United News of Bangladesh

Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan, joint convener of the BNP’s Gulshan thana unit, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the capital’s Middle Badda area on Monday night. According to police and witnesses, the incident took place around 10:06pm near a tea stall opposite to the office of former commissioner Kayum on Road No. 4 in the Gudaraghat area. Kamrul was having tea with a few others when two masked attackers arrived and opened indiscriminate fire. He was struck by four to five bullets in the chest and back, causing him to fall from his chair. 3 gunned down in Jhenaidah The assailants fled the scene while firing blank shots to cover their escape. Kamrul was rushed to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Badda Police Station Md Saiful Islam told the media that CCTV footage from the area is being analysed to identify the shooters. “We hope the killers will be arrested soon,” he said. AL leader gunned down in Pabna Kamrul’s body has been sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.

A Dhaka court on Sunday imposed a travel ban on former Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and his family members. The other members are his wife Rehan Chowdhury, sons Hamdad Hossain and Araj Alam and daughters Raima Chowdhury and Alisha Babar Chowdhury. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Ghalib issued the order in response to an application filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), confirmed its Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam. Summons for Hasina  over contempt charges to be published in newspapers Earlier, ACC Deputy Director Md. Saiduzzaman submitted the application seeking a ban on their international travel. In its plea, the anti-graft body mentioned that the commission is investigating allegations of accumulating substantial illegal wealth through corruption and abuse of political influence. Beware of fraudsters impersonating police officers: Police Headquarters "During the investigation, information about various immovable properties—particularly in Canada, the US, and the UK—was found in their names. To prevent the accused from fleeing the country and evading justice, the commission requested that a travel ban be imposed on them," it added.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the publication of notices in two major newspapers to summon ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Chhatra League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul to respond to contempt of court charges. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Murtoza Majumder, issued the order after considering a petition from Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. The notices must be published within seven days in both Bengali and English newspapers, with the next hearing scheduled for June 3. The tribunal's action follows the circulation of an online audio clip in which Sheikh Hasina purportedly made a controversial speech claiming that "227 cases have been filed against me, so I have gotten licenses for killing 227 people." Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police conducted a forensic examination of the conversation and confirmed that it was authentic. A contempt of court complaint was filed against those on the call on April 30, for giving statements in the case arising from the July mass uprising. The International Crimes Tribunal accepted the complaint and ordered them to submit their response by May 15. But since they did not reply, the accused were ordered to appear before the tribunal on May 25. "As both Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul failed to appear before the tribunal today, the court has mandated their publication of notices to ensure their appearance and response to the contempt charges by the stipulated deadline."  

The Police Headquarters has urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious amid reports of fraudsters impersonating police officers using the names and photographs of real law enforcement personnel. In a press release issued on Sunday, the Police Headquarters said it has received complaints about fraud rings who are identifying themselves as police officers to deceive and defraud individuals. PHQ warns SI job aspirants against financial transactions Authorities have warned people not to fall victim to such scams and advised verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer before engaging with them. “Legal action against these fraudulent groups is going on. Bangladesh Police remains committed to ensuring public safety,” the statement said.

Two Bangladeshi youths were injured in a firing reportedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria early Sunday. The injured – Md Robiul Islam, 28, and Md Azad Hossain, 26, -- hailed from Shyampur frontier area of the upazila. They are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. According to sources, six youths intruded into Indian territories through the Khadla border around 1:30m. Sensing their presence, the BSF reportedly fired shots leaving two of them injured, they said. Later, their companions rescued them and took them to a local hospital. 4 Bangladeshis detained by BSF near Thakurgaon border Locals said smuggling activity, particularly of cattle, spices, cosmetics and fireworks, usually increases ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and the area is known for smuggling. Lt Col Ziaur Rahman, commandant of the BGB-60 Battalion, said they are aware of the matter and gathering information in this regard.

Top listed criminal Ali Akbar, alias Dhakaiya Akbar who was shot by miscreants at Patenga Sea Beach in Chattogram on May 23, died while undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Sunday morning. Nurul Alam Asheq, in-charge of the hospital police outpost, said Ali Akbar succumbed to his injuries at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital around 8am. On May 23, the miscreants opened fire targeting Akbar while chatting with his friends at a shop at the Sea Beach. Two tourists -- Jannatul Baki, 30, and Mahim Islam Ratul, 8, -- also suffered bullet wounds when a group of four youths riding two bikes began shooting. Akbar, son of Manju Mia from Bayezid Bostami area of the city, was accused in 10 cases, including for murder, illegal arms possession and extortion. He was known as a rival of nefarious criminals Sajjad Hossain and Sarwar Hossain. Top listed criminal Azim among five arrested from Dhaka: KMP Akbar frequently posted videos on his Facebook account mocking Sajjad's wife, Tamanna Sharmin and Sajjad himself. In response, Tamanna also posted videos threatening Akbar of taking action. Sajjad was arrested from a Dhaka shopping mall on 15 March.  Officer-in-charge of Patenga police station Shafiqul Islam said neither any accused was identified in the shooting incident yet nor any case was filed. A case will be filed now as a man died, he added.

The Financial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday froze 35 bank accounts belonging to journalist Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associated individuals and entities, with a total balance of Tk 181,653,739 (18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739) CID's Special Superintendent of Police (Media Wing) Jasim Uddin Khan said that Munni Saha and her husband allegedly exploited their profession to unlawfully exert influence and earn money through fraud and extortion. The illegally earned funds were reportedly transacted through various bank accounts held under their names and those of their associates and affiliated organizations. Acting on complaints, CID launched a money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019, targeting Munni Saha and those with ties to her, said Jasim. Court imposes travel ban on ex-MP Atiur, his wife and 15 others over graft allegations Preliminary investigation revealed that a total of 46 bank accounts had been opened under the names of Munni Saha, her husband, and related parties, of which 35 are currently active, he mentioned. According to Jasim, suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 1,865,691,008 (over Tk 186 crore) were traced through these accounts over time, with a current balance of over Tk 18 crore. Finding the transactions suspicious, the investigating officer sought a court order to freeze the accounts. In response, the Senior Special Judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued an order to freeze the 35 accounts, along with the funds currently held in them. Following the court order, all 35 accounts and the Tk 181,653,739 held in them have been officially frozen, said the CID official.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on former lawmaker of Sherpur-1 constituency Md Atiur Rahman Atik, his wife Shantona Begum, and 15 others in connection with two separate corruption inquiries. The order was issued on Saturday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib following petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said Akhtarul Islam, public relations officer of ACC. In one petition, the ACC sought to bar Atik and his wife from leaving the country, stating that an inquiry is underway into allegations of embezzling public funds through various irregularities and corruption and amassing illegal wealth in the names of Atik and his family members. The petition said credible sources had indicated that the accused might attempt to flee the country, which would hamper the investigation. In a separate petition, the ACC requested a travel ban on 15 others accused in a Tk 490 crore loan scam involving Broadway Real Estate Limited and National Bank’s Mohakhali branch. The 15 individuals include Monowara Sikder, wife of late Sikder Group chairman Zainul Haque Sikder and director of National Bank’s board; Arif Hasan, managing director of Desh Television, chairman of Hasan Telecom Ltd, and shareholder of Broadway Real Estate; Mohammad Sharif Uzzaman Khan, managing director of Broadway Real Estate; Md Ismail, chairman; Mohammad Fazle Rabbi and Tawseef Saifullah, both directors of the company. Court imposes travel ban on ex-DGFI DG, 3 others Others named are, Syed Rais Uddin, former branch manager and deputy managing director of National Bank; ASM Bulbul, former company secretary and additional managing director; MA Wadud, former additional managing director; CM Ahmed, former managing director; Parveen Haque Sikder, former director; Moazzem Hossain, current director; Khalilur Rahman and Mabrur Hossain, both former directors; and Md Rojob Ali, a former sub-registrar. According to the ACC, the accused colluded to misuse power and breach trust to approve and disburse the loan to Broadway Real Estate. Of the sanctioned amount, Tk 462 crore was allegedly withdrawn in cash and misused for purposes beyond the loan's stated intent. As of November 30 last year, the defaulted loan had accrued Tk 178.89 crore in interest and other charges, resulting in substantial financial losses. The ACC argued that the accused might flee the country to avoid prosecution, and therefore a travel ban was necessary to ensure a proper investigation.

A Dhaka court on Saturday imposed a travel ban and blocked the National Identity Card (NID) of Moazzem Hossain, former assistant personal secretary (APS) to Sports and LGED Adviser Asif Mahmud, over allegations of corruption and illegal wealth accumulation. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Saturday after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a petition, said ACC public relations officer Aktarul Islam. ICT prosecutors, investigation officers empowered to arrest without warrant   According to the petition, Moazzem Hossain is currently under investigation for allegedly amassing hundreds of crores of taka through abuse of power, lobbying, extortion, manipulation of tenders and various irregularities and corrupt practices. The ACC said credible sources indicated that Moazzem might attempt to flee the country to evade legal proceedings, prompting the request for the travel ban and NID blockage.

Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two alleged drug dealers with 4,600 pieces of Yaba tablets from the capital’s Paltan area on Saturday morning. The arrestees were identified as Md. Rahim, 26, and Md. Shafiullah, 24. Deputy commissioner (Media) of the DmO Talebur Rahman said based on secret information, a team from the illegal arms recovery and narcotics control unit conducted a drive around 9:20 am in front of Azmeri Hotel and Restaurant in Paltan. They had information that several drug dealers were stationed there to sell Yaba. During the operation, the DB team detained Rahim and Shafiullah and recovered 4,600 pieces of Yaba from their possession, he said. ICT prosecutors, investigation officers empowered to arrest without warrant   A case has been filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act with Paltan Police Station. DB sources said the arrestees are active members of a professional drug trafficking ring and had been collecting and selling illegal Yaba pills across Paltan and other parts of Dhaka for a long time.  During preliminary interrogation, they confessed to keeping the Yaba for sale. Legal proceedings are underway against the detainees.