Who is Faisal Karim Daud, Suspect in the Osman Hadi Shooting?

Gunmen severely wounded political candidate Osman Hadi on Friday. The attack occurred around noon in the capital’s Purana Paltan area. Hadi is the convener of the Inqilab Moncho and a prospective candidate for the Dhaka–8 constituency. The shooting happened just one day after the election schedule was announced. An assailant on a motorcycle shot Hadi and quickly fled. Inqilab Moncho has confirmed that Hadi remains in critical condition at Evercare Hospital.

Police Identify Suspect: Faisal Karim Daud Khan
Police quickly identified the alleged shooter. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) analyzed CCTV footage. Faisal Karim Daud Khan is the primary suspect. Police released his photo and asked the public for any information. Furthermore, the Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, announced a substantial reward. Anyone who helps capture the suspect will receive 5 million taka.

Political Ties and Controversy
Prothom Alo investigations have revealed deep political and personal ties. Khan was involved in the politics of the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League (now banned). For example, he became a member of the Chhatra League’s full central committee on May 11, 2019.

Sources confirmed Khan was active during the July 2024 mass uprising. He was on the ground alongside Awami League leaders to suppress protesters. Moreover, photos show Khan with high-profile leaders, including former President Md. Abdul Hamid.

Suspect’s Connection to Victim
Khan also had connections to the victim. Multiple recent photos show Faisal Karim with Osman Hadi. They were together at various places, including the Inqilab Cultural Center, which Hadi founded. This resemblance to the person who carried out the shooting has fueled speculation. Therefore, many believe Khan had been closely following Osman Hadi for some time.

Shocking Criminal Background and Bail
The most alarming discovery concerns Khan’s recent criminal history. Specifically, Khan was the main accused in a major armed robbery. This incident occurred on October 28, 2024, in Adabar, Dhaka, and involved the theft of 1.7 million taka.

RAB arrested Khan on November 7, 2024. At the time of his arrest, police recovered two foreign pistols, two magazines, and five bullets from him.

However, the High Court granted Khan bail on February 16, 2025. This was only 3 months and 8 days after his arrest. He later applied for an extension, and the High Court approved a fresh one-year bail on August 12. Khan is now accused of shooting Osman Hadi while out on bail. Consequently, questions about the swiftness of his bail for a case involving firearms are sparking wide discussion and criticism.