United News of Bangladesh

Police arrested three members of an inter-district robbery gang in connection with a recent armed robbery in Lawachara National Park area of Kamalganj in Moulvibazar. Moreover, seven looted mobile phones and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw used during the robbery were recovered from the possession of the suspects. The detainees are Jahangir Ahmed Raju, Moharram Ali and Salam Mia. At a press conference at the office of the Superintendent of Police on Thursday, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Nobel Chakma revealed this, saying that a group of 10 to 15 armed robbers blocked the road near Bagharabari, adjacent to Fulbari Tea Garden, by felling trees at night on May 31. They halted several vehicles, assaulted passengers and drivers, and looted cash and valuables, he said. Six held over robbery in Dhanmondi building posing as RAB members With the help of technology and intelligence, police launched raids in various areas and first detained Raju from Dakshin Kanaideshi village in Kamalganj upazila on June 3, he said. A smartphone looted during the robbery was recovered from him and based on his statement, Moharram Ali was detained with another mobile phone from Bongaon area on the same day. Police also detained CNG driver Salam, a key gang member, from Satgaon Stand in Sreemangal upazila the same night. The auto-rickshaw used in the robbery was seized from his possession, said the police official. Besides, five more phones were recovered from an abandoned bag during a search operation in Lawachara National Park. The police official Nobel informed that they identified other members of the gang, who commit robbery in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Brahmanbaria. Operations continue to apprehend the accused, he said.  

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abdul Kalam Azad Majumder on Wednesday warned that the interim government would take legal action against those who publish misleading or false information. "We have never given anyone a licence to publish false reports," he said, stressing that the government will take legal steps against anyone spreading misinformation from now on. At a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Azad also said the interim government upholds press freedom and welcomes constructive criticisms. The Chief Adviser's Office strongly criticised a media report claiming that freedom fighter status had been revoked for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and over 400 political leaders, calling it "false, baseless and misleading" and warning of legal action against those responsible. Supporting preparations for credible elections among priorities in 2025: Gwyn Lewis Azad said the government hopes the news outlets who published "wrong, misleading" reports will correct their mistakes, publish a corrigendum in the same spot where they published the wrong report, and apologise to their readers and the people of Bangladesh who were misled by these reports. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing.    

Police have urged people to remain vigilant against fraud rings operating in various parts of the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Police headquarters issued a press release on Wednesday in this regard. According to complaints received, these fraudsters are picking up passengers in microbuses and later robbing them after taking them to isolated locations, it said. In some cases, victims are held at gunpoint and forced to call their family members to transfer money via mobile financial services. In such a situation, passengers are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to such crimes, said the press release. To prevent such incidents, police have requested citizens not to board microbuses or similar vehicles from the roadside without proper verification. PHQ warns SI job aspirants against financial transactions Besides, travelers are advised not to accept food or drinks from strangers and to stay cautious of known scam operations such as 'ogyan party' (doping gangs) and 'molom party' (ointment gangs). It suggested passengers to keep their family or close contacts informed about their location and destination. People are also encouraged to remain observant of those around them, said the press release. If anyone notices suspicious people, vehicles or situations, they are urged to immediately inform the nearest police station or call the national emergency helpline 999.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday arrested six people during a special drive targeting illegal parking, violations of road transport laws, and obstruction of public roads with unauthorised goods from the capital’s Old Dhaka area. A total of seven cases were filed, and six people were arrested during the operation. Legal proceedings are underway against them, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. The drive, conducted under a special metropolitan magistrate between 4pm and 7:30pm in Bangshal Mor, Tantibazar, and Sadarghat areas, a mobile court sentenced five people to seven days’ simple imprisonment each for placing goods illegally on public roads. Two others were fined in separate cases, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. DMP arrests 15 in Kotwali anti-crime drive In some instances, individuals fled the scene leaving illegal goods behind. Those items were seized on the spot under the magistrate’s orders. Talebur Rahman also said that the operation was part of DMP’s ongoing efforts to restore order on the roads, ensure the smooth movement of city residents, and prevent disruptions to vehicular traffic. Similar drives will continue in the future, he added.

Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul on Tuesday said the government is making sincere efforts to meet the people's expectations, mentioning that the core objective of all reform initiatives is to establish good governance and the rule of law in the country. “The government is working to ensure that future rulers cannot endanger lives through abuse of power….so that people do not become destitute due to legal complexities, that personal freedoms are not compromised in the name of civic benefits, and that citizens can live under a well-defined legal system,” he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 held at the Judicial Administration Training Institute in Dhaka. Regarding the implementation of reform proposals submitted by various commissions, Asif Nazrul said more than a hundred recommendations have already been identified as ready for immediate implementation, and work has begun to execute them. He expressed the hope that these reforms would be completed by August this year. Govt to form high-level committee to review public service ordinance “The government has already amended several laws, including the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), Cyber Security Act, Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, and the Power of Attorney Act,” he said, adding that amendments to the Judicial Service Recruitment Rules and the National Legal Aid Services Act are also in the pipeline. “Two separate consultation meetings have been held regarding the enactment of a law to prevent enforced disappearances, and the process is expected to be completed within the next month,” he added. The adviser also noted that the finance and home ministries have made several legal amendments. “The reform process is already underway." He, however, pointed out that some major reforms, especially those requiring constitutional amendments, demand political consensus. “In such cases, we are waiting for the July Charter. Once this charter is formulated in July, it will provide the foundation for undertaking broader reforms,” he explained. Asif Nazrul acknowledged that the nature and structure of the current government are not entirely conducive to the scale of reforms expected by society, which is why the administration is having to work extra hard to deliver. 252 lower court judges transferred; 12 judges get promotion “The government will not attempt to amend the Constitution bypassing all political parties’ consensus,” he assured. At the meeting, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Tajul Islam, Professor of Law Department of Dhaka University Mahbubur Rahman, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Mahbub Uddin Khokon and others expressed their  opinions on various sections and sub-sections of the draft ordinance.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) continues its operations against underworld terrorism across the country, the force said on Tuesday. Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, made the statement at a press briefing held at the RAB Media Centre in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area in the afternoon. “Our activities against terrorism are going on. Intelligence efforts and surveillance operations by 15 RAB battalions across the country continue uninterrupted. “If any subversive activity comes to our notice, we will take legal action as per the law,” he said. The RAB official also outlined security measures being implemented ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. Extensive security measures in place nationwide for Pahela Baishakh: RAB DG The underworld in Dhaka remains controlled by top terror figures, some of whom continue to operate from abroad. Clashes and killings over territorial dominance and illicit money distribution remain frequent.

A Narayanganj court on Monday rejected the bail petition of Selina Hayat, former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), in three separate cases related to incidents during the July Uprising. Narayanganj District and Session Judge Abu Shamim Azad passed the order when she was produced before the court with a bail petition. Besides, Advocate Awlad Hossain, a lawyer for Ivy said there are no specific charges against his client. Ex-Mayor of Narayanganj Ivy placed on 2-day remand He also said he will go to the High Court challenging the lower court order. Police arrested Ivy from her residence on May 9 in connection with the murder of Minarul during the anti-discrimination student movement. Ivy was wanted in six cases filed with Siddhirganj and Fatullah Police Station.  

The Appellate Division on Monday stayed an earlier order of the chamber court that had suspended the Bangladesh Bank’s decision to appoint an administrator to oversee operations at the mobile financial service (MFS) provider Nagad. A five-member bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division passed the order following a hearing on a petition filed by Bangladesh Bank seeking withdrawal of the Chamber Judge’s stay order. Following the court order, Bangladesh Bank’s counsel BM Elias Kachi told reporters that the Chamber Court had stayed the central bank’s decision to appoint an administrator at Nagad. “That order has now been stayed by the Appellate Division. The administrator appointed earlier remains in place and with this order there is no legal bar to the continuation of his functions,” he said. On August 21 last year, Bangladesh Bank issued an internal order appointing an administrator to Nagad. Later, Md Shafayet Alam, an independent director of Nagad, challenged the legality of the appointment filing a writ petition with the High Court. Nagad: ACC drive uncovers primary evidence of corrupt recruitment scheme After a primary hearing on September 17 last year, the High Court issued a rule asking why the August 21 memo appointing an administrator without complying with Sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the 2004 Payment and Settlement Systems Act should not be declared ultra vires. Upon completion of the final hearing, the High Court dismissed the rule on February 16 this year declaring the writ petition not maintainable. Challenging the verdict, Shafayet Alam later filed a petition with the Appellate Division which was placed before the Chamber Judge on May 7. The Chamber Court then stayed the High Court verdict for eight weeks and also stayed the administrator appointment, allowing the petitioner to file a regular leave to appeal. Apex court declares appointment of administrator and board at Nagad illegal Bangladesh Bank subsequently filed a petition seeking withdrawal of the Chamber Court’s stay order. Senior lawyer Jamalur Rahman appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday arrested 15 individuals, including identified drug dealers, according to police, and suspects with outstanding warrants, during a special drive in the Kotwali area of the capital. The crackdown was carried out on Sunday in various areas under Kotwali Police Station, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. Those arrested are,  Amanullah alias Aman (60), Md Shakil Uddin (30), Md Munna Mia (29), Md Gazi Yamin (45), Apon (32), Robiul (28), Masum Parvez (40), Md Sakhawat Hossain alias Shubho Ahmed (30), Md Tayeb (21), Md Amin Bepari (20), Shanto (19), Md Nurul Islam alias Kadir (55), Md Raihan Ferdous Roni (42), Md Rashedul Alam (48), and Md Nizam Uddin (40). According to Kotwali Police, the arrestees include identified drug peddlers, wanted criminals, and individuals involved in various other offenses. “All of them have been produced before the court,” added the DMP official.  

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday launched an enforcement operation at the head office of mobile financial service provider Nagad in Dhaka, following allegations of irregularities in recruitment and embezzlement of Tk 150 crore. During the operation, the ACC team found preliminary evidence of irregularities in the recruitment process. Based on the findings, the Commission may interrogate two individuals – Atik Morshed, personal officer to Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, Special Assistant on ICT Affairs to the Chief Adviser, and Morshed’s wife, Zakia Sultana Jui. The ACC has also sought relevant documents to verify the authenticity of the Tk 150 crore embezzlement allegation.  After reviewing the records, the investigation team will submit a detailed report to the Commission. The ACC's enforcement drive commenced with a raid on Nagad's Gulshan office on Sunday, according to Assistant Director Ikram Hossain. Meanwhile Atik Morshed and his wife Zakia Sultana Jui have been summoned for questioning on Monday, against charges of irregularities in recruitment. Apex court declares appointment of administrator and board at Nagad illegal ACC Director General Akhter Hossain confirmed this to the media. Atik Morshed however made a post on Facebook denying the allegations against him. Morshed claimed that he has only been to the Nagad office twice, that too for official work. His wife applied and got a job at Nagad based on her qualifications.