The shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi was part of a broader conspiracy to disrupt the upcoming national election, create division among political parties, and undermine candidates' morale, according to a case filed with Paltan Police Station in this regard.

Filed by Inqilab Moncho's Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber on Sunday night, the case blames Awami League leaders for sabotage, crude bomb attacks, arson, arms supply, spreading rumours online, and intimidation, through direct and indirect instigation, instructions, and patronage, since August 2024 with the aim of obstructing the February polls.

As part of the plan, Hadi, an independent aspirant for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, was shot on December 12 (Friday), and is now fighting for his life. The 33-year-old was flown to Singapore yesterday for advanced treatment.

The case named Faisal Karim Masud alias Rahul alias Daud, 37, as the prime accused for opening fire on Hadi, along with several other unnamed accused.

It alleged the attack was premeditated and executed by the accused and his unnamed associates, facilitators, and financiers -- both directly and indirectly -- following instructions from "others".

The case statement said that Hadi played an active role in the July 2024 uprising and later helped form the political-cultural platform "Inqilab Moncho". It added that he had continued to make critical statements against the Awami League and demanded its ban over allegations of crimes against humanity.

Because of this, Hadi became a target of hostility and received multiple threats, particularly after videos of his speeches and rallies spread on social media, it said.

Following the Election Commission's announcement of the election schedule on December 11, Hadi had intensified his campaign activities as an independent aspirant for Dhaka-8.

The case further alleged that fugitive AL leaders and activists at various levels, led by Sheikh Hasina, have been involved in open and covert conspiracies since August 5, 2024 -- when the Hasina-led AL government was ousted.

It added that Faisal had infiltrated Hadi's election campaign several days before the attack and was present with him on the day of the shooting.

The case, which was handed over to the Detective Branch yesterday, further said Hadi's family members and political associates are now feeling insecure, while leaders and activists of other political parties intending to contest the election are living in fear following the incident.

Meanwhile, a court placed three arrestees in the case -- Faisal's wife Saheda Parvin Samia, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, and friend Maria Akter Lima -- on a five-day remand each.

With no lawyer representing them, they yesterday told the court that they were unaware of the attack on Hadi.

SURVEILLANCE OF SUSPECTS

Law enforcement agencies have yet to arrest the prime suspect Faisal and one of his associates, Alamgir Sheikh, amid reports that they may have fled to India.

They suspect Alamgir was driving the motorbike from which Faisal opened fire on Hadi. Another person has been identified through a photograph, but his name has not yet been ascertained.

According to DB sources, Faisal and Alamgir may have fled early Saturday via Haluaghat border points in Mymensingh. Investigators are also trying to trace the firearms used in the shooting.

A DB source, seeking anonymity, said a private car had been kept ready since the morning in the Paltan area on the day of the incident -- for the assailants to escape in case of any trouble.

"Police are looking for the driver of the rented car, as the suspects hired it beforehand. Investigators are also trying to find out if the driver was aware of the plan."

Law enforcers also said Faisal's wife sent Tk 10,000 and Tk 30,000 separately to the driver's phone number after the incident.

Meanwhile, Border Guard Bangladesh detained two associates of Philip Snal, who is suspected of assisting the attackers flee to India, from Sherpur's Nalitabari border area.

However, our Mymensingh Correspondent reports that BGB Sector Commander Colonel Sarkar Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman yesterday told a press briefing, "We are not sure whether the attacker fled to India through the Mymensingh border or not. We are still working on this.

"We are working with all our resources to arrest Philip. If he is caught, many things will be clear, including whether he helped in smuggling the attackers or not."

Colonel Mostafiz added that law enforcement agencies are considering both possibilities -- that the attackers have fled or are still hiding in the country.

HADI AIRLIFTED TO SINGAPORE

Following an emergency government decision on Sunday, critically injured Hadi was flown to Singapore by air ambulance yesterday.

Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser, at a press briefing after the air ambulance's departure around noon, said the government communicated with Singapore General Hospital via teleconference before the transfer.

"Apart from his bullet-hit brain, his kidneys, heart, and lungs can, so far, be considered controllable. These are being roughly managed through various medicines and oxygen.

"We only ask for prayers for him. I can say this much: if Allah wills, Hadi may return with a certain degree of recovery."