United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a restriction on all kinds of meetings, rallies, gatherings, processions and showdowns in some designated areas, including Chief Adviser’s government statehouse Jamuna for an indefinite period. The restriction will come into force from Thursday (March 13) and continue until further order.  According to a mass notification, signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, the restriction was issued on Thursday morning. Couple arrested over Habibullah Bahar College VP’s murder in Dhaka The areas which will come under the restrictions include Bangladesh Secretariat, state guesthouse Jamuna, its nearby areas (Hotel Intercontinental intersection, Shahbagh intersection, Kakrail intersection, Mintoo Road). The DMP imposed the restriction following section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance-1976, it reads.

A brick kiln was demolished and owner another fined Tk 3 lakh after a mobile court conducted raids in various areas of Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj on Wednesday. Upazila Assistant Commissioner (land) Khadija Khatun led the drive, said Tuhin Alam, assistant director of the Sirajganj Environment Department. Two illegal brick kilns fined Tk 8.5 lakh in Feni The raid took place at Khamarganti in Raiganj on Wednesday afternoon, where M/S Pratyay Bricks was fined Tk 3 lakh for violating the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act. Besides, in Koyra village, the chimney of M/s Mama Bhagane Bricks was demolished due to the lack of environmental clearance and a valid license. DoE drives in 7 districts: Tk 17.18 lakh fined Police, army, and upazila administration officials were present during the drive.

The government has prepared the draft of the amended Women and Children Repression Prevention Act reducing the trial and investigation time of the rape case by half, said Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday. The Law Adviser came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with the anti-rape platform leaders at the Secretariat. Referring to the government step, Asif said “We held a consultation meeting with all concerned on Monday and Tuesday. I have made a draft of (Amendment to Women and Children Repression Prevention Act) and today we are circulating it to some stakeholders. We will try to ensure strict implementation of the law as soon as possible. I have told them that the trial of rape cases should not only be speedy, but justice should be ensured and fair.” As per the draft law, the investigation period for rape cases is being reduced from 30 days to 15 days and the time for completing the trial is being reduced from 180 days to 90 days, he said. Besides, a provision is being included in it that if the judge deems it necessary, the case proceedings and investigation can continue based on the medical certificate without the DNA report, said the adviser. Mentioning the attack on women, Asif said the government has taken a zero tolerance policy against those involved in violence against women. Asking about the meeting, the adviser said the anti-rape platform leaders demanded speedy trial of the child rape case in Magura. “We have assured them that police have already collected DNA samples of the accused in the Magura rape on Tuesday. I have told them that we will have a vigil so that justice is done quickly without any delay,” he said. High-profile committee formed to review BB reserve heist Mentioning the demand of the anti-rape platform leaders to introduce special court for rape cases, the adviser said rape cases are now tried in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. However, there are many other crimes besides rape cases. So there is a backlog, which delays case management. "I have listened to them and admitted that their demand is logical. It will not be my one's decision. I will raise the issue in the discussion of the Advisory Council and will try my best to explore this matter, whether it can be done. If done, it will be done as soon as possible,” he said. Talking about another demand of the platform over separate cells for preventing sexual harassment in workplace and educational institutions, Asif said “There is a High Court verdict in this regard. In the light of that verdict, not only in educational institutions and workplaces, but also on the streets, we have promised to make such a comprehensive law. In the light of the High Court verdict, I will try to make the law a little stronger.”

The interim government has formed a high-level committee, headed by Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, to review matters related to the 2016 Bangladesh Bank (BB) reserve heist. A six-member committee was announced on Wednesday through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The committee has been instructed to submit its recommendations within three months. Other members of the committee include Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for Road Transport and Bridges, and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; Dr Ahsan H Mansur, governor of Bangladesh Bank; Ali Ashfaq, director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; and Md Nazrul Huda, chairman of Rupali Bank. The committee has been tasked with reviewing the progress of the investigation into the 2016 reserve theft, assessing government measures taken in response, determining responsibilities related to the incident, and recommending necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future. Shapla Chattar Mass Killing: Arrest warrants issued against Hasina, 4 others The Financial Institutions Division will provide secretarial support to the committee. The committee also holds the authority to include new members if required and can convene meetings as needed. On February 4, 2016, $81 million was stolen from the reserves of Bangladesh Bank. Unidentified individuals took advantage of the SWIFT payment system to fraudulently transfer the money that was kept at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the USA.

The High Court On Wednesday granted bail to actress and ex-president of e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) Shomi Kaiser in an attempted murder case. The High Court bench of Justice Abu Taher Mohammad Saifur Rahman and Justice Mohammad Shawkat Ali Chowdhury passed the order. Barrister Hamidul Misbah stood for Shomi Kaiser  while Deputy Attorney General Jisan Haider and Assistant Attorney General ABM Ibrahim Khalil appeared on behalf of the state. A businessman named Ishtiaq Mahmud was injured in an attack during the July movement and a case of attempted murder was filed at Uttara East Police Station on September 29 last year in connection with the attack. Appellate Division stays anticipatory bail to SK Sur's wife, daughter Shomi Kaiser was arrested in this case on November 5 and she was sent to jail by a Dhaka court on November 9. She filed a bail petition with the High Court after failing to secure bail at the lower court. After hearing the appeal, the High Court issued a rule on December 10  granting her interim bail. The state filed an appeal to the Appellate Division to stay the bail order. On December 12, the Appellate Division's chamber court stayed her bail. Later the Appellate Division sent the rule hearing to the bench led by Justice Abu Taher Mohammad Saifur Rahman where the hearing took place.

A tribunal on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and four others, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, in connection with a case filed over the mass killing at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka in 2013. A three-member bench of the tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Murtaza Majumder, passed the order. The court also issued a production warrant for four accused individuals currently in jail: former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, former IGP Shahidul Haque, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, and former police officer Molla Nazrul Islam. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam and Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the petitioner. On November 26 last year, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, Maulana Mamunul Haque, filed a complaint against 50 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, with the tribunal in connection with the mass killing at Shapla Chattar in the capital's Motijheel area on May 5, 2013. According to the complaint, Hefazat-e-Islam had placed a 13-point demand "protesting the defamation of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)" by some bloggers. Court orders seizure of properties of Hasina, family On May 5, 2013, due to the government's failure to address the demands, supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam gathered at Shapla Chattar. From 11 pm that night until 4 am the following day, law enforcement agencies allegedly carried out mass killings of madrasah students and pedestrians, barricading the roads and cutting off electricity in the area, under the direction of Sheikh Hasina. The case statement claims that the bodies of the victims were hidden using vehicles from the city corporation. A case was filed against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Selim, Tareque Ahmed Siddique and Mahabub Khandakar. Meanwhile, the tribunal sent Nayek Md Sohel Mia to jail when he was produced before the court in connection with the case filed over the piling of bodies in Ashulia, Savar.

Police arrested a couple in connection with the killing of Habibullah Bahar College’s Vice Principal (VP) Saifur Rahman Bhuiyan at his rented house in Uttar Khan area of Dhaka. The couple -- Mohammad Nazim Hossain, 21, and his wife Rupa Begum, alias Jannati, 23, -- was arrested from Faridpur Railway Station on Tuesday morning. Md Mohidul Islam, deputy commissioner (DC-Uttara zone) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), revealed this at a press conference at the DMP’s Media Centre at the city’s Mintoo Road on Wednesday morning. He said they arrested the couple from Faridpur with the help of local police 12 hours after the victim’s younger brother had filed a case in this regard. During the primary interrogation, the couple confessed to the murder, he claimed. Two mobile phones, a key ring, and a bank’s Visa card were seized from the couple during the arrest, he said, adding that prior to the arrests law enforcement recovered a machete, a knife, bloodstained clothes and a blood-soaked bed sheet from the crime scene in the victim’s flat. Mohidul said that the killing occurred on the fourth floor of a six-storey building in Purana Para Batan area under Uttar Khan police station between 2am to 4am on March 10. Habibullah Bahar College's Vice Principal Saifur Rahman killed at Uttarkhan Referring to the case statement, the police official said that Saifur had been living in a rented house alone for the past three to four months, where he was constructing a house on his wife’s ancestral land. The flat where the crime occurred was situated in close proximity. According to the primary interrogation, it was revealed that the victim introduced himself to the accused Nazim and Rupa at Kamalapur railway station two to three days before the killing, he said. Through their introduction, Saifur brought the couple to his flat. At some point, Saifur reportedly began to physically, mentally and sexually abuse Rupa. “On the night of the murder, Saifur, Nazim, and Rupa were in the same bed,” DC Mohidur said. He explained that during that night when Nazim fell asleep, Saifur attempted to sexually assault Rupa. Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in Munshiganj Upon waking up, Nazim brought a machete from the kitchen and repeatedly stabbed Saifur, causing fatal injuries that led to the death, he said, adding that the arrestees were sent to a Dhaka court. Asked if there was any conflict between the victim and his wife, the police official replied that she would be interrogated, if needed.

The High Court on Wednesday ordered not to use ‘Doctor’ before the name of any individuals without obtaining the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degrees. The HC bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Shathika Hossain passed the order after hearing two separate writ petitions. The HC, in its order, said no action will be taken against those involved who have used the title of ‘Doctor’ till date without a degree. The court also directed to take legal action against those who were found involved in using ‘Doctor’ before their names violating the court order. In 2010, the Bangladesh government introduced the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act. MBBS admission test: 193 quota candidates' admission postponed until verification The then convener of Bangladesh Diploma Association Shamsul Huda with others filed a writ petition on allegations of discriminatory application of the law to DMF degree holders (registered as diploma holders) in 2013. Last year, president and secretary of Bangladesh Diploma Medical Association filed another writ challenging the section 29 of the Act. According to the section 29 (1), no medical practitioner or dental practitioner registered under this Act shall use or publish any name, designation, description or emblem in such a way as may cause anyone to believe that he has any additional professional qualification, unless it is a recognised medical educational qualification or a recognised dental medical education qualification. Only MBBS and BDS degree holders can use ‘Dr’ before their names. According to the section 29 (2) of the act, violation of the provisions will be an offence and for that he will be punishable with 3 (three) years imprisonment or a fine of Tk 1 lakh or both and if the offence continues, for each repeat the offence will be punishable with a fine of not less than fifty (fifty) thousand taka, in addition to the punishment. On November 25, 2024, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why section 29 of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act should not be declared contradictory to the constitution. Advocate Shishir Monir stood for the petitioner while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General AFM Saiful Karim represented the state and Advocate Kazi Ershadul Alam stood for the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.

DNA samples from three accused  in the case over rape of an eight-year-old girl in Magura were collected on Tuesday night  for testing. The samples were sent to the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) DNA profiling laboratory in Dhaka for analysis, said Additional Superintendent of Police Md Mirajul Islam.  Following the rape incident, the victim’s mother filed a case on March 8 and then all the accused were arrested. The victim is now on life support at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.  The incident occurred when the victim visited her sister’s in-laws’ house at Nijnanduali village in Magura’s Sadar upazila. Minor girl raped in Habiganj; 2 teen boys detained She went to bed with her sister at night, but in the dead of night, her sister found her missing and began searching for her. After a frantic search, the girl was found unconscious a few yards away from the house. She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated. On Thursday, she was moved to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) before being shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Meanwhile, university students, including that of Dhaka University, staged demonstrations early Sunday on their respective campuses, demanding the death penalty of the accused. 10-km tailback on Dhaka-Ctg highway as students block road protesting rape Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the girl at the CMH on Sunday and said the rapists will not be spared as the state is determined to ensure justice.

A rickshaw puller who was stabbed during a clash between two factions of the BNP in Rajshahi city, has died. He passed away on Tuesday evening around 7:30pm at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), five days after being admitted in critical condition. The deceased Golam Hossain Roky (48), was from Sahebpura village in Laksham upazila, Cumilla. He lived in a rented house in the Darikhurbona of Rajshahi city with his wife and earned a living by driving a rickshaw. Youth stabbed to death in Dhaka’s Jatrabari Dr. Shankar K. Biswas, spokesperson for RMCH, confirmed, "Rickshaw puller Golam Hossain had been stabbed in the chest and had head injuries. He did not regain consciousness after the incident and passed away in the evening." Mostak Hasan, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Boalia Police Station, said, "I was not aware of any injuries during the clash. I heard about his death, and legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed." Wife stabbed to death in Sirajganj, husband arrested The conflict between the two BNP factions began on the evening of March 7 in the Darikhurbona area of the city. The clash erupted after a local Awami League leader's apartment was raided the night before, and his brother was handed over to the police. The BNP groups clashed for nearly four hours, during which there were explosions of cocktails and gunfire. Eyewitnesses stated that Golam Hossain was walking towards his rented house after leaving his rickshaw when one faction mistook him for a member of the opposing group and stabbed him. He was later rushed to the hospital.