United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 21 bank accounts belonging to three associates of former Managing Director of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance Limited, Prashanta Kumar (P.K.) Halder. On Sunday, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Zakir Hossain Galib issued this order in response to a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC's Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed this information. The accounts include 11 under the name of Md. Siddiqur Rahman, four under Mahfuza Rahman Baby, and six under Anita Kar. These accounts are believed to be part of a broader money laundering operation linked to P.K. Halder and his associate, Swapon Kumar Mistri, among 20 others. Travel ban imposed on ex-BCB president Papon, his family According to ACC officials, Halder and Mistri used deceptive practices, including processing loans without proper verification or collateral, to assist fake companies like Sandeep Corporation in securing fraudulent loans. The beneficiaries, including the three associates of P. K. Halder with frozen accounts, withdrew Tk 40 crore from FAS Finance and Investment Limited, which was later laundered through multiple accounts to conceal its origin. The case, filed on March 3, 2022, has led to charges against Halder, Mistri, and 18 others. Authorities suspect that Halder, who is currently detained in India, and his associates were attempting to withdraw the funds from various banks in Bangladesh before fleeing the country.

The Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, his wife Fouzia Alam, sons Fahim Afsar Alam and Farhan Sadik Alam, and daughter Tanisha Alam due to corruption allegations. On Sunday, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Zakir Hossain Galib issued this order in response to a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC's Deputy Director Saiduzzaman had requested the travel ban on their overseas trips. Akhtarul Islam, Public Relations Officer of ACC, confirmed this information. Travel ban imposed on ex-BCB president Papon, his family According to the petition, "Mahbubul Alam Hanif and his family members possess assets outside of their known sources of income in various parts of the country (including Kushtia, Khulna, Patuakhali, Mongla, Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, and other areas) as well as abroad, including the United States, Canada, and other countries." The petition also mentioned, "During the investigation, reliable sources revealed that the accused are attempting to transfer their movable and immovable assets in order to flee the country. If they escape abroad, it is likely to hinder the investigation process. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to impose a travel ban on them to ensure a proper investigation of the allegations."

Two groups of Rajshahi BNP scuffled inside a police station on Saturday over the release of an Awami League (AL) leader accused in a case filed for allegedly attacking protesters during the July Uprising last year. Besides, AL leader Abul Kalam allegedly kicked assistant organising secretary of Rajshahi divisional unit of Krishak Dal Alamin Sakar Titu who opposed the release. The incident occurred inside Boalia police station in the afternoon and a video footage showing the scuffle and kicking went viral on social media. The AL leader held the post of president of Rajshahi Truck-Covered Van Owners’ Association and Rajshahi Urea Fertilizer Dealers’ Association. Earlier, he was involved with the politics of BNP in Paba upazila and later shifted to AL when the party came to power. Police arrested the accused from Central Bus Truck Terminal in Rajshahi on Saturday noon and took him to Boalia police station. Scuffle erupts between RU students and police over attempts to detain Hearing his arrest, leaders and activists from the BNP started gathering on the police station premises. Expressing sorrow, Krishak Dal leader Titu said some so-called BNP leaders went to the police station to release the AL leader through lobbying. He alleged that AL leader Kalam kicked him when he opposed in front of all inside the police station. He was also a victim of harassment by the so-called BNP leaders for their stance against the AL leader, he claimed. Zillur Rahman, former convenor of Shah Makhdum police station unit of the BNP, called the AL leader as their well-wisher saying that Kalam maintained relations with the AL only for his business. He alleged that Kalam was sued in a false case to grab the tuck-covered owners’ association. SCBA polls scuffle: 3 assistant attorney generals relieved Boalia police station’s officer-in-charge Moshtak Ahmed said some unexpected incident occurred between BNP leaders and activists when the accused was being taken to a court from the police station. No one came here to lobby to release him, he added.

The officer-in-charge of the Detective Branch (DB) in Narsingdi and a court inspector have been withdrawn and attached to Dhaka following allegations that they sold 96 kilograms of seized cannabis. The accused officials are OC SM Kamruzzaman and Inspector Khandaker Zakir Hossain. According to reports, the OC allegedly sold the drugs and distributed the proceeds among his associates. On February 4, a DB team seized 96 kg of cannabis from an orchard in Sristigar village under Shibpur upazila and stored it at the DB office, as per a media release issued the next day. Although official documents indicated that the drugs were sent to the judicial magistrate court, Inspector Zakir later admitted that they were never actually delivered. Before the supposed transfer, OC Kamruzzaman allegedly sold the contraband and shared the money among his collaborators, Zakir claimed. Student shot in Gazipur, OC withdrawn; police commissioner apologises On February 17, a court statement signed by Narsingdi Judicial Magistrate Md Rakibul Haque stated: "On February 17, 2025, documents were presented for the destruction of 96 kg of cannabis from the seized evidence of this GD. I saw that the signs in my presence had been destroyed." Police and court sources, however, said that while seized drugs were previously destroyed in public, such practices are no longer observed. Defending himself, OC Kamruzzaman said, "Our officers seized the evidence. The destruction list was sent to the court, and the magistrate received it. This order is also in my office. Whether the court has destroyed it or not is their concern, not mine." A police source alleged that Kamruzzaman sold the drugs for Tk 14.40 lakh to a drug dealer named Maya Prodhan from Madhabdi upazila and never sent any of the seized contraband to the court for destruction. After the allegations surfaced on March 15, both officials were initially attached to the district police lines. Hours later, Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) AKM Awlad Hossain ordered their transfer to Dhaka. Three cops withdrawn after suspected drug peddler escaped from custody District Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Abdul Hannan confirmed that the officials were withdrawn based on evidence and allegations. An investigation committee, led by an additional SP, has been formed and tasked with submitting a report within three days, he added.

The High Court (HC) on Sunday upheld the trial court’s verdict, confirming the death penalty for 20 students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and life imprisonment for five others in the sensational Abrar Fahad murder case. A High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain delivered the verdict in a jam-packed courtroom. Earlier, on Saturday, the HC had scheduled Sunday for pronouncing its verdict on the death references and appeals filed by the convicts. The hearing on these matters concluded on February 24, after which the case was kept under review. What Abrar Fahad's parents said regarding Chhatra League ban Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Buet’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department, was beaten to death on October 6, 2019, by activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla Hall. The attack was reportedly triggered by a Facebook post Abrar had made about water-sharing issues between Bangladesh and India. His body was later found on the dormitory’s staircase. The following day, Abrar’s father filed a murder case at Chawkbazar Police Station. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, leading to widespread protests. On December 8, 2021, a Dhaka court sentenced 20 Buet students to death and handed life imprisonment to five others for their involvement in the murder. HC resumes hearing on death references in Abrar murder case Convicts and sentences The 20 students sentenced to death are: Mehedi Hassan Rasel, Anik Sarker, Mehedi Hassan Robin, Ifty Mosharaf Sakal, Moniruzzaman Monir, Meftahul Islam Jiyon, Majedur Rahman, Muzahidur Rahman, Tabakhairul Islam Tanvir, Hossen Mohammad Toha, Shamim Billah, Nazmus Shadat, Muntasir Al Jemi, Mizanur Rahman, Mahmud Setu, Shamsul Arifin Rafat, Morshed Omorto Islam, Ehtesamul Rabbi, Morshed Uzzaman Jishan, Mujtaba Rafeed, The five students who received life imprisonment are: Muhtasim Fuyad, Akash Hossain, Mowaz Abu Horaira, Omit Shaha and Ishtiaq Hassan Munna. Of the total 25 accused in the case, five are on the run.  The HC began hearing the death reference and appeals on November 28 last year before reaching its final decision today.  

Members of a dope gang (Aggyan Party) have looted around Tk 3.8 lakh  from three watermelon vendors from Chuadanga while purchasing watermelons in Patuakhali. The victims are Sajib Ali, 30, Mominur Rahman Molla, 65, and Milan Mechanic, 40, hailing from Chuadanga Sadar upazila. According to the victims, they boarded a bus from Dingedah Bazar heading toward Shakharia Bazar in Patuakhali to purchase watermelons from Mashuri Ghat on Friday. Along the way, they met a man who later accompanied them to a residential hotel in Patuakhali for rest and Iftar. The man arranged Iftar including a special drink and shortly after drinking it they lost consciousness, he said. Member of ‘dope gang’ arrested at Dhaka airport Upon regaining consciousness, one of them found their money and belongings missing. Later, another vendor from the Dingedah came to know about the vendors in Patuakhali and arranged for their return to Chuadanga by bus. They arrived at Dingedah Bazar around 4pm on Saturday after which family members took Mominur and Milan home. However, due to his deteriorating condition, Sajib was taken to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital where physician Dr. Sajib Hossain admitted him for observation. 300 people robbed in 15 years by dope gang in Dhaka airport area The physician said the patient was brought unconscious and provided initial treatment before admitting him for observation. It appears they were given sedatives mixed in their food or drinks and it may take Sajib 24 to 48 hours for full recovery, he said.  

A 32-year-old man was killed by a lynch-mob attack Dhan Gobeshona Road in Barishal city on Saturday for alleged rape attempt. Sujon was severely beaten in the area in the evening died at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (Shebachim) Hospital around 8 pm while undergoing treatment, said OC Mizanur Rahman of Kotwali Model Police Station. Earlier, a man filed a complaint at Kotwali Police Station against Sujon for attempting to rape his daughter. According to the complaint, on Friday at 1:30 pm, the child was sent to Sujon's house, a neighbour, to return a cooking pot. Sujon, who was alone at home, attempted to rape the child and when the child screamed he fled, it said. Two suspected robbers killed in Shariatpur lynch-mob attack Following the complaint, police conducted a primary investigation in the area on Saturday evening. When locals came to know the matter they caught Sujon and beat him up mercilessly, leaving him critically injured. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he succumbed to his injuries. However, Sujon's family alleged that he was falsely accused and killed due to a long-standing enmity. "If Sujon was guilty, he should have been punished through the legal system. Why was he killed without a trial?" asked Sujon's uncle Manik Mridha and demanded justice for those responsible. SI Manik Saha of Kotwali Police Station said that Sujon's body is currently at the SBMCH morgue and will be handed over to his family after an autopsy. Man killed in lynch-mob attack in Chapainawabganj The process of registering the child’s father's complaint as a formal case was underway, the OC said. He added that legal action would be taken if a complaint is filed regarding Sujon's death by mob lynching.  

A newlywed woman in Feni died at Chattogram Medical College Hospital on Saturday, days after allegedly being tortured by her in-laws over dowry. The victim, Marjan Akhter Jhumur, 18, was married to expatriate Saidur Rahman on December 8 last year. Her family members said within days of moving into her husband's house on February 27, her in-laws began pressuring her for  Tk 3 lakh and five tolas of gold. On March 4, after a dispute over the demands, her husband, father-in-law Sahab Uddin, and mother-in-law Bibi Hajera beat her up, they alleged. Critically injured Jhumur was first taken to Feni General Hospital and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Body of newlywed woman recovered from husband’s Pallabi residence Jhumur’s mother, Farida Akhter, said, “When we visited my daughter at the hospital, she narrated the ordeal she had suffered at the hands of her in-laws. On March 12, her father, Abdul Halim, filed a case with Feni Model Police Station against her husband, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.” Feni Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shamsuzzaman said they have already arrested her father-in-law Sahab Uddin and are trying to arrest the other accused. Jhumur’s  mother demanded justice for her daughter’s death.  

Hejaz Bin Alam alias Ezaz, (34) a well-known name in Dhaka's criminal underworld, passed away on Saturday evening while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) under the custody of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Ezaz had been undergoing dialysis at DMCH before his death, said DB Sub-inspector Mahfuz. According to the deceased's father Shah Alam, despite being out on bail, DB police took Ezaz away on Friday night (March 14). The following morning, he was admitted to DMCH, where he was placed in Ward 601 on the sixth floor. Bangladesh reaffirms ‘zero tolerance’ stance on terrorism, commits to global security Following Ezaz’s death, his family members forcibly took his body from the hospital but later returned it around two hours later at 9pm.. DB sources said that Ezaz, the second-in-command of “top terror” Sanjidul Islam Iman alias Iman, was arrested by DB’s Wari division on Friday in connection with a case filed at Mohammadpur Police Station.  Later, he fell ill while in custody at the DB headquarters on Mintoo Road and was subsequently admitted to DMCH, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali on Saturday said any type of violence against women submitted to the HELP App will be considered as a first information report (FIR). "If any incident of violence against women is recorded in the HELP App, it will be immediately treated as an FIR," he said while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the HELP (Harassment Elimination Literacy Program) app, organised by the Broadcast Journalists Centre at The Daily Star Bhaban in Dhaka. The DMP Commissioner also said any form of violence against women and children is deeply distressing. “In many cases, victims of such incidents hesitate to report them to law enforcement agencies, and their guardians often keep the incidents hidden for various reasons,” he said. Sazzat Ali mentioned that domestic workers are among the most abused section in society, sometimes even facing sexual harassment. “As responsible citizens, it is our duty to ensure a safe and supportive environment for domestic workers,” he added. HELP is a mobile application project designed to enable women to seek immediate assistance, access emergency services, and report incidents if they become victims of violence on public transport in Dhaka city. Initially, this service will be launched as a pilot project along the Basila-Sayedabad route, with financial support from the European Union. 5 arrested during "hijacking" incidents in Dhaka: DMP Women affected by violence will be able to use the service by scanning QR codes installed on buses traveling from the Mohammadpur bus stand to Sayedabad, with assistance from volunteers stationed along the route. Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, was a special guest at the event, which was chaired by Rezwanul Haque, president of the Broadcast Journalist Center.