Did Bangladesh Send Osman Hadi Murder Suspect Abroad Amid Domestic Pressure? Doubts Remain | Exclusive

Last Updated:December 31, 2025, 14:27 IST

Sources say Faisal Karim Masud's movement would not have been possible without the clearance of senior officials, including Directorate General of Bangladesh Immigration

Faisal Karim Masud (left) is one of the key accused in the murder of Osman Hadi (right). (News18)

Indian intelligence agencies have raised serious questions over Bangladesh’s handling of Faisal Karim Masud, a notified individual and key accused in the Osman Hadi murder case, alleging that he was moved out of the country by Bangladeshi authorities themselves in what New Delhi views as a deliberate narrative shift to deflect domestic pressure and dilute the investigation, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18.

According to sources, Masud’s movement out of Bangladesh would not have been possible without the knowledge and clearance of senior officials, including the Directorate General of the Bangladesh Immigration and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). “He is a notified person. Such an exit cannot happen quietly or without institutional approval," a senior source said.

A video purportedly showing Masud claiming to be in Dubai has been circulating publicly. However, Indian agencies note that the video was recorded against a neutral background and lacks any forensic validation. Intelligence officials believe the video may have been recorded prior to his departure and was released strategically to signal that the suspect is now outside Bangladesh’s jurisdiction.

“This appears designed to remove pressure from Dhaka and to control public anger by suggesting the suspect is beyond reach," a source said, adding that the Dubai narrative surfaced only after public scrutiny intensified inside Bangladesh.

Indian agencies have also flagged inconsistencies in Bangladesh’s claim that Masud is currently in Dubai. Despite close counter-terror and intelligence coordination between the two countries, Dhaka has not shared flight manifests, passenger name records (PNR), or transit data related to Masud’s alleged travel—information routinely exchanged in high-priority cases. “This silence suggests the intent was to move him quietly," an intelligence official said.

Bangladesh had initially briefed Indian agencies that Masud had crossed into India via the Meghalaya border with the alleged assistance of Indian handlers. However, within 48 hours, Dhaka revised its position, advancing the Dubai narrative and releasing the video.

From New Delhi’s perspective, this sudden shift is being seen as narrative management rather than evidence-based investigation. “This is not how credible cross-border investigations are conducted," a source said. “The problem has been externalised to reduce domestic scrutiny."

Indian officials also maintain that the circulating video cannot be accepted as legal proof in the absence of forensic verification and independent confirmation of Masud’s location.

“This is a classic case of moving the issue outside national jurisdiction," a senior intelligence source said, warning that such actions risk undermining trust in regional security cooperation.

The developments come despite India and Bangladesh maintaining robust counter-terror coordination mechanisms, with Indian agencies stressing that transparency is critical to sustaining mutual confidence in sensitive criminal and security-related cases.

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