United News of Bangladesh

Detectives detained former Manikganj-2 Awami League MP and renowned singer Momtaz Begum from Dhanmondi in the capital on Monday night. Md Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public communications) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said a team of the Detective Branch picked her up from the Star Kabab Restaurant area around 11:30pm. Singer Momtaz fails to secure her place in national polls She has been accused in several cases, but it remains unclear in which case she will be shown arrested, he added. In 2009, the famous folk artist, who performed songs of the mystic genre, became active in politics with the Awami League and was elected as an MP from reserved women's seat-21 under the party's nomination of the same year. Subsequently, she was elected as lawmaker from the Manikganj-2 (Singair-Horirampur) seat for two consecutive terms in the 2014 and 2018 elections. In the 12th national election, she was the AL nominated candidate for the Manikganj-2 seat. However, she lost the election to her party's independent candidate Deowan Zahid Ahmed Tulu. Although she was not elected as an MP, she had been serving as the president of the Singair upazila Awami League for a long time.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday declared the appointment of an administrator and new board of directors at mobile financial service provider Nagad as unlawful. Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing a petition in this regard.   Following a hearing held on 7 May, the court ruled that any attempt to impose temporary control over Nagad through administrative or board restructuring was in violation of legal provisions. As a result, the company, operating under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Post Office, will now function solely under the guidance of its rightful ownership and as per policies framed by the Bangladesh Bank. No further legal barrier exists to such operations. This judgment comes after the High Court (HC) had earlier on 16 February dismissed a writ petition that challenged the legality of appointing an administrator. Nagad had argued that the move was both illegal and hostile to the institution’s growth, vowing to pursue the matter through appropriate legal channels. Appointment of administrator to Nagad legal: High Court With the latest ruling, the apex court has unequivocally affirmed that control and management of Nagad must remain with its legitimate owners. Barrister Muhammad Jamir Uddin Sarkar, lead counsel representing the ownership of Nagad, said this ruling is crucial for the future of the economy. It sets a precedent that no authority can unjustly strip rightful owners of control over their enterprise. The Supreme Court has taken a bold and just stance that reflects the essence of rule of law and good governance.

Action will be taken against Awami League if they try to organize or hold a procession, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said. The adviser came up with the remarks after the meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat on Monday. When asked what your activities will be after the issuance of the notification banning the Awami League, the adviser said, 'We will do whatever is in the notification.' DIG Dhaka range orders arrest of July movement suppressors "It is our responsibility to implement the law that will be passed.' The passport of former President Abdul Hamid, who went abroad, has not been canceled. Regarding whether any action is being taken against those involved in the passport, he said, a committee has been formed in this regard. He (Abdul Hamid) was the honorable President. "I do not know whether all laws apply to everyone," he added. He added that the committee will investigate and see whether it was legal or illegal for him to have a passport. "Even though presidents are not in office, they are number four according to the warrant of presidency. They do get some privileges and benefits on that account. The committee will see whether he has been given some benefits outside the protocol," he mentioned. DMP bans rallies near CA’s residence, adjacent areas Regarding the recovery of illegal weapons, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, the operation to recover illegal weapons is still ongoing. However, the quantity we wanted was not recovered.

A Narayanganj court on Monday rejected the bail petition of former Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Mayor Dr Selina Hayat Ivy in a case filed with Siddhirganj Police Station. Judge of the Narayanganj Judicial Magistrate Court-2, Shamsur Rahman passed the order after hearing the bail petition. Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Masum, a counsel of Ivy, said they will file a petition before the court seeking division for her client. Former Narayanganj Mayor Ivy arrested after overnight tension Earlier on Friday, police arrested Ivy from her city residence. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station Nasir Uddin said they detained her from ‘Chunka Kutir’ in Deobhog around 5:45 am, citing multiple charges, including murder. OC Nasir said Ivy was detained in connection with several pending cases, including charges of murder.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of his two aunts in Dhaka's Shewrapara area, police said on Monday afternoon. The boy, identified as Rabbani Khan alias Taj, was picked up from his maternal grandfather’s house in Ashiar Gagan under Jhalakathi Sadar on Sunday, following a tip-off, said Joint Commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Nasirul Islam, at a press briefing. The victims were identified as Mariam Begum and Sufia Begum. Briefing reporters at the DMP media centre on Monday afternoon, Nasirul said, Taj left his rented house in Shanir Akhra at around 12:00 pm saying his mother that he was going for private tuition. Instead, he went to his elder aunt Mariam Begum’s rented flat in West Shewrapara under Mirpur police station by a CNG auto-rickshaw at around 12:50 pm. While his elder aunt was preparing lemon juice for Taj and his younger aunt was cleaning dishes on the veranda, he allegedly stole Tk 3,000 from a wallet kept near the TV in a room. When Mariam caught him in the act and scolded him, he stabbed her in the abdomen with a lemon-cutting knife. As she attempted to fight back, he stabbed her again. Hearing her screams, another aunt Sufia rushed from another room, but Taj stabbed her once as well. He then allegedly took a pestle from the kitchen and struck both women multiple times on the head, killing them on the spot. Bank official arrested on charges of embezzling money He later cleaned the blood from his body in the bathroom, changed his bloodstained clothes with his cousin sister’s jeans and a t-shirt, wore a cap, and locked the main gate of the flat from outside before leaving, saif the joint commissioner. He took a CNG-run auto-rickshaw to travel to Shanir Akhra, discarding the house keys and cap on the road. He paid Tk 450 as fare and threw away the remaining stolen money due to bloodstains. At a local shopping centre, he changed back into his pink panjabi and disposed of the bloodied clothes through a ventilator in a washroom. He also threw his shoes onto an abandoned building near his house. On May 10, the day after the incident, he left for Jhalakathi to attend the burial of one of the victims. Joint commissioner Nasirul further said the boy had been closely monitoring law enforcement activities and had attempted to evade arrest by moving between locations. Finally, the detectives identified Taj scrutinising video footage of the Shewrapara building. Later, they arrested him. Replying to a question, the joint commissioner DB said that Taj revealed that he had stolen Tk 3,000 to buy a bycycle. Further investigation is underway to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or acted under someone’s influence, he added. Acting on his confession, police recovered the bloodstained clothes from a sewer near the shopping centre and his discarded shoes from the abandoned building. One of the recovered jeans belonged to his cousin.

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday submitted a report accusing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others of committing crimes against humanity in connection with the mass killings that took place during July and August. ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam disclosed this at a press conference. “Sheikh Hasina has been accused of five specific crimes against humanity. While two of the charges have been made public, the rest will remain confidential for now,” he said. The two other accused are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Flee of 'fascist ruler' a primary democratic victory: Ali Riaz The first charge is incitement and provocation as Sheikh Hasina referred to protesters as descendants of Razakars at a press conference that incited law enforcement forces and Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League activists to launch attacks on the protestors, he said. The second charge centers on direct orders, he said.  The investigation team has seized several phone call recordings in which Sheikh Hasina is heard issuing clear instructions to state forces to use helicopters, drones, and APCs against unarmed protestors, he added. “Based on this evidence, the second charge has been formally submitted,  he added.

Police have arrested a bank officer on charges of embezzling customers' money from the Silonia Bazar branch of Southeast Bank in Feni. Police arrested Md Ziaul Haque, 36, from Feni town on Sunday morning, said Md Wahid Parvez, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daganbhuiyan Police Station. Ex-AL MP, 6 others arrested in Dhaka Arrestee Ziaul Haque is the son of Abdul Haque of Salman Haji Bari of Paschim Pathannagar village in Pathannagar union of Chhagalnaiya upazila of the district. He is a junior officer at the Silonia Bazar branch of Southeast Bank. However, it is not clear the amount of money was withdrawn from the accounts of how many customers. Police said when the matter came to light, the victim customers came to the bank and complained, and the bank officer went into hiding on May 4. Later, Branch Manager Md. Kamruzzaman filed a case with Dagan Bhuiyan Police on May 6, accusing Ziaul Haque. DIG Dhaka range orders arrest of July movement suppressors Manager Kamruzzaman said that after learning about the withdrawal of customers' deposits from bank accounts, officials of the bank's audit department came to the branch and collected information. "It is not possible to provide details about how many customers' accounts and how much money was withdrawn before receiving the audit report," he added. OC Wahid Parvez said that the arrestee will be produced before the court after completing the due procedures. Push-ins by India continues; BGB strengthens border patrols

Detectives have arrested seven people including a former MP of Awami League during a drive in the capital in 24 hours till 6 am on Sunday morning.  The arrestees are Shamima Akhter Khanom alias Shamima Shahriar, former AL MP from a reserved seat in Sunamganj district,  Md Imran Mati, general secretary of Darussalam Thana Swechchhasebak League; Md Ashraf Siddiqui alias Bitu 44, director of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) and assistant press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; Md Nesar Ahmed alias Nesar Uddin Hawlader 35, former organising secretary of Cumilla District Chhatra League, Md Robiul Islam, vice president of Darussalam Thana Swechchhasebak League; Md Mosharraf Hossain Sarkar, former organising secretary of Nabinagar Upazila units of Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League; and  Mohidul Islam Biplob , general secretary of South Badda Bazar Unit Awami League. DIG Dhaka range orders arrest of July movement suppressors DB sources said all the arrestees were involved in attempting to destabilise the country and create panic among the public. Multiple cases were filed against them at different police stations.      

Newly appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallick on Sunday directed all Officers-in-Charge (OCs) under his command to arrest people involved in the suppression of the July movement, particularly those against whom specific allegations have been proven in investigations. While briefing reporters at his office in Segunbagicha, the capital, DIG Mallick said no form of injustice, corruption or abuse of power would be tolerated in the Dhaka Range. “There will be zero tolerance for bribery, transfer business, extortion, terrorism, or any subversive activities by banned organisations or collaborators of the deposed regime. The Dhaka Range Police is fully capable of dealing with such threats,” he said. He further instructed field-level officers to remain vigilant about any unlawful activities by proscribed outfits. All Dhaka range police stations to be turned into model units: DIG Malik “Any activity by a banned organization must not take place in your jurisdiction. Those responsible for the repression during the anti-discrimination student movement must be arrested if found guilty,” said the DIG. To improve communication with the public, DIG Mallick also announced the upcoming launch of a mobile app titled Talk to DIG, which will allow citizens to report crimes or seek help directly. He assured that the identity of informants would be kept confidential. Underscoring the importance of public service, he said, “Police stations under Dhaka Range must become the first responders in any public crisis. As long as I serve as DIG, I will uphold justice, professionalism, and integrity.” “No police personnel, including SPs and OCs, will be spared if found involved in unethical or unprofessional conduct,” he warned. To this end, complaint boxes will be installed at all police stations, outposts, circle offices, SP offices, and the DIG’s own office. “If any service is denied, citizens can lodge a complaint, and I will take immediate action,” he added. Rezaul Karim Mallick officially took charge as DIG of Dhaka Range on May 8.    

India continues to push people into Bangladesh, labeling them as Bangladeshi nationals, through several border points, including Satkhira, Kurigram, Khagrachhari and Moulvibazar, raising serious concerns among local residents and authorities. According to local officials and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), several such incidents have been reported in recent weeks. On Wednesday, Khagrachhari’s Acting Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana said 80 Indian nationals, including women and children, crossed into Bangladesh through Matiranga and Panchhari upazilas. In response, the BGB has intensified patrols to prevent further illegal entry. BGB sources said the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 29 people through the Shantipur border and another 19 through Achalong Para in Taindong Union. Besides, 32 people were forced across the Ruposhi Para border in Panchhari upazila. Reports also indicate that BSF is gathering more Indian nationals in parts of Tripura for possible future push-ins. 'Push-ins': BGB patrols strengthen along Feni border In Kurigram, BGB members detained 44 people from border areas in Roumari and Bhurungamari upazilas early Wednesday. According to Lutfur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Roumari Police Station, 30 of them were pushed in through different points along the Roumari border—22 of whom are suspected to be Rohingya. BGB is currently verifying the identities of the detainees. Following these incidents, BGB has ramped up patrols along the Feni border and intensified intelligence operations across all sensitive areas. UNB’s Khulna correspondent reported that a group of 78 people, allegedly pushed in by the Indian Navy through the Mandarbaria area of the Satkhira range in the western Sundarbans on Friday, were transported to Mongla on Sunday aboard the Bangladesh Coast Guard vessel Swadhin Bangla. Due to limited capacity, some were carried in a wooden trawler, officials said. The group is expected to reach Mongla by midday. Quoting sources from the Coast Guard, BGB and Forest Department, officials said during preliminary questioning, the group said they were dropped near the Mandarbaria forest patrols post in Shyamnagar upazila late Friday night by the Indian Navy. As they failed to present valid Indian citizenship documents, they were reportedly pushed into Bangladesh. No fresh ‘push-in’ reported along Khagrachari border: DC The Sundarbans Forest Division has provided them with food and temporary assistance. Responding to the reported push-ins, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said any repatriation should occur through formal diplomatic channels. “This needs to be done formally,” he told reporters when asked about the push-in incidents. "This needs to be done in a formal channel," he said when a journalist wanted to know his comments referring to media reports. "We are examining each case separately. Our decision is we will receive only if there is proof that they are Bangladeshi citizens," he added. Khalilur Rahman said such push-ins are not the right approach, stressing the importance of using formal channels. When asked whether Dhaka will convey this to New Delhi, he said they are already trying to contact the Indian government in this regard.