United News of Bangladesh

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Saturday said the government is committed to completing the trial of the Ramisa murder case in the shortest possible time. “We will complete this case as quickly as possible,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Integrated Initiative, Responsibility and Implementation Strategy in Legal Aid’held at BRAC Centre Auditorium in the capital’s Mohakhali. The workshop was jointly organised by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) and BRAC Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) Programme. Responding to journalists’ queries on how long the trial might take after submission of the charge sheet, the minister cited past examples. “It took one month to complete the trial after the charge sheet in the Magura Asiya murder case. There is also the example of the 1948 Muluk Chand case, where the trial was completed in a single day,” he said. He added that filing a charge sheet without following legal provisions could create a “fatal injury” for prosecution. “DNA is very important evidence in such cases. When we have the opportunity to conduct DNA testing, we must do it,” he said. The minister said efforts are underway to obtain the DNA report of the Ramisa case within 72 hours, although it usually takes several weeks or months. He added that the matter is among the government’s top priorities. He also noted that government holidays for Eid will begin from May 25. “If we can receive the DNA report before Eid and submit the charge sheet before the holidays, the trial process can begin immediately after Eid,” he said. Expressing the government’s commitment to ensuring speedy justice, he said, “We hope we will be able to meet the expectations of people at home and abroad.” “If we go in the wrong direction, you will criticise us and guide us. We will not be reluctant in this regard,” he added. Responding to a question on rising incidents of child rape, the minister termed it part of social degradation and said law enforcement agencies are working with utmost vigilance. He also stressed strengthening public awareness and building trust in the justice system. He said although death sentences are awarded by trial courts, their implementation requires approval from the higher court. When asked about the recent rape and pregnancy incident involving a madrasa student in Netrokona, the minister said the government is closely monitoring the matter. Officials including Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division Khadem Ul Kays and Director General of the National Legal Aid Services Organisation Monjurul Hossain attended the programme, chaired by NLASO DG Monjurul Hossain. Representatives from various human rights organisations, including BLAST, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and UNDP, also took part in the open discussion. The minister further said the government aims to ensure legal aid services reach grassroots people. “Our goals and objectives are the same,” he said, emphasising collaboration between government and non-government initiatives to support the poor, helpless and marginalised. On anti-discrimination laws, he said, “If there are any discriminatory provisions in laws, we will try to remove them. We want to work in a parallel manner.”

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members fired two blank shots targeting suspected Indian smugglers along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district early Friday. The incident took place around 2:30am in the West Giarpara border area under Patgram upazila, according to a press release. However, no casualties were reported. According to BGB, a patrol team from Kolsimukh Border Outpost (BOP) under Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) was conducting routine patrol duties near main pillar-806 when they spotted a group of suspected smugglers entering Bangladesh from India, around 200 yards inside Bangladeshi territory. When challenged by the patrol team, the suspects allegedly ignored repeated warnings and continued advancing towards BGB members. To bring the situation under control and warn the group, the patrol team, acting on instructions from higher authorities and under the directive of patrol commander Nayeb Subedar Rafiqul Islam, fired two blank shots. Following the gunfire, the suspected smugglers fled back into Indian territory, the paramilitary force said. Lt Col Naziur Rahman, commanding officer of Rangpur 51 BGB responsible for the Patgram border, confirmed the incident, saying the smugglers attempted to enter Bangladesh after crossing beyond the Indian border fence.

At least four people, including a policeman and two journalists, were injured after police fired blank shots to disperse a crowd trying to snatch a man accused in an attempted rape case in Chattogram city on Thursday night. The incident took place in the Chairmanghata area of Bakalia. According to police and locals, Monir Hossain, 35, an employee of a decoration shop in the area, allegedly attempted to rape a four-year-old girl after taking her inside the shop.  As news of the incident spread, angry locals took to the streets and staged protests in the evening. Police later arrived at the scene and detained the accused. However, while taking him to the police station, an agitated crowd blocked the police vehicle and demanded that he be handed over to them. The protesters also set fire to a police vehicle, damaging it completely. At one stage, police fired blank shots to bring the situation under control, leaving four people injured, including two journalists and a constable. The injured journalists were identified as Mamun Abdullah and Nobel Hasan. According to journalists present at the scene, Mamun was hit in the waist and Nobel in the hand and leg by bullets while they were livestreaming on Facebook. They were first taken to Chattogram General Hospital and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Bakalia Police Station Mohammad Solaiman said the situation was brought under control around 11:30pm and the accused was taken into custody. The child was sent to hospital for a medical examination, he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said police are expected to submit the charge sheet in the Ramisa Akter murder case to the court by Sunday afternoon. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the family of slain child Ramisa at Pallabi in the capital at night. “The police department has sincerely carried out its duty and successfully arrested the accused. The accused has also given a confessional statement under Section 164. Now it is time to submit the charge sheet. Before that, the DNA test has to be completed,” the minister said. He said the DNA examination is already underway at the laboratory of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police with court approval. “The DNA test process usually takes 48 hours as it is a scientific procedure. We hope it will be completed by Sunday noon and, InshaAllah, we will be able to submit the charge sheet to the court by Sunday afternoon,” Salahuddin said. He said efforts will be made to complete the trial proceedings as quickly as possible and ensure the highest punishment for the accused. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Ramisa’s residence at 9:50pm and stayed there for about 18 minutes. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan accompanied him. The Prime Minister met Ramisa’s parents and elder sister, and consoled the grieving family members over the brutal killing. After the meeting, the Home Minister said the Prime Minister assured the family that the government will bear all educational and related expenses of Ramisa’s elder sister Raisa Akter. He also said the Prime Minister promised to arrange safe accommodation for the family within a short time. Salahuddin said the government is considering legal reforms to ensure quicker investigation and trial in cases involving child rape and murder. “If further legal changes are needed to ensure speedy submission of charge sheets and quick disposal of such cases, necessary amendments will be made,” he said. The minister said the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday and the Law Minister assured that necessary legal reforms will be undertaken. “We will try to ensure that such heinous crimes are not repeated in the country,” he added. Asked what the family sought from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister said the family mainly wanted speedy and fair trial. “They also sought support so that their other daughter can live safely, continue her studies and have a better future. The Prime Minister assured them of assistance,” he said. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the family expressed satisfaction over the swift arrest of the accused and the legal steps taken so far. Police recovered the mutilated and decapitated body of seven-year-old Ramisa from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday morning. The brutal killing sparked protests among classmates and local residents outside the victim’s residence, where they demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for the killer.

Police have arrested three people, including the prime suspect, in connection with the murder of a young man in the Shahidnagar area under Lalbagh Police Station in the capital. The arrestees are Md Emon alias Baburchi Emon, 24, identified as the main accused, along with Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul. Police also recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets during a raid at a house in Keraniganj based on information provided by Emon, said NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Thursday night. According to police sources, Md Rafi, 25, was shot by unidentified assailants at the entrance of Lane No. 3 in Shahidnagar under Lalbagh Police Station around 8:30pm on May 14. Locals and family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died around 9:30am on Wednesday. Following the shooting, police launched drives in different parts of the capital and arrested Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul on Monday. Based on information gathered from them and other intelligence inputs, police traced the location of Md Emon and arrested him in Cox’s Bazar Sadar on Wednesday. Later, acting on information provided by Emon, police recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets from a house in Keraniganj. Police said investigation was underway to uncover the full motive behind the killing.  

A local leader of BNP was stabbed to death by some miscreants at Kaunda in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj district early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Osman Goni, office secretary of Araihazar Upazila unit BNP and son of Abdur Rashid of Boro Binai Char in the upazila. Witnesses said a group of armed miscreants waylaid Osman Goni, also the general secretary of Brahmandi union unit BNP, on Wednesday night and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital from there he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at night. Mahfuz Bhuiyan Babul, a witness said, “We had bought a piece of land in Kaundar Chak, and workers were cutting soil from there and loading it onto a dump truck. I was sitting in the vehicle when a group of armed, masked men suddenly attacked Osman Goni.” He said that a group had been demanding a large sum of money from them for some time. “As we did not agree, they brutally killed Osman Gani,” he added. Angered by the incident, local people blocked Araihazar-Bhulta road at Boro Binair Char area by burning tyres and staged demonstrations demanding exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing. They also set fire on a number of motorbikes on the road, halting vehicular movement for two hours. Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle C) Mehedi Islam, said those who were involved in the killing will be brought to book and already four people were arrested in this connection.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said exemplary punishment would be ensured in the shortest possible time in the brutal rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. He said police will investigate the murder and submit the charge sheet as quickly as possible, the minister said at a press conference on recent issues at the conference room of the Home Ministry at Secretariat. “The remaining legal process is the responsibility of the Law Ministry. We hope exemplary punishment will be ensured as soon as possible,” he said. He also said police are arresting many criminals who had long remained beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies. Earlier in the day, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner to submit the probe report within one week over the murder. The minister said steps will be taken to complete the trial proceedings of the murder case in the shortest possible time. “The government will do everything possible to ensure the speedy completion of the trial over the murder of the child,” he added. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was slaughtered by a tenant of their next-door flat at Pallabi in the capital on Tuesday. The suspect – Sohel Rana – reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat in the morning. Later, he raped the girl and slaughtered her. The girl’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head inside a bucket in the bathroom. Locals detained suspect’s wife Swapna Akter, though Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj in the evening of the same day. On Wednesday, Sohel gave a statement before a Dhaka court confessing to his guilt.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced Bidisha Siddique, former wife of late Jatiya Party Chairman and former President HM Ershad, to two years’ imprisonment in a fraud case involving a flat. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam delivered the verdict in the absence of the convict. The court also fined her Tk 10,000, with an additional one month’s imprisonment in default of payment, and issued a warrant for her arrest. The case was filed at Gulshan Police Station on February 2, 2008 by businessman AKM Mosharraf Hossain Sikdar of Dhaka’s Pallabi area. According to the case statement, Mosharraf paid Bidisha Tk 75 lakh on July 10, 2001 for a flat in Baridhara that was supposed to be handed over by July 10, 2002. However, despite the passage of several years, the flat was not handed over, the complaint said. Later, Bidisha allegedly issued a cheque for Tk 72 lakh on February 9, 2005, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds. The complainant also alleged that instead of returning the money or handing over the flat, Bidisha delayed the matter on various pretexts and later threatened to kill him.

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in education, skills development and employability. Senior officials from both countries discussed opportunities for collaboration on the sidelines of the Education World Forum 2026 in London on Wednesday. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Adviser to the Prime Minister Mahdi Amin held a meeting with Jonathan Ledger, International Education Strategy Delivery Lead at the UK Department for Business and Trade, on the sidelines of the forum. Senior representatives from Pearson, Cambridge Partnership for Education, and UK-based skills and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions also joined the meeting. During the meeting, the Minister and the Adviser highlighted the government’s priority to deliver quality education, with a particular focus on enhancing students’ employability, making them job-ready, strengthening industry-academia linkages, and developing demand- and market-driven curricula and TVET systems. The UK side shared its experience of working with different countries in line with their respective national needs and priorities.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police will follow a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against extortion, mugging, drugs, juvenile gangs, online gambling and cyber fraud in the capital, newly appointed DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said on Wednesday. The remark came at a “Meet the Press” programme held at the DMP media centre in the capital. He also warned that no offender would be spared on the basis of political or social identity. Referring to the challenges of maintaining law and order in a city of nearly 30 million people, he said mugging, drugs, extortion, juvenile gangs, online gambling, cyber fraud and hacking have become major concerns in Dhaka. To tackle such crimes, DMP launched a special drive from May 1 and its cyber unit is being further strengthened to prevent cybercrimes, he said.  He said digital forensic lab established at the Detective Branch (DB) office recently received is expected to help investigations. On traffic congestion in the capital, the DMP commissioner said several initiatives have been taken to modernise traffic management through technology. AI-based cameras have been installed on important road intersections and an e-prosecution system has also been introduced based on video footage, he added. He also said citizens are now able to file General Diaries (GDs) online while services such as ‘Hello DMP’ has been launched. The DMP commissioner said special security measures would be taken across the capital ahead of the Eid al-Azha. Additional police personnel will be deployed at cattle markets, Eid congregations, shopping malls and residential areas, he said, adding that security has already been tightened at bus terminals, railway stations and launch terminals. Action will also be taken against overcharging passengers and carrying excess passengers during the Eid rush, he added. Requesting citizens to seek police assistance while carrying large sums of money, t he DMP commissioner said DB and local police stations have been kept on maximum alert to prevent crimes by organised gangs, including drugging gangs, muggers and counterfeit currency syndicates during the Eid period. He also called on people to promptly inform police about any criminal activity and contact the national emergency service 999 when necessary. Urging the media to play a constructive role, he said journalists should not only criticize police but also highlight their positive work so that city residents become more aware.