United News of Bangladesh

A total of 131 leaders and activists of  Awami League and its associate bodies were arrested in Dhaka on Tuesday for participating in flash processions in various parts of the capital. They were arrested throughout the day in different areas under the DMP, said Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the DMP Talebur Rahman. Among the arrestees, six were arrested by Uttra East police, two by Uttara West police , 24 by Gulshan police, four by Khilkhet police  and  three by Cantonment police. Besides, Dhanmondi thana police arrested six people, New Market police arrested six, Shahbagh thana police arrested three, Mohammadpur thana police arrested eight, Hatirjheel thana police arrested one, Paltan thana police arrested six, and Motijheel police arrested 40 people and  DB (Wari zone) of DMP arrested 22 others. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are underway, the DMP added.

Severely injured Zobayed had sought help knocking on Barsha’s door but she refused to assist and then he died due to excessive bleeding, said police. Briefing reporters at DMP media centre on Tuesday, DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime & Operations) Nazrul Islam said Mahir and Barsha had been in a relationship for about one and a half years.  Later, Barsha developed a romantic relationship with Zobayed, which Mahir could not accept. Following repeated disputes, Barsha instigated Mahir to kill Zobayed, he said. Mahir then shared the plan with his friend Aylan and the two bought a switch-gear knife at Tk 500 from Bowbazar in South Keraniganj, he said. “On the day of the incident, Barsha informed Mahir when Zobayed would arrive at her house for tuition. As soon as Zobayed reached the building, Mahir confronted him and stabbed him in the neck during an altercation,” said Nazrul Islam. Suspect Mahir surrenders over JnU student murder Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh zone) Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, who was also present at the press conference, said Barsha confessed that Zobayed’s last words were, “Save me,” to which she replied, “If you don’t move away, I can’t be with Mahir.” Police later conducted operations in South Keraniganj, Paltan and Bangshal areas and arrested three accused on Monday night. The arrestees are Md. Mahir Rahman, 19, Barjis Shabnam Barsha, 19, and Fardeen Ahmed Aylan, 20. The murder took place around 4:30 pm on Sunday (October 19) in Noor Box Lane area under Bangshal police station in Old Dhaka.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a couple involved in producing content for international pornography websites from a rented apartment in Bandarban’s Rowangchhari Bus Station area, on Monday. The arrested duo, Mohammad Azim and his wife Brishti, both 28, had been running content creation operations that drew global viewership, and was first reported by The Dissent, a Bangladeshi website.  According to initial investigations, their first video was published in May 2024, and within a year, they had released 112 videos viewed more than 26.7 million times. Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police Zinia Chakma said, “The CID team from Dhaka conducted the operation following verification of information with the help of digital technology.” Bandarban Police Station officer-in-charge Md. Parvez informed that the couple was taken to Dhaka early Monday morning and are now in CID custody. CID Senior Officer Josim Uddin Khan told reporters that the couple posed as fruit traders while staying in Bandarban. “They had been actively uploading content to multiple international adult platforms while promoting themselves as models on social media, including Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram,” he said. The couple allegedly recruited new content creators by offering cash incentives via Telegram channels and encouraged others to join the industry. Mastermind behind porn ring among 6 held for 'embezzling Tk30 crore through livestreaming' Investigators noted that despite coming from a modest background with limited education, the pair showcased a luxurious lifestyle online. During the raid, the CID seized mobile phones, SIM cards, cameras, tripods, and other equipment used to produce adult content. Legal proceedings are underway, including filing regular cases against Mohammad Azim and Brishti, submitting them to court, and seeking their remand. According to CID, investigations and operations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other involved members.  

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday approved the chargesheet against 26 individuals, including former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman and former Janata Bank Chairman Dr. Abul Barakat. The ACC will soon submit the chargesheet to the court in connection with a case over the embezzlement of Tk 1,130 crore in the name of loans from Janata Bank. ACC Assistant Director Tanzir Ahmed said the commission approved the chargesheet after the investigation found the allegations of embezzling Tk 1,130 crore under the guise of loans to be true. Three of the accused named in the original case have been released from charges as the allegations against them were not proven. According to the chargesheet, despite being ineligible, 22 companies of the AnonTex Group were granted loans of Tk 531.43 crore based on fake documents and by relaxing the usual conditions. With accumulated interest, the total amount now stands at Tk 1,130.18 crore. The individuals named in the chargesheet are: Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman, Deputy Governor Abu Hena Mohammad Razi, former Janata Bank Chairman Dr. Abul Barakat, AnonTex Group Chairman Md. Yunus Badal, former Executive Director Naushad Ali Chowdhury, former Janata Bank Director Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director of Suprav Spinning Ltd. Md. Anwar Hossain, Janata Bank officials Abduch Salam Azad, Azmul Haque, Ajay Kumar Ghosh, Golam Azam, Md. Shahjahan, Emdadul Haque, Golam Faruk, Md. Imdadul Haque, Nagibul Islam Dipu, Dr. R.M. Debnath, Sangeeta Ahmed, Professor Nitai Chandra Nag, K.M. Sarwar Rashid, Ahmed Shahnoor Hossain, Iftikhar Uz Zaman, A.K.M. Ashraf Uddin Khan, and Md. Golam Sarwar.

Mahir Rahman, one of the suspects in the murder of Jagannath University (JnU) student Zubayed Hossain, has surrendered to the police. Following overnight raids at various locations, Mahir's mother handed him over to Bangshal Police Station early Monday morning. Mahir is a first-year student at Burhanuddin College. Police said that Mahir’s mother appeared at the station at dawn on Monday (October 20) and surrendered him to law enforcement. As of now, no case has been officially filed in connection with the incident. Three people have been detained in connection with the murder, Lalbagh Zone Deputy Commissioner Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, said on Monday evening (October 20). He said, “In a special operation, we have so far detained three suspects. However, we will not disclose their identities at this moment for the sake of the investigation. We will brief the media in detail tomorrow morning.” On Sunday afternoon, Zubayed Hossain — a student of the Statistics Department (2019–20 session) and a member of the JnU Chhatra Dal convening committee — was murdered while tutoring in the Armanitola area of Dhaka. His bloodied body was recovered from a staircase inside a residential building. Around 1 pm on Monday, Zubayed’s body was brought from Mitford Hospital to the Jagannath University campus, where thousands of students gathered in mourning. His namaz-e-janaza was held at 1:45 pm in the presence of his father and other family members. Later, his body was taken to his hometown in Homna upazila of Cumilla district for burial. Meanwhile, police detained and questioned Zubayed’s tuition student, Bargis Shabnam Barsha, in connection with the case. Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bangshal Police Station, said there had been a romantic relationship between Barsha and Mahir Rahman, who grew up as neighbours in Armanitola. Zubayed’s elder brother, Enayet Hossain Saikat, said that the family intends to file a case against Barsha, her parents, Mahir, and another individual named Nafis. However, he alleged that the OC discouraged naming too many individuals in the complaint, warning that it could weaken the case.  

DB police have arrested Sohel Rosario, identified as the key suspect in a case filed over the rape of a private university student in Savar on October 14. Officer-in-Charge Jalal Uddin of Dhaka District North Detective Branch confirmed the arrest on Monday morning, saying that Sohel, 37, was detained from Kaliganj in Gazipur on Sunday night following multiple raids. Police said Sohel, son of Santosh Rosario of Goalpara area under Komlapur in Birulia Union, Savar, is now in DB custody and will be handed over to the concerned police station. The second suspect, Biplob Rosario aka Tilok, 40, remains absconding, while the third accused, Mithun Biswas, 35, was earlier arrested from Tejkunipara area in Dhaka’s Tejgaon on Saturday night. University student ‘gang-raped’ in Savar, 3 sued He has since been placed on a two-day remand. According to the case statement, the incident occurred on the evening of October 14, when the victim, a second-year student of International Relations at a private university, was allegedly raped by Sohel and his two accomplices. According to police, the accused lured her to a tin-shed house in Goailpara, Komlapur, on the pretext of dropping her home after a private tutoring session near Begunbari School in Birulia Union. The survivor later filed a case with Savar Model Police Station.  

The government has decided the trial of the cases filed over the killings during the July Uprising, except those already under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal, will be held at Speedy Trial Tribunals, said Law Ministry spokesperson Dr Md Rezaul Karim on Monday. Besides, the Law Ministry has formed a special committee headed by Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division to strengthen and streamline the prosecution of cases involving murder and other serious crimes during the period, A total of 837 cases have been filed across the country over killings and other atrocities committed during the July Uprising. Among them, 45 cases are currently being tried in the International Crimes Tribunal while police have already submitted charge sheets in 19 murder cases in different criminal courts. Chankharpul killings: Tribunal orders protection for witness facing security threat The committee’s key responsibilities include compiling a complete list of all cases filed over killings and other serious crimes committed during July Uprising along with their current status;  identifying any procedural or operational challenges in prosecuting charge-sheeted cases (excluding those under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal) and submitting recommendations to the government for necessary action; andperiodically informing affected families and the public about the progress of its work. The Law Ministry officials said the initiative aims to ensure effective prosecution and expedite justice for the victims of the July Uprising. 

A female private tuition student has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of Jubayed Ahmed, a postgraduate student and Chhatra Dal leader from Jagannath University (JnU), in the capital’s Armanitola area. The detainee was identified as Borsha, a college student of the area. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lalbagh Zone, Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, said the detainee is one of Jubayed’s private students.  He added that multiple police teams are working to track down and arrest others involved in the murder. Regarding the motive behind the killing, DC Sami said, “All residents of the building are being questioned. We hope to uncover the full details of the incident soon.” CCTV footage from the area reportedly shows two young men wearing black T-shirts and carrying backpacks running toward Bangshal Road from the Moktha area of Noor Box Road at around 4:39 p.m. Police suspect the individuals may be linked to the murder. Earlier on Sunday afternoon , Jubayed was allegedly stabbed in front of a house on Noor Box Road in the Bangshal area, where he had gone for a private tutoring session. Seriously injured, he attempted to climb the stairs but collapsed on the third floor, where he died on the spot.  

Police have arrested Mithu Biswas, the prime accused in the case filed over the rape of a Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) student in Savar. He was detained from Tejkunipara area in Tejgaon, Dhaka, in a late-night operation on Saturday, confirmed Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Jewel Mia. The 44-year-old arrestee, son of S. Raphael of Komlapur Goyalio area in Savar, had been on the run since the incident. He was produced before a court on Sunday, with police seeking a seven-day remand for interrogation. Earlier, on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old victim, a former student of the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act with Savar Model Police Station. The case names three accused, Mithu Biswas, Sohel Rozario (37), and Biplob Rozario (40), all residents of the same area. Police said Biplob is a known drug dealer and an accused in multiple cases. According to the case statement, the incident took place last Tuesday evening. After returning home from tutoring, the victim found her house locked and learned that her mother had left the key at a nearby tea stall. When she went to retrieve it, Sohel intercepted her and began questioning her. Shortly after, Mithu and Biplob joined him. They allegedly forced the young woman into Sohel’s house, where Sohel raped her while the other two assisted. Before releasing her, the trio threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The Coast Guard seized nearly 45 kilograms of deer meat and 12 deer legs during a special operation in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, though the hunters managed to flee the scene. The operation, conducted late Friday night based on secret intelligence, targeted a suspicious area near Parshekhali Bridge under Shyamnagar police jurisdiction, Coast Guard Media Officer Lt. Commander Siam-ul-Haque confirmed in a press release on Saturday. During the raid, hunters abandoned a bag containing the deer meat and legs, which were later recovered by the authorities. 45 kg venison seized in Bhola, 2 held The seized items have been handed over to the Forest Department at Tengrakhali Patrol Outpost for legal action. The Coast Guard emphasized that it remains vigilant to protect wildlife in the Sundarbans and will continue operations to prevent deer hunting and wildlife trafficking in the future.