Sharif Osman Hadi's death brings wave of violence in Bangladesh, prime suspect's parents jailed - What we know so far
Born in 1994 in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokhati district, Hadi came from a Muslim family and was known for his radical views and strong anti-India stance
TOPSHOT - A man walks through the burnt office of The Daily Star newspaper in Dhaka on December 19, 2025, amid protests following the news of the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence broke out in Bangladesh's capital early on December 19 after a youth leader of the country's 2024 pro-democracy uprising who was injured in an assassination attempt died in a hospital in Singapore. Several buildings in the capital, including those housing the country's two leading newspapers, were set on fire, according to authorities, with staff trapped inside. (Photo by Abdul Goni / AFP)(AFP)
Dhaka is once again witnessing violence after Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of Bangladesh's student uprising last year, was shot by unidentified assailants in the nation's capital last week and later succumbed to his injuries in Singapore.
“Despite the best efforts of the doctors from SGH and the National Neuroscience Institute, Mr Hadi succumbed to his injuries on 18 December 2025,” read a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Singapore.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Hadi had emerged as a key figure in the student uprising in Bangladesh last year – which ultimately led to the ousting of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was a senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Moncho. Widely described as an outspoken critic of India as per multiple reports, Hadi was a “frontline” fighter of the July uprising.
Born in 1994 in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokhati district, Hadi came from a Muslim family and was known for his radical views and strong anti-India stance.
How was Sharif Osman Hadi shot?
Hadi's campaign for the upcoming Bangladesh elections was in full swing when he was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen on 12 December. The attack took place on Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Paltan area, near a mosque, while he was travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw.
Hadi was wounded in the ear and was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. From Evercare Hospital, the Yunus-led administration airlifted the Inquilab Moncho leader to Singapore for treatment on Saturday, after doctors in Bangladesh said his condition was extremely critical.
Late on Thursday, 18 December, the Foreign Ministry in Singapore said Hadi succumbed to his injuries from the assassination attempt.
Who are the suspects?
Earlier, parents of prime suspect in Hadi's assassination attempt – Faisal Karim Masud – were sent to jail after they recorded their statements in the case filed over the attack.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam recorded the statements of Humayun Kabir, 70, and his wife Hasi Begum, 60, after police produced them before the court, a court official said. Following the recording, the magistrate ordered that they be sent to jail, reported Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star.
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Dhaka (Bangladesh), Dec 19 (ANI): The residence of former Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being vandalised as unrest erupts following the death of Osman Hadi, a key leader of the protests against Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka on Friday. (ANI Video Grab)(ANI Video Grab )
As unrest tore through Bangladesh following Hadi's death, Inqilab Moncho urged the public to avoid violence, vandalism, and arson that have erupted across the country. During the unrest, the offices of two media houses—The Daily Star and Prothom Alo—were set on fire.
In a late-night Facebook post on Thursday, Inquilab Moncho said: "Through destruction and fire, certain groups aim to render Bangladesh an ineffective state. They seek to undermine the independence and sovereignty of our country. You must understand -- 32 and 36 are not the same."
The post continued, "As the February elections approach, consider who truly benefits if unrest is created in the country. To maintain stability in Bangladesh, fully cooperate with the government and refrain from violence."
