability across Bangladesh.
The breakthrough follows a recent visit to India by the newly appointed Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). During the visit, the DGFI chief reportedly pressed Indian authorities to apprehend and repatriate all terrorists, including those implicated in the Hadi murder case.
In response to these intelligence leads, Indian authorities successfully tracked down and detained the two fugitives today.
Hadi was shot on 12 December at Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka.
He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later to Evercare Hospital, and eventually flown to Singapore. Hadi died on the night of 18 December while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.
Following the incident, Jaber filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on 14 December, which was later converted into a murder case.
Following the assassination, six other suspects were arrested and later gave confessional statements before the court.
Officials said preparations are under way to bring Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain back to Bangladesh through formal legal procedures to face trial.
