Indian Officials Deny Bangladesh Police Allegations: The Mystery of Hadi’s Killers and the Meghalaya Border

​A new diplomatic and security tension has surfaced between India and Bangladesh. At the center of this storm is the murder of a prominent Bangladeshi activist named Sharif Osman Hadi. While the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) claims that the primary suspects have escaped into Indian territory through the Meghalaya border, Indian security agencies have come forward with a firm denial. These conflicting reports have sparked a major debate about border security and the current state of relations between the two neighbors.

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Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?

​Before diving into the border controversy, it is important to understand why this case is such a high-priority matter for Bangladesh. Sharif Osman Hadi was a 32-year-old spokesperson for a radical group called Inqilab Mancha. He rose to significant prominence during the July-August 2024 student-led mass protests that eventually led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.

​Hadi was seen as a powerful youth leader and was even preparing to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2025. On December 12, while he was out on an election campaign in Dhaka, he was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His death sparked massive protests in Dhaka, putting immense pressure on the interim government to catch those responsible.

​The Allegations from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police

​On Sunday, December 28, 2024, a senior officer from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police held a press conference that sent shockwaves through the region. Additional Commissioner S.N. Md Nazrul Islam claimed that two primary suspects in the murder—identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Md Alamgir Sheikh—had successfully fled Bangladesh.

​According to the DMP, these men crossed into the Indian state of Meghalaya via the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh. The Bangladeshi police even provided specific details, claiming the suspects were helped by local associates in India. They named an individual called Purti who supposedly received them at the border and a taxi driver named Sami who allegedly transported them to Tura city in Meghalaya. The DMP officer also hinted that Indian authorities had already detained these two helpers, though this information was based on "informal reports."

​Indian Security Forces Reject the Claims

​The response from the Indian side was swift and direct. The Border Security Force (BSF), which is responsible for guarding the international border, described the allegations as "unfounded and misleading." Inspector General O.P. Upadhyay, the head of the BSF Meghalaya Frontier, stated clearly that there is no evidence to suggest any such crossing took place in the Haluaghat sector.

​The BSF emphasized that they have not detected any illegal movement nor received any formal reports of an intrusion in that area. Indian officials noted that the border is under constant, high-level surveillance, especially given the recent volatility and unrest in Bangladesh. They maintained that any attempt by fugitives to cross over would have been caught by the personnel deployed along the stretch.

​Meghalaya Police: "No Arrests Made"

​In addition to the BSF’s denial, the Meghalaya state police have also dismissed the narrative provided by the Dhaka authorities. A senior police officer in Meghalaya clarified that there is absolutely no intelligence to support the presence of these suspects in the Garo Hills region.

​Addressing the specific claim that two local associates—Purti and Sami—had been detained, the state police were very clear: no such arrests or detentions have occurred. The Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) mentioned that the local units had not detected any suspicious movements and that there has been no formal communication from the Bangladesh police regarding this specific lead. This has led some Indian officials to suggest that the narrative might have been constructed without proper verification or coordination.

​The Stakes for India-Bangladesh Relations

​This disagreement happens at a very sensitive time for India and Bangladesh. Following the fall of the previous government in August, the relationship between the two countries has been under considerable strain. The interim government in Dhaka has been vocal about its demands, including the potential extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India.

​When high-profile criminal cases like the murder of Osman Hadi involve claims of suspects hiding in a neighboring country, it adds another layer of complexity to the diplomatic ties. If one side claims suspects have crossed over and the other side denies it, it can lead to a breakdown in trust between the security agencies of both nations. India has reiterated that it is committed to maintaining a secure border and cooperating on criminal matters, but only based on verified facts and official channels.

​Why is the Haluaghat Sector Significant?

​The Haluaghat border area, where the suspects supposedly crossed, is part of a rugged terrain that separates the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh from the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya. This region has historically been a challenge for border management due to its hills and dense vegetation.

​However, over the years, India has heavily increased its fencing and electronic surveillance in these sectors. For two high-profile fugitives to cross unnoticed, find local transport, and reach a major city like Tura without being flagged is something the BSF considers highly unlikely. The Indian forces have been on a "high state of alert" for months, making the Bangladeshi claim even harder to reconcile with the ground reality described by the BSF.

​A Waiting Game for Justice

​In Bangladesh, the investigation into Hadi's death is moving toward a conclusion. The DMP has already arrested 11 people in connection with the case and expects to submit a formal charge sheet within the next week. The interim government's Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has also taken a personal interest in the case, calling for national prayers and ensuring the suspects are brought to justice.

​For the families and supporters of Osman Hadi, the priority is finding the killers, regardless of where they are hiding. For the Indian and Bangladeshi governments, the challenge is to move past conflicting public statements and use formal diplomatic channels to share evidence. Without concrete proof—such as CCTV footage, mobile tracking, or formal eyewitness accounts shared through official routes—this border mystery is likely to remain a point of contention.

​Conclusion: The Need for Verified Coordination

​The case of Osman Hadi’s murder is a tragic reminder of the political instability currently facing the region. While Bangladesh is eager to close the case and satisfy a grieving public, making unverified claims about suspects fleeing into a neighbor's territory can backfire and complicate the very justice they seek.

​For now, the stance of the Indian officials remains unchanged: the killers are not in Meghalaya, and no arrests of "local associates" have been made. Until both countries can align their intelligence and communicate through proper legal frameworks, the search for the truth behind the December 12 shooting will continue to be a source of tension between Dhaka and New Delhi. The security of the border depends on more than just fences; it depends on the accuracy of the information shared between the two sides.