The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has detected more than Tk127 crore in suspicious financial transactions in bank accounts linked to the prime suspect and his associates in the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency.

The findings have prompted the CID to initiate a money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, said a press release.

According to CID sources, the unusual transactions were identified after reviewing and analysing information received from various law enforcement agencies and intelligence bodies.

Following the preliminary assessment, the CID began a formal probe into possible money laundering activities connected to the case.

Osman Hadi was shot in the head on 12 December at Box Culvert Road in the capital’s Purana Paltan area.

Shortly after the incident, the CID launched a shadow investigation, deploying its crime scene unit, collecting CCTV footage, recovering bullet casings used by the assailant, and sending seized evidence for forensic examination.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the sensational murder, the CID expanded its inquiry to include financial records obtained from multiple sources.

The prime accused, Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan alias Rahul, remains at large.

However, law enforcement agencies have arrested several of his associates, including family members, on charges of concealing evidence and assisting the suspect in evading arrest.

During arrest operations, investigators recovered cheque books from several banks, which were subsequently analysed by the CID.

The review found multiple cheque records in the names of the accused and related individuals and entities, involving various amounts.

Although these transactions were not finalised, the combined value of the cheque records is estimated at around Tk 218 crore.

CID’s preliminary analysis further revealed that more than Tk 127 crore in abnormal transactions took place through bank accounts associated with the accused and related persons or organisations.

Investigators suspect the funds may be linked to money laundering, organised crime, and the financing of terrorist activities.

In response, the CID has opened a separate money laundering investigation.

The CID is also taking legal steps to seize approximately Tk65 lakh currently held in the bank accounts of the accused and related entities in favour of the state.

Efforts are underway to identify the original sources of the funds, while multiple CID teams are investigating whether an organised and powerful network was involved in planning the murder, financing the crime, and supplying weapons.

The CID said its investigation and operations will continue in coordination with other agencies to arrest the mastermind and uncover the entire criminal network behind the killing.