A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 53 bank accounts holding Tk 6,550,246 belonging to Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, along with accounts in the names of his related individuals and entities.

The court also directed that the frozen money be confiscated in favour of the state.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Fayez passed the order on Wednesday following a petition filed by CID Sub-Inspector Md Abdul Latif seeking the freezing of the accounts.

According to the petition, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting a probe into money laundering allegations against Faisal Karim Masud and others linked to him in connection with the fatal shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi. During the investigation, analysis of bank transactions of Masud and his associated individuals and organisations revealed highly suspicious financial activities.

The preliminary inquiry found indications of involvement of Faisal Karim Masud and his related persons and entities in murder, terrorism, financing of terrorist activities, and organised crime, which constitute offences under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. The petition stated that confiscation of the assets is essential, as there is a high risk of the funds being siphoned off before disposal of the case.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused after completing the investigation into the Hadi murder case. At a press briefing, DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam said Faisal Karim Masud carried out the shooting with the involvement of Awami League ward councillor Taijul Islam Bappi.

He added that the murder was planned because Hadi had been vocal in speaking against the Awami League.

So far, those arrested in the case include Faisal’s father Md Humayun Kabir and mother Mosammat Hasi Begum, his wife Saheda Parvin Samia, girlfriend Maria Akter Lima, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Sipu, private car rental businessman Mufti Md Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Ujjal, associate Md Kabir, individuals who helped him flee towards India—Sibyoon Diu and Sanjay Chisim—Aminul Islam Raju, and Faisal himself.

Hadi was critically injured after being shot by Faisal on December 12 at noon. He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he underwent surgery, and later shifted to Evercare Hospital at the family’s request. On December 15, he was flown to Singapore by air ambulance for advanced treatment and was admitted to Singapore General Hospital, where he died at around 9:30 pm on December 18.

His body was brought back to Bangladesh on the night of December 19. Following an autopsy on December 20, Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.