United News of Bangladesh

Although 26 days have passed after the murder of BNP leader Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan on the Road no-4  of Gudarghat area along the Badda-Gulshan Link Road, investigators have yet to determine a clear motive behind the killing. Despite reviewing CCTV footage from the area and identifying four young men involved in the attack, police have not been able to confirm their identities. The case remains a mystery, with investigators admitting they are working on it as a "clueless murder." Initially, police suspected a dispute over internet business might be behind the killing, but no concrete evidence has emerged to support that theory. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been detained. According to investigators, the assailants visited the area before executing the killing mission, which they believe indicates a targeted killing. Executing such a killing in a densely populated area and fleeing without resistance suggests the killers were well-prepared. Police say they have reviewed footage from a number of CCTV cameras across nearby area, but only one camera captured the suspects walking, executing the attack, and fleeing the scene. Police sources said the victim’s family has not reported any known enmity, nor have residents mentioned any disputes involving Sadhan. Police suspect that the attackers came from outside Dhaka, carried out the mission, and left the city immediately. Witnesses said Sadhan was sitting with several local BNP leaders when two young men approached from behind and opened fire. The killers fired blank shots while fleeing, causing panic in the area. No one dared to intervene. BNP leader gunned down in Badda Sadhan was first taken to the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital and then to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, where doctors declared him dead. His wife, Dilruba Akter, later filed a murder case with Badda Police Station, but did not name any suspects.Sub-Inspector Ibrahim of the police station has made Investigation Officer of the case. Following the incident, senior officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and several intelligence agencies visited the scene and spoke to locals. Residents said they did not recognize the attackers, suggesting they were not from the neighborhood. This is not the first such incident. On March 20 this year, another internet businessman, Suman Mia alias Teli Suman, was shot dead in front of Police Plaza in a similar nighttime attack. That investigation later revealed a conflict over internet business. Given the similarities in timing and context, police suspect the same motive may apply in Sadhan’s case. Contacted for comment, Officer-in-Charge of Badda Police Station Saiful Islam told UNB that no arrests have been made yet, and the motive remains unclear. “CCTV footage shows four people were involved in the mission—two shooters and two others behind them. But we haven’t been able to identify them yet, which is why arrests have not been possible,” he said.  “We are working on several possible motives,” he added. “Once any of the killers is caught, the exact motive will become clear. The investigation is ongoing.”

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged all concerned not to spread misinformation regarding the police role during the protests of United International University (UIU) students on Saturday morning on Madani Avenue. In a press release issued on Saturday, the DMP said that “Some people are circulating misleading and baseless reports on social media regarding the incident.” The release said a group of 30-40 students from UIU staged a demonstration at Natun Bazar intersection around 8:30am, blocking the road and disrupting vehicular movement as part of a pre-declared protest demanding the withdrawal of expulsion orders and other issues. At one stage, police personnel engaged in multiple rounds of discussion with the demonstrating students, requesting them to clear the road and refrain from causing public inconvenience, according to the DMP. DMP must deliver professional, quality service: IGP “Despite repeated requests, as the students refused to leave the road on-duty police officers attempted to remove them around 10:30am to ease public suffering, leading to a brief scuffle between the protesters and the police who eventually managed to clear the road,” the release said. The protesting students resumed their demonstration by reoccupying the road around 11:45 am and discussions with university authorities and students are ongoing to resolve the situation peacefully, the DMP added. The statement further mentioned that police have been trying to manage the situation peacefully without using any form of force and are continuing efforts to reach a resolution through dialogue. It also noted that one lane of the Badda-Kuril road remains open to traffic.

Former Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) and ex-Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Iqbal Bahar was detained on Friday evening. He was taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office in the capital, a senior official at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) told UNB on condition of anonymity. The official, however, declined to comment on the reason behind the detention or the specific allegations against the former police officer. According to sources, Iqbal Bahar is an accused in multiple murder cases filed last July in connection with deadly incidents that occurred during an anti-discrimination movement. The cases were filed with Gulshan, Mirpur Model and Jatrabari police stations. Former state minister for planning Shamsul Alam arrested in Dhaka In April this year, he was posted to the police headquarters as Additional IGP (T&I&M). Iqbal Bahar was appointed CMP Commissioner on April 10, 2016. During his tenure, he was widely considered a trusted figure within the ruling Awami League and was reportedly involved in executing the party’s agenda. He also faces allegations of arbitrary arrests, filing false cases and harassment of opposition activists during his time at the CMP.

A Sylhet court on Thursday issued arrest warrants against Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir, and four others in connection with a cheque fraud case. Judge of Sylhet Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid passed the order after hearing an appeal. The case was filed by Ahmed Noor, former Sylhet bureau chief of Kaler Kantho newspaper and currently the editor of local daily Sylhet Mirror. Confirming the court order, plaintiff’s lawyer Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam said the warrants were issued after the accused ignored previous summons issued by the court. The other accused include Kaler Kantho publisher Moynal Hossain Chowdhury, current editor Hasan Hafiz, former editor and cheque signatory Shahed Muhammad Ali, and former Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naem Nizam. ICT issues arrest warrant for Hasina, Asaduzzaman Kaler Kantho newspaper has also been named as an institutional defendant. Court sources said the case was initially filed on December 5 last year. On that day, the court had ordered the six accused to appear before it. According to the case statement, the plaintiff served as Sylhet bureau chief of Kaler Kantho, a publication of Bashundhara’s East West Media Group, from its inception until September 2021. He alleged that the management delayed payment of his service benefits under the Wage Board. Although partial payment was made and 10 post-dated cheques were issued, eight of them—worth Tk 601,824—were dishonoured. Despite a legal notice and assurances from the accused's lawyer, the dues remained unpaid, prompting the filing of two cheque dishonour cases. The arrest warrants were issued in the first case on Thursday.

Former state minister for planning Dr Shamsul Alam was arrested by detectives from the capital’s Mohammadpur area on Thursday. DMP Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrest but said the specific case is yet to be determined. Ex-Ministers Anisul, Mosharraf, another remanded in 2 cases Dr Shamsul Alam was appointed as the state minister for planning under the technocrat quota in July 2021. Prior to that, he served as a member (senior secretary) of the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission. A recipient of the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to economics, Dr Alam served as a professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University for 35 years.

Police on Wednesday detained a village police member in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur after recovering 20 sacks of government rice from his residence. The detainee, Swapan Saha, a village police member of Borokul Purbo union, was reportedly selling rice meant for distribution under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme, according to local residents. Acting on the complaint, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ibne Al Zayed Hossain conducted a drive at Swapan’s house. During the operation, he found nine sacks of rice weighing 50 kg each, five sacks weighing 30 kg each, and 12 empty rice sacks. Swapan later admitted to having sold six sacks of VGF rice, the UNO said. Deer traps, illegal crab-catching tools seized in Sundarbans The UNO Hossain said that Swapan had been detained and the rice confiscated. “We also received complaints that some eligible beneficiaries did not receive their rice during distribution,” he added. Hajiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mohiuddin Faruk said, ”A regular case is being processed in connection with the incident.”

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday conducted an enforcement drive at the RAJUK Rupsha Apartment project in Gulshan over allegations of corruption and irregularities in flat allocations. According to the complaint, during the tenure of the previous government, a number of high-value apartments in the Rupsha Apartment project—located behind the Westin Hotel in Gulshan-2—were allegedly allocated at reduced prices to politically influential individuals, their children, and senior government officials, in a non-transparent manner. During the drive, the ACC enforcement team took statements from the officials involved in the project and conducted an on-site inspection of the apartment complex. Initial observations by the team suggest signs of procedural irregularities in the allocation process. Ex-Ministers Anisul, Mosharraf, another remanded in 2 cases To investigate further, the team collected relevant documents, including allocation applications, approval records, and the list of beneficiaries. The collected records will be reviewed and a detailed report will be submitted to the Commission for further action.  

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Wednesday said every police member must carry out their duties with the utmost sincerity and dedication, emphasising that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is a vital unit of Bangladesh Police and the public expects professional and quality service from it. He made the remarks while addressing senior DMP officers during the monthly crime review meeting for May 2025, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. The IGP said crime control and ensuring public safety are inseparably tied to the responsibilities of the police force. Baharul Alam instructed officers to remain vigilant during mobile, guard, and diplomatic duties, and to avoid using mobile phones while on duty in order to maintain full attention to their responsibilities. He further directed the DMP personnel to be mentally prepared to ensure a fair and peaceful forthcoming national election. Speaking at the meeting, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali called for enhancing the arrest rate through intelligence-based identification of criminals, and stressed the importance of all units, including the Detective Branch (DB), working more effectively to safeguard city residents. The Commissioner also said the police must act with complete neutrality and professionalism to contribute to a successful, inclusive, and festive electoral process, adding that DMP is fully prepared to face any challenges during the election period. 6 ‘muggers’ held over snatching Tk 21 lakh in Mirpur Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Faruq Ahmed urged heightened vigilance against banned political groups and subversive activities and called for improved execution of outstanding arrest warrants. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime & Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam emphasised the need to step up field-level operations to raise the rate of warrant execution and update tenant information in the Central Information Management System (CIMS). He also instructed proper investigation and timely disposal of cases related to the July movement, as well as alertness to prevent sudden processions. The DMP Commissioner issued several directives to attending officers and recognised personnel across various ranks for outstanding performance in crime control, law enforcement and public safety during May. Senior officials, including officers-in-charge of all DMP police stations and other ranking officers, were present at the meeting.

Bangladesh will amend its labour law by November, introducing tougher penalties for child labour, said Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Wednesday. “The amendment process is underway and we aim to finalise it within the next two to three months -- by November at the latest. Besides, penalties related to child labour will be increased several-fold in the draft law,” he said. He made the remarks while talking to reporters at a press briefing marking the World Day Against Child Labour. “There are about 35 lakh child labourers in Bangladesh, according to the current definition, with 10 lakh engaged in hazardous work. We are examining ways to reduce this number and also reconsidering the definition itself,” Sakhawat Hossain said. The adviser also raised questions about cultural and practical scenarios that complicate enforcement, such as children assisting parents in fishing or working as apprentices. “Some children go fishing with their fathers and still attend school. Others are sent by families to learn trades and later become mechanics themselves. These situations are complex.” He urged people not to force children into work as it is a punishable offence.  "However, if children voluntarily take part in light activities outside school hours, we might view that differently," said Sakhwat.  Govt working to ensure faster, affordable justice: Law Adviser Asif Nazrul Drawing attention to the International Labour Organization's (ILO) earlier suggestions to amend various sections of the labour law, the adviser said that the government is actively working on the issue. “While we haven’t had recent discussions with the ILO, they are aware of our ongoing efforts.” “The draft of the child labour section has already been prepared, with higher financial penalties proposed,” he said. Speaking about his recent participation in the 11th ILO Conference in Switzerland, Sakhawat said the government, along with workers' and employers' representatives, spoke in unison in favor of worker-friendly labour law reforms. “That unity was Bangladesh’s biggest achievement at the conference,” he noted. He also said he held discussions with several senior ILO officials who expressed satisfaction over Bangladesh’s progress. “We must complete these reforms before our next engagement with the ILO,” he added.   Bangladesh has also, for the first time, taken over the role of coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) within the ILO, Sakhawat said. World Day Against Child Labour in Bangladesh will be observed across the country on Thursday. Although globally observed on June 12, Bangladesh will mark World Day Against Child Labour on June 19 this year due to a public holiday earlier in the month. This year’s theme is: "Let’s take flight on the wings of dreams, breaking the chains of child labor - move forward with vibrant steps, igniting the fire of hope in the heart.”

Detectives arrested six alleged muggers in connection with the mugging of Tk 21 lakh from a money exchange businessman in the capital’s Mirpur-10 area.  The arrestees were Zafar, 33, Mostafizur Rahman,40, Saikat Hossain alias Dipu Mridha,52, Sohag Hasan, 34, Jalil Molla, 52, and Palash Ahmed,26.  Their arrests followed a series of drives in Dhaka and other areas across the country on Tuesday, said Joint Commissioner (South) of the Detective Branch (DB) under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Nasirul Islam at a press briefing at DMP’s Media Center in Minto Road on Wednesday. During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees confessed to involvement not only in mugging but also in counterfeit money trading, he said.  Ex-Ministers Anisul, Mosharraf, another remanded in 2 cases DB members recovered a portion of the looted cash, a foreign-made pistol, local weapons, and a vehicle used in the mugging incident. Narrating the incident, Nasirul Islam said the gang arrived in a rented microbus and stopped near the target area. Four members got off a short distance from the place of occurrence while others remained in the vehicle. After committing the crime  the perpetrators fled on motorcycles and rejoined the microbus at another location. Investigators identified the microbus by tracing its registration and owner via BRTA records. The owner later recognised one of the suspects from video footage, helping police make the arrests. The mugging took place around 9:30 am on May 27 when Rasel, owner of Mahmud Money Exchange, and his brother-in-law Zahidul Haque Chowdhury were walking from their residence in Mirpur-11 to their business at Mirpur-10, carrying Tk 21 lakh and foreign currencies in a black bag.  Later Zahidul filed a case with Mirpur Model Police Station.