United News of Bangladesh

The government has exempted Bangladesh Railway from the requirement to submit proof of income tax return filing, citing its status as a state-owned and non-taxable entity. According to an official order, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) granted the exemption under the authority of Section 264(4) of the Income Tax Act 2023. The order states that Bangladesh Railway, being a government institution and not a taxable entity, will no longer be required to present proof of submission of return (PSR). Officials said the decision aims to ease administrative procedures for the state-run organisation, which falls outside the scope of taxable bodies under current law.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, along with other Election Commissioners, went to the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday afternoon to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. An election commissioner confirmed the development, saying the meeting is part of the EC’s ongoing engagements ahead of the national election. They left Nirbachan Bhaban around 4pm to meet the Chief Adviser ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming general election and referendum. The CEC is accompanied by four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Saker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah as well as EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Earlier, the election commission sat in a marathon meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban to discuss the election and referendum. Jamaat holds meeting with CA at Jamuna as tensions cool down After the meeting, Sanaullah said the schedule for the election and the referendum will be announced any day this week. The 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Reform Charter) will be held simultaneously in a single day in February next.  

A Dhaka court on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to provide the investigation report on January 13 in the case filed over the death of actor Salman Shah in 1996. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel passed the order. Mohammad Alamgir Kumkum, maternal uncle of actor Salman filed a case against 11 people with Ramna Police Station on October 20. Later, Judge of Additional Metropolitan Session Judge court-6 Jannatul Ibne Haque accepted the revision petition and asked to file a murder case. The accused were identified as Salman’s wife Samira Haque, her mother Latifa Haque Lucy, business person Aziz Mohammad Bhai, Don, Devid, Zaved, Faruk, Rubi, Abdus Sattar, Saju and Rizvi Ahmed alias Farhad. The court also asked the immigration to take steps as the accused of the case could not flee from the country. According to the case statement, Salman Shah was found dead at his flat in Easkaton of the capital on September 6, 1996. Later, Father of Salman Shah Kamaruddin Chowdhury, filed an unnatural death case. On July 24, 1997, a petition was filed stating that Salman Shah was murdered. The court later asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the issue. On November 3, 1997, CID gave its final report saying Salman Shah committed suicide. Later, rejecting the CID’s claim, Kamaruddin Chowdhury filed a revision case in this regard. Following that, the court sent the case to the Judicial Department for further investigation. On May 19, 2003, the court sent the case to the judicial department for investigation. On August 3, 2014, Metropolitan Magistrate Emdadul Haque submitted the judicial statement in the case terming it a suicidal case. On February 10, 2015, Nila Chowdhury, mother of Salman filed a naraji petition in this regard. Finally, the case was shifted to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). On February 25, 2020, PBI Inspector Sirajul Islam submitted the investigation report before the court. On October 31, 2021, the court disposed of the case after accepting the case. On June 12, 2022, a revision case was filed with the Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge saying Salman Shah was murdered.

Farmers on Sunday blocked a road in Naldanga upazila of Natore district demanding fertilizer ahead of boro season. A number of farmers went to the shop of Shyam Sundar Agarwal, a fertilizer dealer at Naldanga intersection around 10 am to collect fertilizer. As they did not get fertilizer there, they staged a demonstration in front of upazila Agriculture Office. They also blocked roads at upazila headquarters point, demanding fertilizer. The farmers also demanded removal of the Upazila Agriculture Officer Kishoar Hossain. On information, Naldanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) AL Emran Khan rushed to the spot and assured them of taking steps in this regard. Later, the farmers withdrew their road blockade programme around 11:30 am. The UNO said that although fertilizer has reached the dealer points, an investigation is underway to determine why farmers are still unable to obtain it. Shyam Sundar Agarwal’s manager, Bokul Das, said they have not been able to collect the full allotment of fertilizer. However, due to high demand from farmers—and because many are trying to collect fertilizer for both the ongoing Rabi season and the upcoming Boro season at the same time—additional pressure has been created. All fertilizer will be sold to farmers as per the allotted supply, he said.    

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened an inquiry into allegations that former President Abdul Hamid abused his authority to facilitate a Tk 24 crore beautification project around his private residence in the capital’s Nikunja-1. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development to the media on Sunday. “ACC never considers a person’s status when conducting an inquiry or investigation,” he said.  Hamid would become only the second former President in Bangladesh’s history to face an ACC investigation over corruption charges—the first being Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who was convicted and jailed for graft. According to ACC officials, the allegations involve the misuse of office to carry out high-cost development, decoration and landscaping work surrounding Hamid’s three-storey duplex on Lake Drive Road, Plot-6, Nikunja-1. The facilities reportedly include a specially designed walkway, a decorative deck and suspension-style bridge, modern lamp posts, and renovations to the adjoining canal—amenities investigators believe were executed primarily for Hamid’s personal convenience. While these beautification features were not part of any approved project, the canal renovation was carried out under a broader RAJUK development plan linked to the Purbachal New Town initiative. More than Tk 24 crore of public funds was ultimately spent, according to ACC sources. Emphasising procedural neutrality, DG Akhtar Hossain said the ACC evaluates complaints based on evidence, not on the identity or position of the accused. “We look at the objectivity and relevance of the allegations. If the complaint has merit, the Commission can open an inquiry against anyone.” Hamid shifted to the Nikunja residence in April 2023 after completing over a decade as President. The area remained heavily secured during his stay, with restrictions on public movement. Following political changes on August 5, 2024, he reportedly vacated the property, which now stands abandoned. Background of the propertyAccording to RAJUK documents, Hamid applied for the plot in Nikunja-1 under the MP quota after being elected to Parliament in 1996. He was allocated a three-katha plot on October 5, 1997, which he registered for Tk 4.5 lakh. RAJUK approved the building design in 2011. Sources say several influential figures from the former ruling Awami League—including ministers, MPs, bureaucrats and business associates—own upscale homes in the Nikunja neighbourhood. Many of them are currently reported to be absconding. Notable names tied to properties in the area include former whip Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, Sheikh Hasina’s relative Mohammad Hossain Serniabat, ex-press secretary Naeemul Islam Khan, journalist and former adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former Chhatra League president Bahadur Bepari, and Sweden Awami League leader Kazi Shah Alam, among others. Historical precedentThe only other instance of a former President facing similar action occurred on April 14, 1991, when Hussain Muhammad Ershad was charged with abuse of power under the Prevention of Corruption Act. His conviction in 2000 resulted in a seven-year sentence, later reduced to five years by the High Court, along with a Tk 55 crore fine. The judgment set an important legal precedent and disqualified him from contesting the 2001 national election. As the ACC inquiry gets underway, the allegations against Abdul Hamid mark a rare case of a former head of state coming under scrutiny for suspected misuse of public funds. Further steps will depend on the findings of the investigation team.team    

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the upcoming national election and referendum any day this week. The decision was taken in the Commission meeting held on Sunday with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. “The election schedule will be declared any day this week,” said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah while briefing reporters after the meeting. Replying to a question, he said, “This week means the second week of December from 8-15 December.” The 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Reform Charter) will be held simultaneously in a single day in early February 2026. White ballot papers will be used for the national election, while pink ballot papers for the referendum. There are some 12.76 crore voters under 42,761 in the country's 300 constituencies. About the meeting, Sanaullah said the major agenda for the meeting include the discussion on pre-and post-schedule activities in line with electoral laws and tradition. He said there are some traditions among the pre-schedule activities like the commission’s meeting with the President and telecasting the speech of the Chief Election Commissioners by Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar. pre-schedule activities have already been completed,” said the Election Commissioner.Raising the election preparation, he said the voter lists have been finalised, while the commission has taken decisions over the lists of presiding officers, assistant pressing officers and polling officers. The officials from the government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous institutions as well as government banks will be in the lists of presiding officers, assistant pressing officers and polling officers, while officials from the private banks will be kept in the reserve lists. we’re not considering the staff of the private banks in the lists. Rather they will be kept reserved. They will not be engaged except when it is badly necessary,” said Sanaullah.Ballot Paper Reaching Time He said the commission has decided to send the electoral materials including ballot papers to the polling stations the night before the balloting day. “The election materials including ballot papers will reach the polling stations the previous night,” Sanaullah said. In the wake of allegations of balloting-stuffing at the previous night during the 9th general election held in 2018, the commission, headed by Kazi Habibul Awal, sent the ballot papers to the polling stations in the morning, hours before the inception of the balloting in the 2024 general election. Since this time the national election and referendum will be held simultaneously in a single day, the EC will set up two marking (secret stamping corners) places in each booth of the polling stations if there is enough space, while increasing the number of booths in other polling stations, he said. The Commission has decided to extend the balloting period by one hour. The balling will start at 7:30am and continue till 4:30pm as every voter will need to cast two votes –one for an MP candidate and another for the referendum, he continued. About the IT-supported postal balloting system, Sanaullah said there will be two types of postal ballots – one for expatriate Bangladeshi voters and another for the government officials who will be on duty outside their voting areas, the election conducting officials, members of law enforcement agencies including armed forces as well as the people who will be in legal custody (like jails). He said the commission will start printing the postal ballots for the out-of-country voting on Monday. The registration of expatriate voters to vote in the next election through the postal ballots will continue till December 25. As of 7:38pm on Sunday, a total of 232,886 expatriates registered their names in the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app with the highest registered 55,216 Bangladeshis from Saudi Arabia. In case of In-Country Postal Voting (ICPV), the registration will continue for 15 days starting after the announcement of the election schedule. To ensure maintaining of the electoral code, he said two magistrates will be in each upazila or thana after the announcement of election schedule and then the number of magistrates would go high for five days – three days before the balloting, the voting day and the day after the election. About the deployment of security men, Sanaullah said the election commission will issue a circular next week over the deployment of law and order agencies and the Home Ministry will chalk out detailed deployment plans in line with that circular. He said there will be a center monitoring cell in the EC Secretariat with representatives from all forces. The cell will have capacity to handle misinformation and disinformation. Replying to a question whether any member of the council of advisers can contest the election without resigning from the post, the Election Commissioner said, “You will see it in time. It is probably not possible.” In reply to a question whether the Jatiya Party and some other registered political parties who are components of Awami League-led 14-party alliance will be able to participate in the next election, Sanaullah said, “Our position is that those who are permitted by law will participate in the elections.”

Bangladesh’s general point-to-point inflation rate rose slightly to 8.29 %in November 2025 from 8.17 % in October, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The modest increase in overall inflation was primarily driven by a rise in food prices. Read more: Bangladesh economy shows external stability despite internal challenges: Report Food inflation edged up to 7.36 % in November from 7.08 % in October. In contrast, non-food inflation eased marginally to 9.08 %in November from 9.13 %  in the previous month. The BBS data also indicated a slight uptick in inflation in both rural and urban areas during the month. Read more: Rice biggest driver of October’s food inflation in Bangladesh: GED

Graduates of recognised Qawmi Madrasah holding the Dawra-e-Hadith degree will be eligible to serve as marriage registrars (Qazi) from now on, said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul. He shared the information in a post on his verified Facebook account on Sunday (December 07, 2025). He wrote previously this opportunity was limited to those holding Alim certificates. Read more: No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser The Ministry of Law has amended the law to extend the eligibility to recognised Qawmi Madrasah graduates. Earlier, on August 5, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain had sent a letter urging the Law Adviser to prioritise granting marriage registrar licenses to Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders.

International Rescue Committee (IRC) Bangladesh and the Department of Social Services (DSS) on Sunday signed a Strategic Partnership Memorandum (SPM) in Cox’s Bazar, aiming to strengthen child protection initiatives and expand collaborative support for vulnerable communities in the district. Senior government officials, development partners and humanitarian actors working in the Rohingya and host community response were present at the signing ceremony held at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar, said a press release. IRC Bangladesh Country Director Hasina Rahman said, “This three-year partnership is guided by principles, forged through collaboration: equality, complementarity, solidarity and result orientation. Together we will ensure that every child in Bangladesh is safe, protected and able to thrive. Together we will create spaces where children are free from violence and can grow with dignity and hope.” Samuel Komakech, IRC Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator, presented an overview of the organization’s country programme, focusing on integrated protection services and community-based support mechanisms. A key session led by Harun Ur Rashid, Child Protection Officer, DSS outlined a collaborative action plan for a child participation strategy, emphasising the need for meaningful engagement of children in decision-making processes. Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and chief guest at the ceremony, praised the partnership as a timely step toward enhancing service delivery and ensuring long-term protection for children in crisis contexts. “Through this collaboration, we wish to ensure that each child has access to their constitutional rights and are protected and nurtured for a future that’s as bright as it is secured,” he added. Md Saidur Rahman Khan, director general of DSS; Samir Mallik, director of DSS; Muhammad Minhazur Rahman, Chattogram divisional director of DSS and Md Golam Mostafa, director of ISO project under DSS; alongside representatives from IRC Bangladesh and partner organisation attended the event. The day concluded with closing remarks by Rebecca Oketcho, Deputy Director of Programme, IRC, who reaffirmed IRC’s dedication to supporting national systems and strengthening community resilience.  

Mobile phone traders and employees blocked the road in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission office in Agargaon on Sunday (December 07, 2025) in protest against the government move to disable unapproved handsets. Police said the demonstration began around 10:30am when the protesters took position on the road in front of the BTRC building, halting traffic on one side of the Shyamoli–Agargaon route. Read more: BTRC to deactivate extra SIMs beyond limit from Saturday Long tailbacks were created at the Shishumela intersection, Shyamoli’s Mirpur Road and parts of Agargaon and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar due to the blockade. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam said vehicle movement from Shishumela towards Agargaon remained suspended as the traders occupied the road. Traffic on the opposite lane was moving normally, he said. One side of the road remained blocked till filing of this report at 2:20 pm. Read more: No phone purchased before Dec 16 would be blocked using NEIR: BTRC Commissioner