United News of Bangladesh

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed left the Secretariat around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday after being held for nearly six hours by non-cadre service staff. He was escorted out with police assistance. The mostly non-cadre service employees had confined Dr. Ahmed in his office on the fourth floor of Building 11 from 2:30 p.m., insisting on a 20 percent “Secretariat Allowance” for all staff employed there. Before releasing him, a specialized police unit entered the office and attempted to disperse the staff using bamboo sticks, leading to scuffles between the protesters and police. Staff members raised slogans against the authorities during the confrontation. Ministry of Finance sources said a government notification regarding the Secretariat allowance for employees will be issued on Thursday. One of the protesters confirmed that they left the office after receiving assurance that the notification would be issued by 3pm on Thursday. The protest began around 2:30 pm, led by Badiul Kabir, president of a section of the Secretariat Employees’ Association. Protesters remained outside the adviser’s office, chanting slogans and demanding the allowance, insisting they would not leave until the Gazette notification was issued. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed around the adviser’s office and on the lower floors of Building 11 during the standoff, with some officers moving to the fourth floor after evening.

The body of a Bangladeshi man, who went missing after illegally crossing into India, was recovered from a river in West Bengal on Wednesday. The deceased, Tasir Ali, 31, son of Ibrahim Haque from Bakher Ali Westpara in Char Bagdanga Union of Chapainawabganj Sadar, went missing three days ago while crossing the border at night with several others for suspected smuggling purposes. While the group managed to escape after being chased by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), Tasir Ali did not return. On Wednesday afternoon, locals spotted a body floating in the Bhagirathi River near Baijitpur in Gangipur, Malda district, about seven kilometers inside India, and informed the authorities. Indian police recovered the body and took it to the Gangipur Subdivision Hospital. Lt. Col. Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, commander of the 53rd BGB Battalion in Chapainawabganj, said Tasir Ali had been missing for three days. His family informed the BGB that the Indian police had recovered the body. The exact cause of death remains unknown, and the matter has been reported to the BSF. The handover of the body to Bangladeshi authorities will be conducted through formal diplomatic channels after discussions between the two border forces.

Police have arrested five people, including a police sub-inspector, a TV journalist and a Krishak League leader, over a major gold robbery on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Gajaria upazila of Munshiganj. Police also recovered about 95 bhori gold, Tk 13.5 lakh, a microbus, police uniforms, handcuffs and a walkie-talkie. Superintendent of Police Md Menhajul Alam said, “The robbery took place on December 7. Two gold traders were travelling by bus from Dhaka to Chattogram when robbers wearing police uniforms stopped them. The robbers handcuffed them, took them off the bus and forced them into a microbus.” The victims were beaten, and the gang looted 145 bhori gold ornaments, two mobile phones, cash, two ATM cards and a national ID card. A bhori (11.664 grams) of 22-carat gold is currently priced at over Tk 2.1 lakh in Bangladesh, making the robbery worth nearly Tk 3 crore. The traders were later left tied up in Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur. Using technology, the Munshiganj DB police identified the suspects and arrested five of them from Tuesday to Wednesday. Police first arrested the microbus driver Zakir Hossain from Dhaka’s Kafrul and recovered 10 bhori gold and Tk 7 lakh from him. Soon after, Sub-Inspector Akhtaruzzaman Munshi was arrested from the third floor of the same building. Police recovered 43 bhori gold, handcuffs, a walkie-talkie and three sets of police uniforms from him. Based on their information, police arrested another suspect, Romjan, from Mirpur–Shah Ali area and recovered 20 bhori gold, a gold-measuring scale, an ID card and Tk 5 lakh. Another suspect named Romjan Ali, was arrested from Harirampur in Manikganj with 13 bhori gold and Tk 1.5 lakh. According to police, one member of the gang had already sold part of the stolen gold to Islam Jewellers in Mirpur. The shop owner, Ismail Hossain, has also been arrested. SI Akhtaruzzaman is a member of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Special Branch, Romjan works as a reporter for the private television channel ‘My TV’, and another Romjan Ali is a leader of Bangladesh Krishak League in Manikganj. The Superintendent of Police further said, “Police are trying to arrest one more fugitive suspect and are continuing efforts to recover the rest of the stolen gold.”

Hospital police at Jashore Sadar Hospital detained a man carrying a gun and a knife on Thursday evening. The arrested individual, Rasel Munshi, 40, is the son of the late Sabur Munshi from Senhati village in Dighalia Upazila of Khulna district. Police said Rasel was wandering aimlessly in the corridors on the third floor of the hospital after 7pm, carrying a shopping bag. Noticing his unusual behavior, on-duty police brought him to the hospital’s police box for questioning. Upon searching his bag, officers recovered a 3-3 rifle cartridge, a sharp knife, two steel hooks, and three sewing needles. The matter was immediately reported to Kotwali police station. Inspector (Investigation) Kazi Babul of Kotwali Police Station said the inquiry is ongoing to determine why Rasel was carrying these items inside the hospital, whether he had any criminal intent, or if he was planning any sabotage.

After more than 10 hours, rescuers were yet to rescue two-year-old Sajid, who fell into a deep well in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi. Fire Service teams are continuing the rescue operation with three units deployed to the site. As of 11:30pm Wednesday, the child had not been retrieved. Fire Service officials said local attempts to rescue the boy may have caused soil to collapse on him, making it impossible to spot him even with cameras. So far, soil has been removed up to a depth of 25 feet. Earlier around 1pm, Sajid fell about 30–35 feet into the open entrance of a well while walking behind his mother on their way home in the Koelhat village of the upazila. Rescue operations began at 1.45pm after locals informed the Fire Service. Sajid’s mother, Runa Khatun, said she was taking her elder son Sajid by the hand across a field near their home while carrying her younger child. “Suddenly, Sajid called out ‘Ma, Ma.’ When I turned, I saw him fall into a hole covered with straw. He slipped further down before anyone could reach him,” she said. Didarul Alam, Assistant Director of the Rajshahi Fire Service, said they arrived at 2.30pm and observed that soil had already been disturbed by local rescue attempts. Until 4pm, some responses could be heard from Sajid, but later the child’s cries could no longer be detected due to commotion at the site. Oxygen is being supplied into the well to support the child. Local administration and political leaders have inspected the rescue operation, describing the incident as extremely tragic. Officials noted that warning signs or barriers should have been placed near the deep well to prevent such accidents.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday filed a case against 16 individuals including Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, two of his sons — Sadat Sobhan, Managing Director of Bashundhara Import and Export Ltd, and Safiat Sobhan, Director of the same company - on charges of embezzling Tk 600 crore from National Bank. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain briefed reporters about the development on Wednesday. The case was lodged at the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, by ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam as the complainant. According to the ACC list, the other accused are National Bank directors Monowara Sikder, Parveen Haque Sikder, Moazzem Hossain, Rick Haque Sikder, Ron Haque Sikder, Md Anwar Hossain and AKM Enamul Haque Shamim; the bank’s Credit Risk Management Division Vice President Hasina Sultana; Senior Executive Vice President and Manager Arif Md Shahidul Haque; Senior Assistant Vice President and Credit In-Charge Anisul Haque; Senior Assistant Vice President Sultana Parvin; Senior Assistant Vice President Subal Chandra Roy and Vice President Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Mithu. They have been charged under Sections 420/409/109 of the Penal Code, Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. According to the case statement, the accused “violated banking rules and approved and disbursed” Tk 600 crore in funded loans and Tk 750 crore in non-funded facilities — a total of Tk 1,350 crore — in favour of Bashundhara Import & Export Ltd without fulfilling loan conditions. The ACC alleges that the accused later embezzled the Tk 600 crore in funded loans through collusion by not returning the money. To “conceal the illegal source, location and ownership” of the embezzled funds, salaries and benefits of employees of East West Property Development Pvt Ltd were paid from the Bashundhara Branch of Social Islami Bank, which is linked to the Bashundhara Group. Another portion of the funds was allegedly transferred to the accounts of Rongdhonu Builders and other entities to adjust loans, withdraw cash, and facilitate transfer, conversion and layering of the money. The case cites the period of the alleged crime as between 2018 and 2024. Following the mass uprising that ousted the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, state agencies intensified probes into alleged corruption and irregularities involving major business groups close to the former regime. As part of this, the ACC has been investigating allegations against the Bashundhara chairman and his wife and sons, including “tax evasion, land grabbing, loan embezzlement, fund transfers, and money laundering and were also summoned for questioning.

Commemorating Human Rights Day 2025, the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division (LPAD), Ministry of Law, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, organised a discussion on the state of play and way forward in Dhaka on Wednesday. Senior government officials, development partners, civil society leaders, and human rights advocates gathered to reaffirm the country’s commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights. The commemoration also showcased renewed momentum behind institutional reforms, including the long-awaited reform of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through the Ordinance 2025, a milestone effort to better align with international human rights standards. The event featured a univocal call for the swift appointment of the NHRC commissioners. Delivering special remarks, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul noted, “With strengthened institutions, legal reforms, and committed partnerships, we are ensuring that every citizen’s dignity, freedom, and access to justice are protected. True progress comes when laws are implemented effectively, and together, we can build a Bangladesh where justice has no fear, dignity has no price, and human rights have no enemy.” Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted, “We have begun the journey from the darkest days of human rights violations toward meaningful progress, a process that demands time, dedication, and strong leadership.” Adilur Rahman Khan (TBD), Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, stressed, “I commend the Ministry of Law for implementing human rights–centered reforms in such a short time. True progress is measured by laws that serve the people and a state that stands united with its citizens. Our hope for future governments is that Bangladesh becomes a genuinely people-centered and democratic country.” Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment, Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasised, “Our reform support has aimed to bring Bangladesh’s institutional and legal frameworks into closer alignment with international standards. Central to this effort is the new Ordinance reforming the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The UN and UNDP remain steadfast in our commitment to walk with Bangladesh on this journey — from painful lessons to a future of hope, where rights are both declared, and delivered.” Alberto Giovanetti, Counsellor and Head of Political, Economic and Communications Affairs at the Embassy of Switzerland, noted, “Switzerland commends the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, civil society and other stakeholders for their work in advancing a consultative and evidence-based process to strengthen inclusive reforms like the NHRC Ordinance 2025. Our commitment is to help ensure that these reforms translate into real protection, justice and dignity for all citizens.” Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary, LAPD, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, Chair of the Commission of Enforced Disappearance, Ben Buckland, Senior Advisor, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Professor Dr. Muhammad Ekramul Haque, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka, Rani Yan Yan, Indigenous Human Rights Defender, Shireen Pervin Huq, Founding Member, Naripokkho were among many who attended the event. The programme also featured expert sessions on operationalising the NHRC Ordinance, preventing torture, improving access to remedies, and strengthening civil society engagement. UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh in building strong, accountable, and people-centred institutions that uphold the fundamental rights of all.

A young member of the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed labour wing was hacked to death in Rajshahi city on Wednesday evening, police said. The victim, Shanto, 26, son of Md Hasnat of Alimganj Purba Para, was a worker of the Kashiadanga thana unit of the Shramik Kalyan Federation. The attack took place around 6:30pm in the Alimganj Purba Para area, said Abdul Malek, officer-in-charge of Rajpara Police Station. Shanto was stabbed indiscriminately in what police believe was a fallout of previous enmity. Critically wounded, Shanto was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital by local residents, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. Shankar K. Biswas, the hospital’s spokesperson, confirmed that Shanto had suffered multiple stab injuries and had died before reaching the facility. His body has been kept in the morgue for autopsy. OC Abdul Malek stated that police are investigating the incident, although no formal complaint has yet been filed. After completing the post-mortem and legal procedures, the body will be handed over to the family. The murder sparked tension in the surrounding area, prompting authorities to deploy additional police to ensure security and maintain public order.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun has been appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a Member of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). CPD congratulated her on this achievement and looks forward to supporting her work in this significant international role. The 15-member global Panel, comprising experts who will serve in their personal capacities, will play a central role in guiding the future development and application of the MVI, the civil society think tank said on Wednesday. MVI will work alongside the MVI Secretariat and the UN Statistical Commission to ensure the Index remains methodologically sound, relevant and effective for global policy processes. Under UN General Assembly Resolution 78/322, the Panel is mandated to review the MVI every three years, recommend methodological improvements, and monitor developing countries’ progress in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience. It will also consider issues raised by the UN Statistical Commission and the General Assembly and reviews lessons learned from the application of the #MVI across the UN system. Dr Fahmida’s appointment is an important recognition of Bangladesh’s contribution to global development discourse, CPD said. She will serve on the Panel in her personal capacity, contributing to its technical and policy-facing work to strengthen the continued relevance, robustness and accessibility of the MVI. Dr Fahmida is also a member of the High-level Advisory Board on Productive Capacities Index of the UNCTAD; a Board Member of BRAC and a Board Director of the Bangladesh Bank.

At the initiative of BCCCI President Mohd. Khorshed Alam, a joint business delegation representing the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) paid a courtesy call on Golam Rasul, Chief of the Special Branch (SB), at the SB Head Office in Dhaka on Wednesday. During the meeting, the SB Chief extended a warm welcome to the delegation members and engaged in a constructive discussion on several important issues affecting Chinese businessmen operating in Bangladesh. He addressed matters related to visa processing, SB security clearance, work permit formalities, and other administrative procedures. Golam Rasul informed the delegation that significant progress has already been made in simplifying these services and ensuring faster responses. He emphasized the government's strong commitment to facilitating foreign investment and assured that the Special Branch is continuously working to streamline its operational processes. The SB chief proposed organizing regular coordination meetings between SB officials and business representatives from BCCCI and CEAB to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. This collaborative platform is expected to help identify challenges early and ensure smoother business operations across the country. The Presidents of both BCCCI and CEAB expressed their sincere gratitude to the SB Chief for his proactive measures and visionary initiatives. BCCCI, CEAB seek joint action plan to boost Bangladesh–China trade They stated that such coordinated efforts will greatly improve the overall investment environment for Chinese entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. They also expressed confidence that issues related to work permits, visas, security clearances, and associated administrative formalities will be resolved more effectively through this structured approach. Secretary General of BCCCI Jamilur Rahman, Senior Vice President Hanjing Chao, Executive Director Md Abu Taher and Senior members of CEAB were also present.