United News of Bangladesh

A 26-year-old man sustained bullet injuries after allegedly being shot by a "teen gang" in the Shaheed Nagar area of Lalbagh in the capital on Thursday night. Injured Md Rafi, son of Md Taizuddin, lives with his family in the area. He is involved in online T-shirt sales. The incident occurred around 8:15pm in the third alley of Shaheed Nagar. Rafi was taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 9:15pm. At the hospital, Rafi alleged that a group of 8-9 youths, including identified drug dealers and alleged teen gang members Emon, Shahbuddin, Mintu and Rezaul, waylaid him around 8:00pm and asked about a person named Shahin. “When I told them that I did not know anyone named Shahin, Emon shot me and they fled the scene,” he said. Rafi added that his family members and friends rescued him and rushed him to the DMCH. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the youth was brought to the hospital with bullet wounds at night. “We have informed the police station concerned of the incident,” he added.

Police have recovered a mobile phone reportedly belonging to the prime suspect, Forkan Mollah, in the Gazipur family murder case, raising suspicion that he may have jumped into the Padma River. However, Gazipur District Superintendent of Police Sharif Uddin said investigators are still not certain whether he died by suicide. “We are not yet sure whether he committed suicide or not,” the SP said while briefing reporters on Thursday afternoon. He said the phone was recovered on May 11 from a truck helper in Meherpur Sadar upazila during the investigation. The helper told police that he had found the device near the railing in the middle of the Padma Bridge and kept it in his possession. After reviewing CCTV footage from the bridge, investigators observed a man wearing a white shirt and black pants stepping out of a white private car on May 11. The man was seen standing beside the bridge railing for several minutes before allegedly jumping into the Padma River. Police suspect that Forkan Mollah may have jumped from the bridge in an apparent suicide attempt after allegedly killing his wife, three daughters, and brother-in-law in a pre-planned attack. “Police stations adjacent to the Padma Bridge have been alerted about the matter. The investigation is ongoing,” SP Sharif Uddin added. Forkan, originally from Meri Gopinathpur village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, worked as a private car driver. He had been living with his wife Sharmin and children in a rented house in Rautkona village of Kapasia upazila for nearly a year. Investigators suspect that sleeping pills or sedative substances were mixed with food to render the victims unconscious before they were hacked to death with sharp weapons. Following a complaint filed by the victim’s father, a murder case was lodged at Kapasia Police Station. Police later recovered the alleged weapon and other evidence from the scene. The bodies of five family members — Sharmin, 35, her three daughters Mim, 16, Maria, 8, Faria, 2, and her brother Rasul, 22 — were found with their throats slit at their home in Kapasia on May 9. Forkan Mollah had been absconding since the incident.

A Gazipur court on Thursday sentenced a man to life imprisonment and two others to different terms jail for killing a man in 2005. Judge of the Gazipur District and Sessions Judge Court-1, Amit Kumar Dey, handed down the punishment The lifer is Abdus Sattar of Sripur upazila in Gazipur district. The court also fined him Tk 1 lakh, in default, to suffer five more years in jail. 3 held with fake currency in Dhaka, Gazipur raids The court also sentenced Ahad to four years imprisonment and fined him Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer one more year in jail. It also sentenced another accused, Abul, to one year imprisonment and fined him Tk 1,000, in default, to suffer three more months in jail. According to the prosecution, Manik Mandal of Sripur upazila in Gazipur district was stabbed to death by the convicts on December 16, 2005. Police submitted a charge sheet against 28 people, among them three accused died during the trial proceedings. After examining records and ten witnesses, the court acquitted 22 accused as the allegations brought against them could not be proved.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday ordered that former minister Dr Dipu Moni, and journalists Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa be shown arrested in a case filed over the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre during a rally of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. The ICT-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order, sending the accused to jail in connection with the case. Earlier on May 7, the tribunal ordered the authorities concerned to produce them before it today, following petitions filed by the prosecution. On the day, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told the tribunal that during the May 5, 2013 crackdown at Shapla Chattar, Dipu Moni was serving as foreign minister and allegedly promoted internationally that law enforcers had “eliminated a group of unruly people.” He further alleged that from the beginning, Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa portrayed Hefazat’s grand rally as provocative in broadcast and later played a role in diverting the Shapla Chattar killings to a different direction and concealing information regarding the deaths. After the hearing, the tribunal ordered that the accused be produced before it on May 14 and fixed June 7 for submission of the investigation report in the case, which is under investigation. Earlier, six people, including former Inspector General of Police Shahidul Hoque, former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and Shahriar Kabir, have been arrested in connection with the case. ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam earlier alleged that Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa had attempted to deliberately divert the Shapla Chattar killings to a different direction and played a role in hiding information related to the deaths. On May 5, he said 58 people killed during the crackdown on the Hefazat rally have been identified. Besides, involvement of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other senior government officials have been found, he said, adding that around 90 percent of the investigation into the incident has been completed and a formal report will be submitted to the tribunal by June 7. On May 5, 2013, Hefazat launched “Dhaka Blockade” programme protesting alleged insult to the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to press for its 13-point agenda. On that day, thousands of religious scholars, madrasah students and supporters gathered in Dhaka and later occupied the Shapla Chattar area in Motijheel. A late-night joint forces operation was carried out when the gathering was dispersed amid gunfire, tear gas and sound grenades. Numerous casualties were reported although exact figures have long been disputed. Different organisations have provided varying estimates of the death toll. Hefazat published a preliminary list of 93 victims in 2025, while human rights group Odhikar reported 61 names in 2021. A 2014 publication titled “Shahidnama” documented 41 deaths. Despite 13 years passing since the incident, the trial has not yet been completed. However, the issue resurfaced following political changes on August 5, 2024. After the July uprising and formation of the interim government, Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi filed a complaint with the ICT naming Sheikh Hasina and several others as accused. The complaint also includes names of former ministers, senior security officials and police chiefs.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has arrested a former salesman in connection with the theft of a large quantity of gold from a jewellery firm at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex in the capital over several years. The arrestee was identified as Krishna Basak, also known as Swapan Basak, 47, son of Gaur Chandra Basak of Daulatpur in Manikganj. CID arrests app developer for alleged role in selling sensitive citizen data A special team of the CID’s Dhaka Metro West Division arrested him from in front of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex on Tuesday noon, according to a CID media statement issued on Wednesday. According to the case, the complainant’s father is the managing director of a jewellery business operating multiple shops at the complex. During a stock check, it was found that 7,550 bhoris of gold ornaments — estimated to be worth around Tk94.37 crore — had been embezzled from the shops at different times between January 2019 and September 2024. Investigators said Krishna Basak had been working as a salesman at the company and, in collusion with others, breached the owner’s trust and misappropriated a large amount of gold. The investigation also found a mismatch between his income and assets. Although he earned a monthly salary of around Tk10,000-Tk15,000, he was found to have accumulated significant wealth. This includes an investment of about Tk 33 lakh in a jewellery business, a flat and car parking worth Tk44.55 lakh, shares worth Tk16.78 lakh in the capital market, and 50 bhoris of gold declared in tax documents. Preliminary findings also indicate unusual transactions in his bank accounts. Police have sought remand to recover the embezzled gold and identify other suspects involved. Earlier, another accused in the case gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The CID’s Dhaka Metro West Division is continuing the investigation and operations to uncover further details and arrest others involved.  

Four fishermen were rescued after a gunfight between forest guards and a gang of robbers at Singartek in Kokilmoni area of the Sundarbans on Wednesday morning. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said during a joint patrol by the Shelarchar patrol team and the Smart Team, the robbers’ presence was detected in Singartek area. When the patrol team conducted a drive the robbers opened fire, triggering a gunfight with the forest guards. About seven rounds were fired during the gunfight and the robbers later fled the scene, leaving behind a trawler and four hostages. After the gunfight, forest guards rescued four fishermen who had been tied up. They also recovered an engine-run boat, a rifle and ammunition left by the robbers. The rescued fishermen are Abdul Barek Khan of Sonatala village in Sharankhola upazila, Md Hasan of the same upazila, Nasim of Batiaghata upazila in Khulna, and Irak Sheikh of Dakop upazila. The DFO said the rescued fishermen are now at the Shelarchar patrol post and arrangements are being made to return them to their families. The robbers involved are believed to be members of the ‘Sharif Bahini’.  

Ankhi Khatun, a mother of three minor children from Naogaon, was granted bail on Wednesday after spending 15 days in jail in a drug-related case. She was released from Naogaon District Jail around 4:00pm following the bail. Ankhi had been imprisoned under a mobile court order. Her husband died in March. With no one to support the family, her three young children were left in distress, often waiting near the jail. The matter drew public attention after a private television channel ran a report on it. Following this, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed the authorities concerned to look into the matter and ensure legal assistance for the woman. Following his instructions, local BNP leaders, led by Mahadevpur upazila BNP President Rabiul Alam Bullet, stepped in to provide legal support for the woman. Subsequently, the court granted her bail after due process. Public Prosecutor of the Naogaon District and Sessions Judge’s Court Md Shahriar said he was instructed to take necessary steps so the woman receives justice in accordance with the law. He said after the matter was placed before Senior District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Raknuzzaman, the court asked the defence to file a petition. The accused’s lawyer, Advocate Abu Zayed Mohammad Rafiqul Alam Rafiq, submitted the application and after hearing both sides, the court granted bail to the woman. After her release, Ankhi held her children close, as if trying to make up for every lost moment. Tears streamed down her face – not of sorrow alone, but of relief, of love, of finally being home. Her children clung to her, feeling a warmth they had missed every single day. It was more than just a reunion—it was a healing of broken time. In that moment, the world seemed kinder. The Prime Minister’s humanitarian initiative did not just free a woman—it restored a family, rekindled love, and gave lost hearts a new direction in the darkness.  

A court in Sylhet on Tuesday acquitted missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali and 37 other leaders and activists of the party in a case filed over the torching of a bus in 2011, which left one passenger dead. Judge Md Shariful Islam the District and Sessions Judge Court delivered the verdict. Among those acquitted are senior BNP leaders and activists, including Advocate Samsuzzaman Jamal and ATM Fayez. 3 to die, 6 get life in prison for killing Rajbari village doctor The case was filed after a bus was set on fire and another bus was vandalised on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in South Surma’s Badikona area during a programme on December 18, 2011, leaving a passenger dead. According to the case statement, the victim was later identified as Kazi Nasir, 70, father of film actress Shabnur, nearly two weeks after being buried as an unclaimed body. He was reportedly travelling to Sylhet for a cultural programme when the incident occurred. Police had filed one murder case and another under the Speedy Trial Act over the incident against BNP leaders and activists, including Ilias Ali, who has been missing since April 2012.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday sentenced three persons to death and six others including a former Union Parishad chairman, to life imprisonment for killing a village doctor in 2019. Judge of the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunl-1 Rahibul Islam handed down the punishment. The condemned convicts are—Babul Sardar, Tekon Sardar and Gaziar Sardar of Goalanda upazila in Rajbari district. Over 40 lakh pending cases: Govt moves to fast-track lower court cases Those who get life imprisonment are-former chairman of Debgram Union Parishad Ator Ali, Raihan Sardar, Habibur Rahman alias Hobi Sardar, Helal Khan, Zillur Rahman and Zia Mandal. Except Zillur and Zia Mandal, seven convicts were tried in absentia and the court issued arrest warrant for them. According to the prosecution, Babul Sardar, a Jubo League leader and son of former chairman Ator Ali had an altercation with former chairman of Debgram Union Parishad Hafizul Islam Babul Sardar during Awami League council in Goalanda upazila on October 14, 2019. In a row, the supporters of Bubul sardar led by Ator Ali took position at Ali Bazar intersection point and beat the supporters of Hafizul Chairman while passing through the road. Rezaul Karim alias Abu doctor also beat up mercilessly by the supporters of Babul Sardar while passing through the road, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital from where he was referred to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A case was filed in this connection. Police submitted chargesheet against 22 people on October 5, 2022. After examining records and witnesses, the court acquitted 12 others as allegations brought against them could not be proved.

Detectives have arrested five members of an inter-district robbery gang along with illegal firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, crude bombs and motorcycles in a special drive in Jatrabari area of the capital. The arrestees are Md Liton Jabbar ,52, Ismail Hossain Mamun,55, Md Babul Babu 45, Ayub Bhuiyan,30 and Md Roman,35. They were arrested on Monday from Dayaganj to Jatrabari Shahid Faruk Road area under Jatrabari Police Station. According to DB police, tipped off, a team conducted a drive after learning that members of the inter-district robbery gang were gathering in front of Modern Bikalpo Wooden Furniture shop in the area for committing a robbery. During the operation, police arrested them and recovered two pistols, two magazines, seven rounds of bullet, 2.2 kg of explosives, one machete and two motorcycles from their possession, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) NM Nasiruddin. During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees reportedly confessed that they had long been collecting firearms, gunpowder and bomb-making materials from the border area of Jashore and preparing crude bombs. They later supplied these to different criminal groups in Dhaka and used them to create panic and carry out robberies. Nasiruddin said two separate cases have been filed with Jatrabari Police Station in this connection. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are under way.