United News of Bangladesh

Zakir Hossain, sub-registrar of Savar, has been withdrawn over allegations of corruption and irregularities. According to an office order issued by the Law and Justice Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, a departmental case (No. 01/2026) has been filed against him on charges of misconduct under Rule 3(b) and corruption under Rule 3(d) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Following the case, he was withdrawn from the Savar Sub-Registry Office and attached to the Office of the Registrar General under the Directorate of Registration until the case is disposed of. He was also directed to immediately hand over his current responsibilities and join his new posting. The order was signed by Hasan Mahmudul Islam, Joint Secretary (Registration) of the Law and Justice Division, and Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Sunday urged deputy commissioners (DCs) across the country to report any specific irregularities or allegations of corruption in field-level offices under the Ministry of Law to strengthen oversight and accountability. “We will address such issues specifically and have asked them to remain vigilant,” he told reporters after the fourth session on the opening day of the DC conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The session was held with the Law and Justice Division and the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. During the meeting, DCs proposed introducing a competitive examination for appointing government pleaders (GPs) and assistant government pleaders (AGPs) at the district level. Responding to the proposal, the minister said it is under consideration. “The proposed Permanent Prosecution Service is also under consideration. We are working on it,” he added. He also noted delays in processing files related to government property, stressing the need for closer monitoring to prevent such backlogs. “If there are further suggestions, we have asked them to inform us so that we can address them in the future,” he said. When asked whether a separate helpline would be introduced for reporting complaints, the minister said it was unnecessary, as the matter involves coordination between government departments. On reducing the backlog of cases, he said the DCs have been asked to provide suggestions in this regard.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested a total of 152 alleged extortionists during a special drive conducted across the capital over the 48 hours. The information was disclosed by DMP acting Commissioner Md Sarwar at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday noon. He said ensuring security, comfort and a peaceful life for city residents remains a key commitment of the police. “As part of that effort, a coordinated special drive has been intensified since May 1 targeting extortionists, drug traffickers, armed criminals and online gambling networks across the city.” According to the acting DMP chief, the operation is part of a broader security strategy aimed at improving law and order and curbing crime nationwide in line with the government’s commitments. He said law enforcement agencies are conducting targeted operations in crime-prone areas, including sudden block raids, setting up checkpoints, and increasing intelligence surveillance alongside CCTV monitoring to restrict escape routes of offenders. Sarwar said suspected persons are being punished through mobile courts after scrutinising their offences, while major offenders are being processed through regular case procedures and sent to court. He added that joint efforts involving local thana, Detective Branch, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, plainclothes officers and cyber monitoring teams are being carried out using modern technology to track criminal activities, particularly online fraud and gambling. During the 48-hour drive, police arrested 58 listed extortionists and 94 associated members based on specific intelligence. Highlighting other successes, the acting DMP chief said 80 kilograms of cannabis were recovered in a drive on Saturday, alongside arrests of active drug traffickers. In recent weeks, law enforcement has shifted focus from small drug users and petty dealers to larger consignments, recovering over 100,000 Yaba tablets, around half a kilogram of heroin, and more than 200 kilograms of cannabis in separate operations, he said. Sarwar also said investigations are underway to identify and prosecute the “godfathers” behind drug networks, with steps being taken to file cases, including money laundering, in coordination with relevant units such as Criminal Investigation Department. He reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy on illegal arms holders, saying operations against online gambling operators and digital fraud rings are ongoing. To strengthen area-based security, police have already set up two camps in Bosila and Karwan Bazar, with plans to establish more in other important locations soon, the acting DMP chief added.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested another accused in the case filed over the killing of a self-proclaimed “Pir” Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza and Jahangir, in a mob attack at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. Rajib Mistry, 32, one of the four accused named in the First Information Report (FIR), was arrested during a drive in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi around 11:00pm on Thursday, said Additional Superintendent of Police Sudipta Sarkar, Company Commander of RAB-12 Kushtia camp. Rajib Mistry is the son of Gazi Mistry of West South Philipnagar village under Philipnagar union in Daulatpur. He is the No. 3 accused in the case, officials said. He was arrested in a joint operation conducted by RAB-5 Rajshahi and RAB-12 Kushtia. Rajib Mistry was sent to jail through a court on Friday. Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station Arifur Rahman said a total of four people have so far been arrested in the case, while drives to apprehend others are continuing. Earlier, police arrested Biplob Hossain, 26, Alif Islam, 23, and Class X student Alamgir Hossain, 16, in connection with the murder. On April 11, Shamim Reza, 65, was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine known as “Shamim Baba’s Darbar Sharif” in Philipnagar union. According to locals, an old video from 2023 resurfaced, leading to allegations of blasphemy and triggering the attack. Three of his followers were also injured in the incident. Following the incident, victim’s brother Fazlur Rahman filed a case with Daulatpur Police Station on April 13 against four named individuals, including Rajib Mistry, and 180-200 unnamed ones.

A court in Joypurhat on Thursday sent seven leaders of the Awami League to jail after they surrendered in multiple cases, including murder, filed over incidents during the July student-led mass movement. The accused appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court seeking bail. However, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Milon Chandra Pal rejected their bail petitions and ordered that they be sent to jail. They were later taken to Joypurhat District Jail under tight security. The jailed leaders are Fazlur Rahman, general secretary of Kalai upazila Awami League; Abdul Kuddus Fakir, vice-president of the upazila unit and chairman of Punot Union Parishad; Rafiqul Islam, president of Jindarpur union Awami League; Ziaur Rahman, president of Kalai upazila Jubo League and chairman of Jindarpur Union Parishad; Akbar Ali, president of Ahmedabad union Awami League; Enamul Hossain Fakir, member of Kalai upazila Awami League; and former student leader Minhajur Rahman Mithun. Public Prosecutor of Joypurhat District and Sessions Judge Court Advocate Shahanur Rahman Shahin confirmed the matter.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Wednesday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to shut unregistered online news portals operating in Sylhet city in violation of the National Online Media Policy. In a public notice signed by SMP Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, it said registration is mandatory for operating online news portals under the National Online Media Policy 2017 (amended 2020). However, a number of portals have been operating in Sylhet without proper registration and publishing false, misleading and motivated reports. The notice said such content is spreading propaganda, defamatory information and anti-state narratives, creating confusion among the public and damaging the country’s image. The SMP directed all unregistered online news portals to remove their platforms from both local and international domains within 48 hours of the notice – by 6:00pm on May 1. It warned that strict legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the directive. At the same time, the SMP urged residents of Sylhet city to refrain from sharing, liking, commenting on or promoting content published by unregistered news portals on social media.

The Appellate Division on Tuesday upheld the High Court’s order that granted bail to  former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque in five separate cases. An Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury dismissed multiple petitions seeking a stay on the bail order and rejected state appeals against the High Court’s decision, thereby keeping the bail orders in force. Senior lawyers Kamrul Haque Siddique and Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju appeared for Khairul Haque during the hearing. Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju said Khairul Haque will not be released from jail immediately as he remains shown arrested in two other cases. Earlier, on March 8, the High Court granted bail to Khairul Haque in four cases after issuing a rule. He later secured bail in an ACC case on March 11. The state subsequently moved the Appellate Division seeking a stay on those bail orders. However, during this period, he was shown arrested in two more cases at lower courts . Khairul Haque was arrested by police from his Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka on July 24 last year. He was later shown arrested in a murder case filed over the killing of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad in Jatrabari during the July movement. Besides, four other cases were filed against him including one over alleged manipulation of the caretaker government verdict. The case was lodged on August 27 at Shahbagh Police Station by Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shahin Khairul Haque was appointed the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh on September 27, 2010, with the appointment effective from September 30 the same year. He retired on May 17, 2011, and later served three terms as Chairman of the Law Commission.

An accused in a sensational triple murder case in Faridpur Sadar upazila has been arrested in a joint operation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police early Tuesday. The accused, Akash Molla, 28, was  arrested  from a banana grove near his house in Gadhadhar Dangi village under Aliabad union. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Md Shamsul Azam said a joint team conducted the drive based on a tip-off and later took him into custody. According to police and local sources, the incident occurred on Monday night when Akash allegedly attacked people with a hoe in the courtyard of Azgar Molla’s house in the same village. Three people—Rahila Begum ,50,Amena Begum (,75,and Kabol ,45, were killed on the spot, while Riaz Molla, 45, was seriously injured Faridpur Superintendent of Police Md Nazrul Islam said police recovered the bodies and completed initial inquest reports . He added that preliminary findings suggest the accused may be mentally unstable, though other motives are also being investigated. Police said the accused will be interrogated and his mental health will be examined. Efforts are underway to recover the weapon used in the attack and determine the exact cause behind the killings. Additional police have been deployed in the area as tension and panic persist among local residents. Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shahidul Islam said the accused will be produced before a court after preliminary interrogation. Further legal steps will be taken based on investigation progress.

Customs official Bullet Bairagi whose body was recovered from Cumilla on Saturday morning was killed after falling victim to an organised robber gang, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said. “The gang had been lying in wait after Bullet got off a bus at midnight. He was brutally assaulted and later pushed from a moving CNG, leading to his death on the spot,” said Wing Commander Entekhad Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, at a press briefing held at the RAB Media Centre in the capital on Monday. Five suspects- Md Sohag, Ismail Hossain Johnny, Imran Hossain Hridoy, Rahat Hossain Jewel and Sujon-were arrested in separate drives in Cumilla.

The Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 1,399 cases against traffic rule violators during drives conducted in different areas of the capital on Sunday. According to DMP, the highest number of cases—285—was filed in the Motijheel Traffic Division, followed by 233 in Uttara, 225 each in Tejgaon and Mirpur, 174 in Lalbagh, 93 in Ramna, 84 in Gulshan, and 80 in Wari. During the drives, a total of 255 vehicles were impounded and 168 others were fined or subjected to legal action. The information was shared in a media statement by NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Police Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, on Monday. DMP’s Traffic Division said such drives will continue to ensure traffic discipline across the Dhaka metropolitan area.