Post-mortem under way for slain activist Hadi at Suhrawardy Hospital

Once the procedure is completed, the body will be taken to Parliament's South Plaza for funeral prayers

A post-mortem examination is being carried out on the body of slain political activist Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital ahead of his burial.

The Inqilab Moncho convenor's body was taken to the hospital's morgue shortly before 10am on Saturday from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, according to Deputy Commissioner Ibne Mizan of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Tejgaon Division.

"The post-mortem is under way and security measures have been put in place," he said.

Once the procedure is completed, the body will be taken to the South Plaza of the Parliament complex, where funeral prayers are scheduled to be held at 2pm, he added.

The Chief Advisor’s Office has asked those attending the funeral not to carry bags or heavy items. Dhaka Metropolitan Police said traffic will be suspended from Khejur Bagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue because of the expected large turnout.

Hadi’s coffin arrived in Dhaka from Singapore on Friday and was taken directly to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases’ morgue.

In a statement on social media, Inqilab Moncho said that in accordance with the family’s wishes, Hadi would be buried beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Saturday is being observed as a day of state mourning following Hadi’s death, with national flags flown at half-mast at government offices and special prayers held at places of worship.

Hadi, who had announced plans to run as an independent for the Dhaka-8 seat in the upcoming election, was shot at close range on Dec 12 while travelling by rickshaw in the capital's Bijoynagar area. Police said two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to a private hospital in the capital, where he was treated in intensive care. On Dec 15, he was flown by air ambulance to Singapore for advanced treatment, but died there on Thursday.

His death has sparked protests and unrest across the country, prompting heightened security measures in the capital, including the deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel.