United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Sunday directed authorities not to harass or arrest former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in any new cases. At the same time, the court issued a rule asking why showing Ivy as “shown arrested” in successive cases should not be declared illegal. A bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury issued the rule upon a petition, asking the home secretary, law secretary and 14 others to respond. The order was confirmed by Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju, who appeared for Ivy alongside senior lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain. Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju said Ivy has already secured bail in 10 cases from the High Court, but was recently shown arrested in two new cases. Challenging the legality of such actions, a writ petition was filed, following which the court issued the rule and directive. Ivy was arrested from her Deobhog residence in Narayanganj on May 9 last year and later shown arrested in multiple cases. She was initially granted bail in five cases by the High Court, which was later stayed by the Appellate Division. She was subsequently shown arrested in further cases, bringing the total number of cases against her to 12, according to the petition.

A man has been arrested in a case filed over an extortion attempt targeting a foreign firm in Madhabdi municipality of Narsingdi. Police arrested the key accused, Rony, from a local market and produced him before the Narsingdi Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on Saturday. The court granted a three-day remand after hearing the case. According to the case statement, a group of alleged local extortionists, including Md Roni, Sifat, Md Johnny, Helal Mia and 3–4 unidentified persons, went to Amigo Polyfiber Company Limited on April 14. They allegedly used force and intimidation against company staff and demanded a monthly extortion fee of Tk 40,000 from the Chinese owner. The group also threatened to vandalise and set fire to the factory if the demand was not met. Following the incident, Hasibul Hossain, an interpreter working for the company, filed a complaint with Madhabdi Police Station. Police later registered a case under Sections 4 and 5 of the Speedy Trial Act on charges of disturbing law and order. Meanwhile, Hasibul Hossain held a press conference at the Narsingdi Press Club on Saturday, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the extortion attempt.  

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested four people for allegedly defrauding students by promising leaked question papers of the ongoing SSC and equivalent examinations. The arrestees are Sifat Ahmed Sajib, Mohammad Salman, Mezbaul Alam Mahin and Mohammad Mohiuzzaman Munna. Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road in the city on Saturday, CTTC Joint Commissioner Munshi Shahabuddin said the suspects were involved in collecting money from students and guardians through false assurances of providing question papers. According to him, CTTC’s Online and Intelligence Analysis Division detected a Facebook page titled “SSC 2026 Question Paper First Group” on April 20 while monitoring social media. Using technological tools, the unit analysed the page and conducted a drive in Ashulia’s Tajpur area in Dhaka district on the same day around 8:30pm, arresting Sajib. Based on his confession and further analysis, Salman was arrested from Dhunat in Bogura on April 23 while Mahin was arrested the same day from Dadonpur Malipara area of Nawabganj in Dinajpur. Later, acting on information provided by the detainees, CTTC conducted another drive on April 24 and arrested Munna from the Shah Sharif Zindani (R) shrine adjacent area under Naogaon union in Tarash, Sirajganj. Shahabuddin said cases have been filed against all four and they are being interrogated under remand. A court has granted a two-day remand for further questioning. He added that the group had been carrying out such fraudulent activities for a long time. “Information obtained so far shows no match between the actual question papers of the ongoing examinations and those provided by the group. They were mainly engaged in fraud to gain financially and to undermine the integrity of the examination system,” he said. Replying to a question, the CTTC chief said mobile phones used by the suspects have been sent for forensic examination, and efforts are underway to determine the duration of their activities and the amount of money involved. A special CTTC team is continuing the investigation, he added.

CTTC cyber intelligence team is working and there is no reason to panic, said Joint Commissioner of CTTC Munshi Shahabuddin over  a recent alert issued by Police Headquarters about possible sabotage attempts targeting key installations. “We have received the information and our CTTC cyber intelligence team is working on it,” he said in response to questions from reporters at a press conference held at the DMP Media Centre in the city. However, he did not provide specific details about any particular group or organisation. Police Headquarters recently issued an instruction to the police units concerned to strengthen security measures at vulnerable areas and remain on high alert over possible attacks targeting key installations including the National Parliament building. Although the message did not mention the name of any group it referred to the recent arrest of a suspected member Ishtiaq Ahmed Sami alias Abu Bakkar alisas Abu Mohammad. The message also said that the arrestee had regular contact with two dismissed army personnel.

The Bangladesh Army has rescued six rubber plantation workers, who were abducted from Tankabati union in Bandarban Sadar upazila on Wednesday. The workers were rescued a from a remote hill on Friday morning following a coordinated rescue operation conducted by the Bandarban Army Zone, according to the Army. It said a large number of Army personnel launched the rescue mission on Thursday, covering multiple possible locations in the hilly terrain, based on intelligence inputs. During the drive that continued till 5:00am on Friday, the Army men located the place where the abducted workers were being held in a remote hill. Sensing the presence of security forces, the abductors fled the scene, leaving the victims behind. Army personnel then rescued all six workers safely. During the operation, one suspect identified as Mangtang Mro, 30, son of Parao Mro of Lakri Para in Tankabati, was also detained for questioning. Earlier, on April 22 around 11:30pm, an armed group abducted the six workers from Ismail’s Rubber Plantation area in Tankabati union. The following day, the abductors contacted the plantation owner Mohammad Ismail, demanding Tk 20 lakh as ransom and threatened to kill the victims if the demand was not met or if law enforcers were informed. Following the incident, the Army immediately launched a special rescue operation in the remote hilly terrain, conducting continuous search efforts.  

An NGO worker was hacked and robbed of around Tk 1 lakh by alleged muggers in Durgapur municipality of Rajshahi district on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred in the Singa Paschimpara area under the municipality. Injured Shahinur Rahman, 29, son of Shahjahan Ali of Buriganj area in Shibganj upazila of Bogura, works as a field officer for SEED. His colleague Monira Khatun was with him during the incident. Police said Shahinur and Monira were returning to their office on a motorcycle after collecting instalment payments when their vehicle ran out of fuel on a road south of a mill in Singa Paschimpara. At that time, two unidentified youths wearing helmets arrived on a motorcycle and began recording video on their mobile phones. As Shahinur objected, this led to an argument. At one stage, the assailants took out a machete from a bag and attacked Shahinur, leaving him with serious injuries to his right arm and fingers of his left hand. He fell to the ground. The attackers then snatched a bag from Monira containing around Tk 1 lakh, which had been collected as instalments. Locals rescued Shahinur and first took him to Durgapur Upazila Health Complex. He was later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition worsened. Rafiqul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Durgapur Police Station, stated that legal action will be taken after investigation.  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Acting Commissioner Md Sarwar on Thursday said a total of 11,000 CCTV cameras will be installed across the capital to control juvenile gangs, theft, mugging and other crimes, with 700 cameras to be set up in Mohammadpur alone. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Basila Police Camp of Mohammadpur in the city on Thursday. Describing Mohammadpur as a crime-prone area, the DMP chief said the installation of 700 CCTV cameras there aims to curb activities of juvenile gangs, terrorism and mugging. He also announced that another police outpost will be established in the area. He noted that additional police forces have already been deployed at the newly inaugurated outpost in Mohammadpur. Besides, additional Deputy Commissioners (ADC), Assistant Commissioners (AC) and Patrol Inspectors have been assigned to 50 thanas across the capital, while 600 more police members will be recruited. Replying to a question regarding incidents of killing in Mohammadpur Geneva Camp after August 5, 2024, Sarwar said law enforcement agencies are taking effective measures. “We have intensified intelligence activities in the area. Alongside police, RAB and DB are working,” he said, adding that efforts have been strengthened further under the new government. He said members of juvenile gangs are involved in various criminal activities using sharp weapons and that authorities are working to identify and bring them to justice. When asked whether police see any threat in tackling such crimes, the commissioner said, “We are not considering anything as a threat; rather, we are taking it as a challenge.” He added that more officers and forces will be deployed at Mohammadpur outposts, and necessary arrangements, including accommodation facilities, will be expanded.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver along with a pistol and a magazine at a checkpost in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday night. Mohammad Hamid, 39, son of Abdul Jabbar from Hnila Phulerdale area of Teknaf, was detained at the Hoi Kang checkpost under the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB). According to BGB, a Cox’s Bazar-bound auto-rickshaw from Hnila was signalled to stop at the checkpost. However, the driver ignored the signal and attempted to flee at high speeds. BGB personnel, however, managed to intercept the vehicle. Later, a search of the auto-rickshaw led to the recovery of a 9mm pistol and a magazine concealed beneath the driver’s seat. During primary interrogation, Hamid confessed that he had collected the weapon from a Rohingya robber and was transporting it to the Palangkhali area. The accused, along with the firearm, was handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further action. Commanding Officer of Ukhiya BGB Battalion Lt Col Md Zahirul Islam said the force remains vigilant to prevent arms trafficking and smuggling along the border, adding that such drives will continue.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday granted bail to a Jubo Mohila League activist in an attempted murder case linked to the July uprising, paving the way for her release along with her one-and-a-half-month-old infant. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after hearing a review petition filed by the defence. The court granted bail on a bond of Tk 5,000, effective until submission of the police report. Earlier in the day, the investigation officer of the case – Sub-Inspector Sheikh Nazrul of Tejgaon Police Station Islam – sought a court order to keep the accused – Shilpi Begum – in jail. Ex-Speaker Shirin Sharmin walks out of jail on bail Following hearings from both sides, Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Junaid initially rejected her bail and ordered her to be sent to jail. Shilpi Begum, an activist of Dhaka North Jubo Mohila League’s ward No. 26, was arrested on Monday evening from the Tejkunipara Railway Colony area. She was produced before the court around 2:00pm on Tuesday, where several family members, including her husband, sister and aunt, were present. Family members told the court that Shilpi had given birth to the baby through a caesarean section on March 4 and is still physically weak. They said she is unable to properly breastfeed or even hold the baby due to complications, including a fractured left arm from a recent fall. Despite family appeals to keep the infant with them, police did not permit separation, and both mother and child were later taken to Kashimpur Jail. According to the case statement, Dhaka University student Tahmid Mubin Ratul was shot in the Chankharpool area on July 16, 2024, and later attacked along with fellow students at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. On July 23, a group of 120-130 people allegedly attacked his residence in Tejgaon, vandalising property worth Tk 5 lakh and looting goods valued at Tk 3 lakh. The case was filed on January 25, 2025 by Ratul’s mother Shahnur Khanam at Tejgaon Police Station, naming 103 accused, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

A court here on Tuesday sentenced seven people, including four brothers, to death for killing a college student in Tarakanda upazila in 2021. Mymensingh District and Session Judge Mohammad Zakir Hossain also awarded seven years’ imprisonment to two women. The condemned convicts are Yunus Ali alias Yunus Ali, 62, his brothers Mohammad Ali, 52, Golam Hossain alias Gulu, 51, and Shamsul Haque, 44, sons of Jasim Uddin of Palashkanda Tanpara in the upazila; Asif Rana Naim, 24, son of Golam Hossain, Abdul Helim, 51, son of Abdul Mannan, and Farid Ahmed alias Babu, 19, son of Mohammad Ali. 5 get life imprisonment for killing farmer in Mymensingh The court also fined them Tk 50,000 each. The two other convicts are Khaleda Akter, wife of Mohammad Ali, and Rehena Khatun, wife of Yunus Ali. They were fined Tk 25,000 and in case of failure, they will have to serve one year more in prison. According to the prosecution, Shahinur Alam alias Iqbal, a student of Rumdo Institute of Modern Technology (RIMT), went missing on May 31, 2021, prompting his father Abdur Rauf to lodge a general diary in this connection. Later, police recovered Iqbal’s decomposed body from a septic tank at Palashkanda Tanpara village on June 5, 2021. Victim’s brother Selim Mia filed a murder case on June 6, 2021, accusing Asif Rana and his associates. Police submitted a charge sheet against nine individuals.