United News of Bangladesh

A court in Narayanganj on Thursday sentenced two men to death and eight others to life term imprisonment in a case involving the killing of a rice mill owner around 16 years back. Judge of Narayanganj Additional District and Session Judge Court Md Mominul Islam passé the verdict, said the court’s Inspector Md Kaium Khan. The death-row convicts are Milon Molla, son of late Nurul Haque of Rupganj upazila in the district and Sajeeb, son of Abdullah of Kaliganj in Gazipur. Those awarded life imprisonment are: Md Alam Mia, Md Jobayer Rahman, Mozammel Haque, Aminul Islam, Abdul Haque, Babul Mia, Laskor Ahmed Jibon and Rahmat Ali, all from Rupganj upazila. Man to die, 4 get life term for killing trader Of them, Laskor and Rahmat were tried in absentia. Besides, the court acquitted one Rabin from the charges. According to the case statement, the accused hacked rice mill owner Nurul Haque Molla to death in Murapara area of Rupganj on August 20 in 2009. Later, a case was filed accusing some people while police submitted chargesheet against 11 people. After completing all legal procedures, the court handed down the verdict on Thursday.

Jagannath University (JnU) students and teachers announced shutdown of the university on Thursday to press home their various demands. Prof Dr. Rais Uddin, general secretary of the university’s Teachers’ Association, announced the closure following a meeting with protesting students on Thursday. “No classes or exams will take place until our demands are met,” he said. “We did not come to conspire. We came to demand justice for our students, who were attacked without cause. This shutdown will continue until our demands are fulfilled,” he added. The protests led by students and teachers turned violent on Wednesday when they were trying to march towards the Chief Adviser’s residence. JnU students continue sit-in for second day, block Kakrail intersection Police fired tear gas, sound grenades, and hot water to disperse them when they reached Kakrail Mosque. Police also charged batons on the protestors, leaving over a hundred injured, including students, teachers and journalists. Many were later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. Students continued their sit-in at Kakrail for the second consecutive day on Thursday and even some spent the night sleeping on the street to press home their demand. Their demands are a housing allowance scholarship for 70% of students starting in the 2025–26 fiscal year, full approval of the university’s proposed budget without cuts, final approval and implementation of the second campus at the Ecnec meeting and a fair investigation into May 14 police action and exemplary punishment of those responsible. Police foil long march of JnU students near Jamuna The tensions worsened further on Wednesday night when Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam attempted to address students in Kakrail. While addressing, a bottle was thrown from the crowd.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on rallies, processions, demonstrations and gatherings in front of Chief Justice’s residence, Judges Complex, main gate of Bangladesh Supreme court, Jam-e-Mosque gate, main gates of International Crimes Tribunal 1 and 2 and Bangladesh Institute of Judicial Administration (BIJA). The ban has been imposed in the wake of current situation and to maintain law and order. The restriction effective from Thursday will remain in place until further notice, according to a public notification issued by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali. DMP urges people to refrain from blocking roads in the name of protests The ban has been enforced under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/76) to maintain discipline in light of the prevailing situation, it said. It also requested all again to refrain from blocking roads in the name of protest as such activities cause severe traffic congestion in the capital.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the case of a fatal shooting that occurred during the anti-discrimination protest in Dhaka last year. The arrestee, SM Kamal Haider, known as the close associate to former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, was arrested in a raid conducted by CID in the capital. CID’s Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan said the operation was carried out based on intelligence from a confidential source. Mystic singer-turned AL MP Momtaz detained: DB The murder case stems from an incident on August 4, last year when gunfire broke out in front of Patam Restaurant, located at Dhanmondi 3/1 Lake Road, amid the anti-discrimination demonstration. One protester, Abdullah Siddiq, was killed in the shooting. A murder case was later filed, and CID took over the investigation, said SP Jasim. “During the investigation, CID analysed witness statements, CCTV footage, and other evidence, which provided preliminary proof of SM Kamal Haider’s involvement in the incident,” he said. The process of producing the arrestee before the court is underway, he added.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Wednesday seeking a direction to prevent  BNP leader Ishraque Hossain from taking oath as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The writ also sought action against the Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal for giving a fraudulent judgement by declaring Ishraque as mayor. Md. Mamunur Rashid, a resident of Dhaka South City Corporation, filed the writ in the relevant branch of the High Court. The secretary of the local government division, law secretary, chief election commissioner, election commission secretary, joint district judge Md. Nurul Islam and Md. Ishraque Hossain were made defendants in the writ petition. The writ petition will be heard by the High Court bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury next Sunday, said the petitioner's lawyer Kazi Akbar Ali. Zubaida Rahman granted bail in graft case Earlier on March 27 , Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal Md Nurul Islam cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Later on April 27, the EC issued a gazette notification declaring him as mayor. On April 28, two Dhaka residents, including writ petitioner Mamunur Rashid, sent legal notices to the authorities concerned to appeal or review the verdict and decree given by the Election Tribunal declaring Ishraque as mayor. The notice also asked to refrain from publishing gazettes in the name of Ishraque and administering oaths to him. Meanwhile, supporters of Ishraque staged a demonstration on Wednesday, demanding that he be sworn in and handed the responsibilities of mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation. Mystic singer-turned AL MP Momtaz detained: DB The protest, held outside the Dhaka South City Corporation headquarters, culminated in the announcement of a nonstop sit-in starting at 9am tomorrow to press home their demand. Earlier in the morning, at around 8:30am, thousands of people gathered in front of Nagar Bhaban under the banner of Dhakabashi (Residents of Dhaka) and formed a human chain in support of Ishraque.

The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a graft case. The bail will remain in force until the disposal of a petition she filed with the High Court challenging a lower court verdict that sentenced her to three years in jail. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman also stayed the financial penalty imposed on her in the case. Earlier, on Tuesday, Zubaida filed the petition against her jail sentence. The court accepted it for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique to nine years and Zubaida to three years in prison for amassing illegal wealth and concealing information. Zubaida files petition challenging sentence in graft case Following her petition, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette on September 22 last year, suspending her sentence for one year 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, and stayed there for around 17 years before returning home on May 6 this year. Her appeal was included in the High Court’s cause list on Tuesday (May 13). The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another person on September 26, 2007, with Kafrul Police Station in the capital for amassing illegal wealth and concealing asset information. The charges were framed the following year.

Miscreants hacked a farmer to death at a local market in Lohagara upazila of Narail district on Wednesday morning. The deceased was identified as Khaja Molla, 45, son of Laba Molla of Kumardanga Par Ishakhali village under Itna union of the upazila. Quoting locals, police said the victim went to the local Kumardanga village to have a cup of tea in the morning. A group of miscreants equipped with locally-made lethal weapons surrounded him in front of one Raibul’s stall around 7:30am when he arrived there. The culprits hacked Khaja indiscriminately leaving him critically injured. Later, locals rushed him to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead upon arrival. Manikganj man hacked to death after reporting rape attempt on granddaughter Officer-in-charge of Lohagara police station Md Ashiqur Rahman said the body was sent to Narail Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to ward off any further incident, he said, adding drives were on to detain the accused

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, on Tuesday submitted an appeal with the High Court (HC) against her three-year jail sentence in a graft case. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman accepted the petition for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. Advocate Zainul Abedin and Kayser Kamal stood for Zubaida while Asif Hasan represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) during the hearing in the court. On August 2 in 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique to nine years in prison and Zubaida to three years in case over amassing assets through illegal means and concealing the information. Zubaida Rahman visits Koko’s grave 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 with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs following her petition. She had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008 and stayed there for around 17 years and finally returned home on May 6 this year. She submitted the appeal which was included in the court’s ‘cause list’ today (May 13).   Zubaida Rahman returning home after 17 years to a changed Bangladesh The ACC filed the case against three people including the couple on September 26, 2007, with Dhaka’s Kafrul police station for concealing wealth information and amassing illegal assets. The charges were pressed the following year.  

The Bangladesh Army has shared the updated contact numbers for their camps stationed across Dhaka and surrounding districts to strengthen law and order and ensure public safety. People have been advised to contact these numbers to report any suspicious activities or seek assistance, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Tuesday morning. Service seekers those live in the areas include Gazipur, Konabari, Pubail, Kaliakoir, Joydebpur, Tongi, Kapasia, Kaliganj, Kashimpur, Sripur, Narayanganj, Bandar, Fatulla, Siddhirganj, Araihazar, Rupganj, Sonargaon and Gojaria, have been encouraged to contact the following numbers: 01769-095198, 01769-095250, and 01769-091020. Human chain protests ‘baton charge by army’ on medical students in Sunamganj The residents of Demra, Wari, Ramna, Shahbagh, Paltan, Motijheel, Kamalapur Railway Station, Shahjahanpur, Kotwali, Bangshal, Gandaria, Sutrapur, Jatrabari, Shyampur, and Kadamtoli will be able to reach the army via 01769-092428, 01769-095198, 01769-095250, and 01769-091020. For Savar, Ashulia, Keraniganj, Hemayetpur, Baipayl, Dohar, Gazipur, Mawchak, and Manikganj, the designated mobile numbers are 01769-095209, 01769-095198, 01769-095250, and 01769-091020. In Faridpur, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, and Shariatpur, the following numbers have been served- 01769-093509, 01769-095198, 01769-095250, or 01769-091020 for support. Those in the airport area, Khilkhet, Dakshinkhan, Uttarkhan, and Uttara East can contact 01769-025766, 01769-025769, 01769-025865, and 01769-025767. Residents in Mirpur Model Thana, Mirpur 2, 6, 7, and 10, Duaripara, Rupnagar, Kazipara, Shewrapara, and Monipur have been advised to call 01769-050710, 01769-050693, 01769-050695, or 01769-050696. For Uttara West and Turag Thana areas, contact numbers are 01769-082836, 01318-371554, and 01318-371555.   People living in Darus Salam and Shah Ali Thana areas may reach out via 01769-033700, 01769-033702, or 01769-033704. In Gulshan, Banani, Bhatara, and Badda, the following numbers are active: 01769-050283 and 01769-011559. For Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, and Mugda, the contact is 01769-053144; while for Rampura, Sabujbagh, and Tejgaon Industrial Area, it is 01769-053168. Cantonment, Kafrul, and Bhashantek areas are covered by 01769-051825, 01769-019073, and 01769-013236. Army detains 2,457 in two-month nationwide crackdown For Hazaribagh, Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, and New Market, residents may dial 01897914862, 01897914863, 01897914864, 01897914865, 01769051838, or 01769051839. In Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Adabor, and Mohammadpur areas, assistance is available at 01815795951 and 01769059888, along with 01769051838 and 01769051839. For Tejgaon, the contact numbers are 01769019409, 01769019415, 01769051838, and 01769051839. In Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, and Kamrangirchar areas, the Armed Forces can be reached via 01769013439, 01619832069, 01769051838, and 01769051839.

A Magura court on Tuesday set May 17 to deliver the much-talked-about verdict in the sensational rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya. Judge Md Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal fixed the date after concluding arguments from both the plaintiff and the defence. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Monirul Islam Mokul, said arguments were presented in presence of the accused and expressed the hope that justice would be served for the victim. A total of 29 witnesses testified in the case and seven pieces of evidence were seized, he added. The rape took place on the night of March 5, when the victim was visiting her sister’s in-laws’ house in Nijnanduali village of Sadar upazila. She went to bed with her sister that night, but around midnight, her sister found her missing and began searching for her. 4 more witnesses testify in Magura girl rape-murder case After a frantic search, the girl was found unconscious a few yards from the house. She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened. She was then moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and later to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, where she died on March 13. The brutal incident sparked protests across the country. University students, including those from Dhaka University, staged demonstrations on their campuses demanding capital punishment for the accused. Police arrested the victim’s brother-in-law Sajib Sheikh, 20; his brother Ratul Sheikh, 25; and their parents Hitu Sheikh, 50, and Jabeda Begum, 40, in connection with the incident. On April 13, sub-inspector Md Alauddin of Magura Sadar Police Station, the investigation officer in the case, submitted a charge sheet to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, naming the four as accused. 4 accused indicted in Magura girl rape, murder case Earlier, on April 23, the same court framed charges against them. Prime accused Hitu Sheikh has been charged with rape and murder, and he made a confessional statement before the court.