Law-&-Order
e-Govt Dev Index: Bangladesh moves up 8 notches
Bangladesh ranked 111th among 193 countries in this year’s UN e-Government Development Index, according to UN e-Government Survey 2022 by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) that assessed the development over last two years.
Bangladesh has moved up eight notches in the ranking while it has climbed 20 steps on the e-Participation Index.
Despite the global crises over the past two years caused by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh has made a significant improvement in e-participation globally.
The survey results of the 12th edition of EGDI, titled E-Government Survey 2022 (The Future of Digital Government), were announced on Wednesday at the United Nations HQ in New York.
Bangladesh secured 111th place among 193 countries, scoring 0.5630, and 75th place in E-Participation or EPI with a score of 0.5227.
The survey assesses online service delivery, legal and policy framework, status of e-participation as well as telecommunication infrastructure and human capital.
It is composed of analytical chapters and data on e-government development contained in the annexes of the publication, providing a snapshot of the relative measurement of e-government development of all Member States.
The UN report said that Bangladesh secured the highest EGDI value in the top Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Bangladesh remains in the high EGDI group in two consecutive surveys.
The report said, Bangladesh has shown tremendous growth in terms of digital financial account access through the proliferation of branchless banking, which has taken full-service retail banking to the doorsteps of rural citizens across the country, and soaring mobile financial services (MFS), which have reached a client base of over 100 million.
Combining these channels, and in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Welfare, Finance, and Bangladesh Bank, the a2i Programme of the Government of Bangladesh, with support from UNDP, the Gates Foundation and the Consultative Group to assist the poor, developed the ‘Citizen’s Choice Architecture’ for digital payments of social safety net programs-such as elderly allowance, allowance for widowed, deserted and destitute women, allowance for financially-insolvent disabled people.
The UN has been conducting the survey every two years since 2001 to expand digital governance throughout the world and to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.
Three killed in Noakhali during 'shootout between robbers'
Police in Noakhali's Hatia have reported the deaths of three men in what it described as a "shootout between two gangs of robbers," which erupted over a turf war, in Char Ghasia of Noakhali's Hatia early Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Shahraj (35), Kabir (40) and Nurunnabi (45), Hatia Police Station Office-in-Charge Amir Hossain told UNB.
Their bodies have been kept at Hatia's Chairman Ghat Police Outpost and will be sent to Noakhali 250 Bed General Hospital for autopsies early Friday, he added.
Earlier, Bangladesh Coast Guard claimed to have detained five robbers with arms following the turf battle.
The detainees are Md Hinju, 37, of Noakhali's Char Jabbar; Mohammad Harun, 37, of Lakshmipur's Ramgati, Mohammad Liton, 35, from the district's Char Gazi village, Mohammad Mosharof, 36, of Abdul Munshirhat Kalkini village and Azim Bepari, 27, of Char Abdullah village.
During its drive, Coast Guard seized three single-shot rifles, two rounds of bullets, six machetes, five spears and many iron rods from them.
According to locals, two robbers, who are also brothers, Khokon and Fakhrul were at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in Char Ghasia. Recently, Fakhrul took hold of the area after the law enforcers caught Khokon.
Coming out of jail on bail a few days ago, Khokon tried to regain his hold. So, the dispute between the two brothers resurfaced and led to today's gunfight.
Lieutenant Shafiul Kinjol, media officer of BCG Hatia, said: "Legal action will be taken against the detainees."
“Credit for success goes to govt and the people, failures are my own”
Outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Thursday commented that during his tenure as the IGP, credit for all the good work belongs to the government and the people, and failures are his own.
He made the comment while interacting with reporters at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in Dhaka.
Benazir Ahmed is retiring as IGP tomorrow after a long 34-and-a-half-year police career. On his last working day, on Thursday, he exchanged views with journalists on various achievements throughout his career.
“Credit for all the good work goes to the government and the people while performing my duties during my 12 years in top police posts — as the DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and IGP of the Police. The failures are mine,” he said.
Setting up of DMP Media Center during his tenure as DMP Commissioner was a unique initiative to institutionalize police relations with journalists, he said, adding that as a result of this, relationship between police and journalists developed. “Your unwavering support for 12 long years, out of 34 years in service, has paved my way.”
“I have overcome many challenges during my tenure as DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and lastly as IGP. You (journalists) have given me support to face these challenges, the countrymen have also given support, he added.
When asked about the failures in fulfilling duties, the IGP said, “I don't see it as a measure of success or failure. I want to see how much has been achieved, and what is left to achieve? Attainment is a process. This process is never ending,” he added.
Benazir Ahmed was RAB Director General when Ward Councilor Ekram of Cox's Bazar was killed in a so-called crossfire. When asked whether he regretted the killing of Ekram, the IGP said that it was a legal matter. “There is no scope to express our feelings on the matter until it is proven to be unfair or unethical. This did not happen in my personal capacity, rather it happened through people at the field-level while discharging official duties,” he said.
“The gentleman had no personal conflict with the field-level Rab members. So there is no opportunity to take the matter personally. But we look at one thing whether any of our colleagues has gone beyond his duty. Action is taken against those who act beyond responsibility. Ekram incident has also been investigated several times,” he said.
When asked about killings of people in police firing while dispersing protest rallies, he said, these are very undesirable incidents. “Our primary goal is to save lives and for it we have weapons. Besides, executive and departmental investigations are conducted on these incidents.”
In response to the question of what he might do after retirement, he said, “I am still in charge. I will think about retirement after tomorrow. But after retirement, I will live with people as a part of this society for the rest of my life.”
Police prepared to thwart any possible militant attack: DMP Commissioner
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam on Thursday said police are ready to thwart any possible militant attack during the Durga Puja celebration.
The DMP Commissioner came up with the remark while talking to reporters after inspecting security measures taken for Durga Puja at Dhakeshwari temple in the capital on Thursday.
Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, will begin from Saturday (October 1) with various rituals on the day of Maha Shashthi and will end on October 5 with immersion of idols.
Durga Puja will be held at 32,168 mandaps (pandals), including 241 in the capital city, across the country this year.
Rahima’s statement on ‘disappearance’ misleading: PBI
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has said that the statement given by Rahima Begum, who was found alive in Faridpur after remaining missing for 29 days, about her ‘disappearance’ to PBI and at the court is misleading.
However, they are verifying her statement given at the court, SP Syed Mushfiqur Rahman of PBI Khulna told UNB today.
So far, nothing has been found that proves Rahima’s statement to be true, said the PBI official. On Monday, the investigating officer visited the house of Quddus Mollah at Syedpur village in Faridpur, where Rahima had been staying since September 17.
“We got important information there,” SP Mushfiqur said.
Read: Families of arrestees claim Rahima’s daughter Moriom behind mysterious disappearance
Now the investigation officer will go to Bandarban for further investigation as Rahima went to Islampur in Bandarban Sadar upazila, as per her statement in court.
Besides, police suspect involvement of Belal Hawlader, Rahima’s second husband, in her disappearance.
“We are hopeful of getting information if we interrogate him. We have submitted plea to the court for his remand,” the officer added.
In her statement, Rahima said she found herself in Chattogram Hill Tracts area after being abducted on August 27. She took up work at a hotel in Bandarban.
The hotel owner later offered her a job in a local camp for which her birth certificate and NID card were needed, she said.
For collecting birth registration and NID card, she went to Quddus Molla’s house, her acquaintance, at Syedpur village of Boalmari upazila under Faridpur district.
Read:Rahima Begum handed over to family after recording statement
There, she reached out to Syedpur Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Haque on September 16 for birth certificate and NID, stating that she was born in that village and used to live in Bagerhat for livelihood.
However, the UP chairman refused to issue those out of suspicion, said the PBI officer.
“We are still investigating the case and action will be taken if Rahima Begum gave false statements about her disappearance,” the PBI official said.
On September 25, Rahima Begum, who remained “missing” for 29 days, was handed over to her family after her statement was recorded in the court.
Later, she was taken to her younger daughter Aduri Akter’s house in Khulna’s Boyra area, said plaintiff’s lawyer Afruzzaman Tutul.
In her statement, Rahima provided detailed information on being “abducted over land dispute”.
Read: I was abducted over land dispute: Rahima Begum
The night before, police rescued Rahima from Boalmari upazila of Faridpur.
On August 27, Rahima went missing after she had stepped out to fetch water near her home in the Banikpara area of Doulatpara upazila in Khulna around 10pm. Her children found her sandals, scarf and the pitcher she was carrying from the spot.
Six people Rahima accused over her abduction in the statement were also accused in a case filed over her going missing, following a complaint received from her children.
Question paper leak: Headmaster put on 3-day remand
A Kurigram court on Thursday placed Lutfur Rahman, headmaster of Nehal Uddin Girls’ High School, on a three-day remand in connection with his alleged involvement in SSC question paper leak.
Kurigram Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Sumon Ali passed the order.
The court fixed Sunday for hearing of the remand petition of two more accused in the case.
Earlier on September 20, three school teachers, including Lutfur Rahman, the headmaster and secretary of Bhurungamari Nehal Uddin Pilot High School center, and two assistant teachers of the school- Zubaiyer Hossain and Aminur Rahman- were arrested in connection with the question paper leak case.
Three more people were arrested in this connection on September 22. So far, six people have been arrested in this connection.
A complaint was lodged with Bhurungamari Police in this connection. Police later registered an FIR.
According to police, Nehal Uddin Pilot Girls’ High School Headmaster and centre secretary Lutfar Rahman and in-charge officer Upazila Secondary Officer Abdur Rahman put single question paper of Bangla 2nd paper, English 1st and 2nd paper in the envelope of question papers of Bangla 1st paper while sorting question papers at Bhurungamari and sealed the envelope.
It was later signed by Upazila Secondary Education Officer Abdur Rahman.
On the day of examination of Bengali 1st paper, center secretary Lutfar Rahman along with his associates brought the packet of Bengali 1st paper and took away the papers of Bengali 2nd paper, English 1st and 2nd paper.
Later, with the help of some teachers, the headmaster prepared the handwritten answer sheets of the leaked question papers and sold them to the students of that school at a price of Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000, as per the investigation.
On September 21, SSC examinations on four subjects under the Dinajpur Education Board were postponed due to question papers leak in Kurigram's Bhurungamari upazila.
Copies of English 1st paper and 2nd paper of the ongoing SSC examinations went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Dinajpur Board also formed a three-member probe committee headed by Professor Faraz Uddin Talukdar, college inspector of the Education Board.
The postponed SSC examinations on four subjects under the Dinajpur Education Board will be held from October 10 to 13.
The four subjects are: Mathematics, Physics, Agricultural Science and Chemistry.
Exams on other subjects will be held as per the schedule.
Eden College BCL infighting: President, 7 others sued
A case was filed at Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court on Wednesday against eight Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists of its Eden Mohila College unit including president Tamanna Jesmin Riva and general secretary Razia Sultana on charges of attempt to murder.
Taking the case into cognizance, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Syed Mostafa Reza Nur instructed Lalbagh police to investigate the matter and submit a report on October 23.
Eden college BCL vice president Jannatul Ferdous submitted a plea to file the case at the court.
The other accused are- Nujhat Faria Roksana, Meem Islam, Nur Jahan, Ritu Akter, Anika Tabassum Shorna and Kamrun Nahar Jyoti.
According to the case statement, three to four BCL activists including Shorna entered Jannatul’s room at the instruction of Riva and Razia with local weapons and vandalized her belongings in her absence on September 24. They also looted cash Tk 20,000, gold ornaments and her laptop.
The eight accused also physically assaulted Jannatul in front of Ayesha Hall of the college, leaving her critically injured.
Later, teachers took her to a nearby hospital.
The accused also threatened to kill her if she does not leave the campus.
Earlier on Sunday, BCL suspended all activities of its Eden Mohila College unit committee following infightings between its two groups which left at least eight people injured.
BCL also expelled 16 leaders and activists from the organisation for violating the rules.
Crimes against humanity: Fugitive death row convict held in Savar
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has claimed to have detained a fugitive death row war crimes convict in Savar on the outskirts of the capital.
He was sentenced to death for committing crimes against humanity in Netrokona.
The detainee has been identified as Khalilur Rahman, 68, son of Nobi Hossain of Durgapur in Netrakona district.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-14 conducted a drive in Savar and detained Khalilur on Tuesday night, said ASP Imran Khan of legal and media wing of Rab headquarters at a press briefing held at Rab media center on Wednesday.
Khalilur had been on the run since 2015 and he used to stay in different parts of the city, including Dakkhin Khan, Turag and Uttara, to avoid arrest, said ASP Imran.
He also refrained from using a mobile phone to avoid his arrest but his family members often contacted him and supplied money and other things, he said.
On January 30, 2017, the prosecution submitted chargesheet against five people of Netrakona, including Khalilur Rahman for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.
On September 13, 2022, a tribunal sentenced the five accused to death for their crimes against humanity.
Charges including killing of 22 people, rape, torture, abduction and arson attack were brought against them.
Four other convicts died during the trial.
Families of arrestees claim Rahima’s daughter Moriom behind mysterious disappearance
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has said that the disappearance of Rahima Begum, who was found alive in Faridpur, was not an incident of “abduction”.
“We did not find any evidence of abduction from her house in Khulna’s Daulatpur,” SP Syed Mushfiqur Rahman of PBI Khulna said today.
“We are still investigating the case and action will be taken if Rahima Begum had made false accusations about her disappearance,” the PBI official said.
Read: I was abducted over land dispute: Rahima Begum
Meanwhile, family members of those arrested in the case have claimed that Rahima Begum’s daughter Moriom Mannan is the “mastermind” behind the mysterious disappearance.
They said that if Moriom and others involved in the incident are questioned, truth will be revealed.
On September 25, 2022, Rahima Begum, who remained “missing” for 29 days, was handed over to her family after her statement was recorded in the court.
Read: Rahima Begum handed over to family after recording statement
Later, she was taken to her younger daughter Aduri Akter’s house in Khulna’s Boyra area, said plaintiff’s lawyer Afruzzaman Tutul.
In her statement, Rahima provided detailed information on being “abducted over land dispute”.
She said she was abducted and taken to Chattogram. From there, she went to Faridpur on her own.
Read I was abducted over land dispute: Rahima Begum
The night before, police rescued Rahima from Boalmari upazila of Faridpur.
“I was abducted by some unidentified men from in front of my house,” Rahima claimed when she met her family members at the PBI office in Khulna.
“Golam Kibria and Md Mohiuddin, two people with whom Rahima was at loggerheads over land, had forcefully collected her signature on a blank paper and left her at a remote place with only Tk 1000,” Mushfiqur quoted Rahima at the time.
Read No one takes clothes or medicine with them, if they are abducted: PBI SP
PBI Chief Banaj sues Babu Akhter for making investigation questionable
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Chief Banaj Kumar Majumdar on Tuesday filed a case accusing four people including former Superintendent of Police (SP) Babul Akhter on charge for making an ongoing investigation questionable, spreading false information and throwing abusive words.
Banaj Kumar, also an additional inspector general of police, lodged the case at Dhanmondi police station.
The accused in the case are US expatriate and Youtuber Elias Hossain, Babul’s father Md Abdul Wadud Mia, brother Md Habibur Rahman Labu, and Babul Akter. Of them, Elias was made the prime accused in the case.
In the case the plaintiff alleged that all the accused intentionally spread false information to make objectionable the ongoing investigation of Mahmuda Khatun Mitu murder case through social platforms including Youtube.
Besides, Elias from the US spread misleading information to spoil communal harmony of the country and tarnish the image of PBI, the statement said.
Mentionable, On June 5, 2016, unidentified assailants gunned down Babul's wife Mitu at the port city's GEC intersection while she was going to drop her son Mahir Akhter, 7, for a bus of Chittagong Cantonment Public School and College.
Soon after the crime, Babul filed a murder case at Panchlaish Police Station against three unidentified men.
The case was transferred to the Police Bureau Investigation (PBI) in 2019 after Mitu's father, himself a retired police officer, filed a complaint against the CMP's mishandling of the case.
On May 12, 2021, the PBI submitted its final report and arrested Babul Akhter in another case filed by Mitu’s father and since then he has been in prison.
Read: Court rejects Babul Akther’s petition to sue PBI chief, five other cops
Babul Akhter filed a no-confidence motion against the PBI report on October 14, 2021.
On November 3 last year, a Chattogram Court rejected the final report of PBI in the murder case and ordered it to conduct further investigation.
PBI in an investigation found Babul’s involvement in his wife's murder.
On September 25 this year, a Chattogram court rejected a plea filed by Babul seeking its permission to file a case against six officials of Police Bureau of Investigations (PBI) including its chief Banaj Kumar Majumdar for torturing him in police custody.
The court also rejected two separate petitions for recording statement under Section 200 bringing Babul Akhter to the court and seeking security in Feni prison cell.