United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday amended its Rules of Procedure 2010, granting its prosecutors and investigation officers the authority to arrest individuals accused or suspected of crimes against humanity. Through this amendment, prosecutors, along with investigative agencies, have been given the power to directly arrest accused without a warrant from the tribunal. The amendments, issued through a notification on Thursday by the Tribunal's Registrar ASM Ruhul Imran under the orders of Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, aims to streamline the arrest process by removing previous procedural requirements. According to the revised rules, if an investigation officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under the ICT Act has been committed, they are authorised to visit the scene, investigate the facts and circumstances, and arrest any accused or suspect. The officer is also empowered to conduct searches and seizures of evidence as necessary and may seek assistance from law enforcement agencies in these activities. While investigation officers can act independently, the rules clarify that they may request the tribunal to issue an arrest warrant through the prosecution at any stage of the investigation or trial if deemed necessary. In addition, law enforcement agencies, investigation officers, and prosecutors involved in the investigation are authorised to execute any arrest warrants issued by the tribunal. When asked about the amended rule, Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud said, "Under the previous rules, investigating officers couldn't arrest suspects directly; they had to apply to the Tribunal, which then issued a warrant, and law enforcement agencies carried out the arrest. Now, investigating officers can arrest suspects without a Tribunal warrant. Additionally, prosecutors involved in the investigation can also make arrests alongside law enforcement agencies."

Bangladesh Army has clarified its position regarding the people who took shelter inside the cantonments to save their lives after the July-August uprising. In a statement on Thursday, ISPR said that following the fall of the previous government during the July-August 2024 student uprising, the law and order situation in Bangladesh deteriorated significantly due to activities by unruly groups. The country witnessed widespread chaos, including attacks on government offices, police stations, political leaders, activists, and supporters; arson attacks on homes; mob justice; theft; and robberies. This fragile security environment led to widespread insecurity among citizens across the nation. In this tense situation, people from various social strata, including some political figures, sought refuge within the cantonments across Bangladesh, notably in Dhaka, to protect their lives. Given the sudden unrest, prioritising the safety of these asylum seekers over verifying their identities was deemed essential. Consequently, a total of 626 individuals—including 24 political figures, 5 judges, 19 civil administration officials, 515 police personnel and members, officials from various public universities, 12 miscellaneous persons, and 51 family members (spouses and children)—were provided shelter in different cantonments. The primary objective was to save lives from potential extrajudicial killings, driven solely by humanitarian considerations. "Most of these asylum seekers left the cantonments within one to two days; five individuals were handed over to law enforcement agencies based on existing charges or cases, following due legal procedures," added the ISPR. Earlier on 18 August 2024,  ISPR issued an official press release  regarding the people staying in the cantonment and seeking asylum and on the same day a list of 193 individuals (excluding 432 general police personnel and 1 NSI personnel) was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs - which was a settled matter. The provision of temporary shelter was a humanitarian gesture aimed at safeguarding their safety and lives. The ISPR emphasised that, given the security threats at the time, the lives of those seeking refuge could have been at risk. However, it also condemned the deliberate spread of misleading information intended to tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Army and to create distance between the military and the people. The Bangladesh Army also urged the people to remain vigilant against such misinformation. It reaffirmed its commitment to serve the nation with professionalism, dedication, and trust, while safeguarding the sovereignty of Bangladesh, according to the ISPR.

A leader of Krishak Dal, farmers wing of BNP, was shot and hacked to death in Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore district on Thursday . The deceased was identified as Tariqul Islam, president of Noapara municipality unit of BNP and son of Ibrahim Sardar of Dhopadi village of the municipality under Abhaynagar upazila of the district. Locals said there had been a dispute between Tariqul and some villagers over a fish enclosure in Dahar Masiahati village. Krishak Dal leader hacked to death in Sitakunda Miscreants shot and hacked him with sharp weapons to death in the village around 6pm, said Abdul Alim, officer-in-charge of Abhaynagar police station. Details about the murder will be shared later, the OC said.

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on actress Meher Afroz Shaon, former Detective Branch chief Harun-Or-Rashid and 10 others in an  attempted murder case. Judge of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah passed the order in the presence of two of the accused, said the court’s bench assistant Parvez Sumon. The rest of the accused face travel ban include Shaon’s father engineer Md Ali, sister Mahin Afroz Shinjan, former Dhaka Metropolitan’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Islam, police inspector Saiful Islam, sub inspectors Shah Alam and Mokhlesur Rahman Milon, four others Sejuti, Sabbir, Subrata Das and Maniul Hossain. Of them, Saiful and Shah Alam were present at the court. Attempted murder case: Actress Shaon faces arrest warrant Earlier on April 22, the court issued arrest warrant for the accused. On March 13, Shaon’s step-mother Nishi Islam filed the case on charge of beating up and attempting to murder her against the accused with a Dhaka court. According to the case statement, on February 21 last year accused Md Ali married Nishi Islam concealing his previous marriage, family and alluring her of wealth. Later, the victim came to know about the previous marriage and one son, three daughters of Md Ali. On March 4 later year, the accused dragged her out of the house of Ali when she went to it in Gulshan. Shaon, Sohana Saba released after questioning On the next day, Shaon and police official Nazmul went to the victim’s house where Shaon beat her up when she refused to sign on a blank paper. On April 24, police inspector Shah Alam called her to the DB office where Shaon and other accused also beat her.

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on former director general (DG) of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, his wife Nigar Sultana and two others over graft allegations. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order. The two others are Abdul Kaiyum, brother-in-law of former director general of National Security Intelligence Department (NSI) Major General TM Zobayer and Abu Syed Md Mustaque, a member of National Board of Revenue (NBR). SMM Akhter Hamid Bhuiyan, director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), filed a petition seeking travel ban on Sheikh Mamun and his wife. Court imposes travel ban on close aide of ex-DB chief Harun, 2 others In the petition, allegations were brought against Sheikh Mamun over amassing wealth after misusing power, irregularities and embezzling money. Besides, ACC director Md Manjur Alam filed another petition seeking travel ban on Kaiyum and the NBR member for assisting former DG of NSI TM Zobayer in amassing wealth.

Former Member of Parliament and renowned singer Momtaz Begum was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Manikganj on Thursday (May 22) as an accused in multiple cases, including murder. She was brought to the court from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur in a police prison van around 8:30am, according to court sources. Officer-in-charge (OC) Abul Khair of the court police said Momtaz Begum was named the prime accused in a murder case filed over the killing of four people during a hartal procession in Gobindol area of Singair upazila in 2013. The case was filed on October 25 last year by Md Majnu Molla of Gobindol village under Singair Police Station. Singer Noble arrested in domestic violence case: Police Besides, another case was filed against her at Harirampur Police Station on charges of assault and vandalism. According to OC Abul Khair, the case was filed by Md Delwar Hossain, the organisational secretary of Harirampur upazila BNP, on October 29. The police officer said a hearing regarding the cases was scheduled to take place at 11:30am today (Thursday) in the courtrooms of Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-1 Judge Muhammad Abdun Nur and Court-3 Judge Ivy Akhter. Police submitted a petition seeking a 7-day remand in the Singair murder case and a 5-day remand in the Harirampur assault case, the OC said. Prior to this, Momtaz had been on a 4-day remand in connection with several murder cases filed in various police stations in Dhaka. Upon completion of that remand, she was sent to Kashimpur Central Jail.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday interrogated Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain’s former assistant private secretary Moazzem Hossain and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum’s former personal officer Tuhin Farabi and current PO Mahmudul Hasan  over corruption charges. The commission also summoned National Citizen Party’s suspended joint member secretary Gazi Salauddin Ahmed Tanvir to question over graft charge. The anti-graft agency asked Tuhin and Mahmudul to appear at the commission headquarters on May 20, Tanvir on May 21 and Moazzem on May 22. The Commission interrogated three individuals for nearly two hours at its headquarters over allegations of corruption, including lobbying for transfers, tenders, and administrative favours involving crores of taka. Farabi and Hasan  were scheduled to appear before the ACC on Tuesday but failed to do so. Gazi Salauddin, whose appearance was set for today, complied with the summons. According to the ACC, both Farabi and Hasan are accused of amassing illicit wealth through unethical influence in doctor transfers, tender processes, and administrative lobbying. Farabi did not speak to the media after the questioning, while Hasan told reporters, “The allegations are baseless. I am also resigning from the position of Advisor’s Personal Officer.” ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akterul Islam said the commission will evaluate the gathered evidence and the statements of the accused before making further decisions. No issue of Foreign Secretary’s removal; responsibilities to be changed: Adviser Hossain After emerging from the ACC office, Gazi Salauddin claimed innocence, saying, “I am innocent. I am ready to go to jail if the allegations are proven.” Meanwhile, the ACC has summoned Moazzem, the former APS to the local government adviser, for questioning on Thursday. Earlier, the ACC started an inquiry into  allegations of amassing illegal wealth through corruption including lobbying, tender manipulations, and recruitment and posting business against Moazzem. Tuhin and Mahmudul also allegedly embezzled hundreds of crores of taka through appointments and transfer of doctors, medical college principals, directors, deputy directors and civil surgeons. Amid the allegations of corruption, Moazzem and Tuhin resigned from their posts on April 21. The ACC is conducting an inquiry led by ACC assistant director SM Rashedul Hasan against NCP’s suspended leader Salauddin over allegations of amassing illegal wealth through abusing power, lobbying and tender manipulation. Amid graft allegations, the NCP suspended Salauddin on April 21.

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday scheduled a hearing for Thursday (May 22) on a petition filed by Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, challenging her three-year jail sentence in a graft case. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman fixed the date for the hearing. Lawyers Kaiser Kamal and Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan appeared in the court on behalf of Zubaida Rahman. Earlier, on May 14, Zubaida filed the petition with the HC seeking to overturn her sentence. The court accepted the petition for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique Rahman to nine years in prison and Zubaida to three years in a case related to amassing wealth illegally and concealing information. Zubaida Rahman granted bail in graft case On September 22 last year, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette suspending Zubaida’s sentence for one year, following her petition and with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Zubaida had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008, where she lived for nearly 17 years before returning to Bangladesh on May 6 this year. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another individual on September 26, 2007, at Dhaka’s Kafrul Police Station for concealing wealth information and amassing illegal assets. Zubaida files petition challenging sentence in graft case The charges were formally pressed the following year.

The interim government has taken several measures to resolve the issue of pending wages and service benefits of workers at the TNZ Group’s garment factory, including clearing the dues by the next seven working days. The authorities have decided to sell TNZ Group’s washing plant and the owner’s residence at DOHS in Dhaka’s Mohakhali to clear the workers’ dues, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Tuesday night, referring to the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. As part of the series of measures, the government will try to bring back the TNZ Group owner home, who is currently abroad, by issuing a red alert through Interpol. RMG workers stage protest at Kakrail demanding arrears, Eid bonus Additionally, travel bans have been imposed on directors and others involved in the company’s management. As all parties have reached a consensus over the settlement, the workers’ leaders will withdraw their planned siege of the ‘Shrom Bhaban’, the seat of the government's labour wing. Meanwhile, the Director (Finance) of TNZ Group will remain in government custody until all outstanding payments to the workers are made, it added.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday granted bail to popular actress Nusrat Faria in an attempted murder case. Judge of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court-1 Mustafizur Rahman passed the order on a bond of Tk 5000 after hearing a prayer for bail, said defence lawyer Barrister Mohammad Iftekahr Hossain. Earlier, on Monday, the court sent her to jail in the case. Nusrat Faria was detained by the immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday while attempting to leave Dhaka for Thailand. Later, she was handed over to Bhatara police station who then took her to the Detective Branch (DB) office for questioning. Farooki terms Nusrat Faria's arrest 'embarrassing incident According to the case statement, Nusrat Faria, along with Apu Biswas, Nipun Akter, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Zayed Khan and 12 others, were accused in the case involving last year’s anti-discrimination movement in Bhatara area. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 283 others were also named in the same case. The case was filed on April 29 at the Bhatara police station, a day after a court ordered police to register it. Nusrat was accused in the case for allegedly financing Awami League, which the complainant claims took a stance against the anti-discrimination movement. Nusrat began her career as a radio jockey before moving on to television hosting in 2013. She also performed in a few dramas. Actress Nusrat Faria lands in jail Nusrat made her silver screen debut in 2015 with Aashiqui, a Bangladesh-India joint production that earned widespread attention. Since then, she has appeared in nearly 20 films in Dallywood and Tollywood.