Hadi murder suspect Faisal gets 10-yr jail term in arms case

Faisal Karim Masud, alias Rahul aka Daud, the prime suspect in the murder case of Inquilab Mancha convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison under the arms law.

Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka Mahmudul Mohsin delivered the verdict on Thursday.

The court's Bench Assistant Ismail Hossain said an arrest warrant has been issued along with the sentence as Faisal is currently a fugitive.

Faisal was recently arrested in India.

The case stems from a weapons recovery operation in the capital's Adabor following the fall of the Awami League government.

According to case documents, members of Rapid Action Battalion-2 raided a flat in Baitul Aman Housing Society on Nov 7, 2024, where Faisal was caught while attempting to flee.

A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of a foreign-made pistol and four rounds of ammunition.

The following day, RAB Havildar (paramilitary sergeant) Mashiur Rahman filed a case under the Arms Act at Adabor Police Station.

The case dossier describes Faisal as a known armed criminal, extortionist and drug dealer in the area, alleging he has long led organised operations involving extortion, killing, assault and land grabbing, while keeping illegal firearms to carry out these crimes.

The case was investigated and a chargesheet submitted against Faisal on Mar 28, 2025 by Adabor police Sub-Inspector Zahid Hasan.

During the trial, the court heard testimony from 13 of 14 witnesses.

Until Nov 17 last year, Faisal had been out on bail in this case. On Dec 12, following the shooting of prospective Dhaka-8 candidate Osman Hadi near the Bijoynagar water tank, Faisal's name emerged in connection with the killing.