Prime accused Faisal sentenced to 10 years in arms case

A Dhaka court on Thursday sentenced Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, to ten years’ imprisonment in a case filed under the Arms Act with Adabor police station.

The verdict was delivered by Dhaka’s 18th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mahmudul Mohsin, who also issued an arrest warrant against Faisal, as he remains absconding, court Bench Assistant Ismail Hossain confirmed.

The court had previously scheduled Thursday for the verdict after concluding arguments. During the trial, testimonies were recorded from 13 of the 14 listed witnesses.

According to the case statement, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel raided a flat in Adabor’s Baitul Aman Housing Society on 7 November 2024, detaining Faisal Karim. Authorities recovered a foreign-made pistol and four rounds of ammunition from his residence during a subsequent search. A case under the Arms Act was filed the following day, with Sub-Inspector Zahid Hasan submitting the charge sheet on 28 March last year.

Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Moncho, was shot in Dhaka on 12 December 2024. During the investigation, Faisal Karim’s name surfaced as a suspect. Detectives reported that Faisal and an associate, Alamgir, were on the motorcycle used in the shooting. Faisal is currently in detention in India.