United News of Bangladesh

In accordance with a public notice issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner on May 10, all forms of rallies, gatherings, processions, and demonstrations remain prohibited in and around the Bangladesh Secretariat, the official residence of the Chief Adviser at Jamuna, and adjoining areas. The restriction has been imposed in the interest of maintaining law and order, says  a DMP press release issued on Monday night.  DMP adopts zero tolerance against mob violence Authorities have urged all concerned to strictly adhere to the directive, the press release added.

A Dhaka court on Monday directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate allegations of nomination trading involving 10 individuals, including Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader, his wife Sharifa Quader and Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu. Metropolitan Magistrate Masum Miah issued the order following a petition filed by plaintiff Nazmin Sultana Tuli, a former Jatiya Party member and human rights activist, on May 17. The other accused are Rezaul Karim, Newaz Ali Bhuiyan, Sherifa Quader, Md Akram, Nazmul, Pabitra Sarkar, and Md Saidul Islam. According to the case, the accused, led by GM Quader, engaged in nomination trading during the controversial 2024 parliamentary elections, demanding Tk 50 lakhs from Tuli for a party nomination. Following this, Tuli protested at a central committee meeting, leading to tensions. On October 10, 2023, the party, with police support, raided her residence, breaking her door and looting furniture, gold ornaments, Tk 3.65 lakh, documents, mobile phones, and a laptop. The accused also threatened her life when she attempted to hold a press conference against them.

Unidentified miscreants stabbed a youth to death in an area under Sonadanga police station of Khulna city early Monday. The deceased was identified as Golam, 25, son of Md Ali Hossain, of Moyur Resident Area under Harintana police station of the city. He used to work as a police source. Quoting witnesses, police said a group of three to fourth youths stabbed the youth in the abdomen with sharp weapons at an alley adjacent to the 22-storey Bhaban around 12:30am, leaving him critically injured. Woman stabbed dead in Dhaka When the miscreants left the scene, locals rushed him to Khulna Medical College Hospital where physicians declared him dead upon arrival. Officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sonadanga police station Md Mizanur Rahman said they have already started a drive to detain those involved in the murder.

Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan, joint convener of the BNP’s Gulshan thana unit, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the capital’s Middle Badda area on Monday night. According to police and witnesses, the incident took place around 10:06pm near a tea stall opposite to the office of former commissioner Kayum on Road No. 4 in the Gudaraghat area. Kamrul was having tea with a few others when two masked attackers arrived and opened indiscriminate fire. He was struck by four to five bullets in the chest and back, causing him to fall from his chair. 3 gunned down in Jhenaidah The assailants fled the scene while firing blank shots to cover their escape. Kamrul was rushed to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Badda Police Station Md Saiful Islam told the media that CCTV footage from the area is being analysed to identify the shooters. “We hope the killers will be arrested soon,” he said. AL leader gunned down in Pabna Kamrul’s body has been sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.

A Dhaka court on Sunday imposed a travel ban on former Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and his family members. The other members are his wife Rehan Chowdhury, sons Hamdad Hossain and Araj Alam and daughters Raima Chowdhury and Alisha Babar Chowdhury. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Ghalib issued the order in response to an application filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), confirmed its Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam. Summons for Hasina  over contempt charges to be published in newspapers Earlier, ACC Deputy Director Md. Saiduzzaman submitted the application seeking a ban on their international travel. In its plea, the anti-graft body mentioned that the commission is investigating allegations of accumulating substantial illegal wealth through corruption and abuse of political influence. Beware of fraudsters impersonating police officers: Police Headquarters "During the investigation, information about various immovable properties—particularly in Canada, the US, and the UK—was found in their names. To prevent the accused from fleeing the country and evading justice, the commission requested that a travel ban be imposed on them," it added.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the publication of notices in two major newspapers to summon ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Chhatra League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul to respond to contempt of court charges. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Murtoza Majumder, issued the order after considering a petition from Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. The notices must be published within seven days in both Bengali and English newspapers, with the next hearing scheduled for June 3. The tribunal's action follows the circulation of an online audio clip in which Sheikh Hasina purportedly made a controversial speech claiming that "227 cases have been filed against me, so I have gotten licenses for killing 227 people." Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police conducted a forensic examination of the conversation and confirmed that it was authentic. A contempt of court complaint was filed against those on the call on April 30, for giving statements in the case arising from the July mass uprising. The International Crimes Tribunal accepted the complaint and ordered them to submit their response by May 15. But since they did not reply, the accused were ordered to appear before the tribunal on May 25. "As both Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul failed to appear before the tribunal today, the court has mandated their publication of notices to ensure their appearance and response to the contempt charges by the stipulated deadline."  

The Police Headquarters has urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious amid reports of fraudsters impersonating police officers using the names and photographs of real law enforcement personnel. In a press release issued on Sunday, the Police Headquarters said it has received complaints about fraud rings who are identifying themselves as police officers to deceive and defraud individuals. PHQ warns SI job aspirants against financial transactions Authorities have warned people not to fall victim to such scams and advised verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer before engaging with them. “Legal action against these fraudulent groups is going on. Bangladesh Police remains committed to ensuring public safety,” the statement said.

Two Bangladeshi youths were injured in a firing reportedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria early Sunday. The injured – Md Robiul Islam, 28, and Md Azad Hossain, 26, -- hailed from Shyampur frontier area of the upazila. They are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. According to sources, six youths intruded into Indian territories through the Khadla border around 1:30m. Sensing their presence, the BSF reportedly fired shots leaving two of them injured, they said. Later, their companions rescued them and took them to a local hospital. 4 Bangladeshis detained by BSF near Thakurgaon border Locals said smuggling activity, particularly of cattle, spices, cosmetics and fireworks, usually increases ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and the area is known for smuggling. Lt Col Ziaur Rahman, commandant of the BGB-60 Battalion, said they are aware of the matter and gathering information in this regard.

Top listed criminal Ali Akbar, alias Dhakaiya Akbar who was shot by miscreants at Patenga Sea Beach in Chattogram on May 23, died while undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Sunday morning. Nurul Alam Asheq, in-charge of the hospital police outpost, said Ali Akbar succumbed to his injuries at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital around 8am. On May 23, the miscreants opened fire targeting Akbar while chatting with his friends at a shop at the Sea Beach. Two tourists -- Jannatul Baki, 30, and Mahim Islam Ratul, 8, -- also suffered bullet wounds when a group of four youths riding two bikes began shooting. Akbar, son of Manju Mia from Bayezid Bostami area of the city, was accused in 10 cases, including for murder, illegal arms possession and extortion. He was known as a rival of nefarious criminals Sajjad Hossain and Sarwar Hossain. Top listed criminal Azim among five arrested from Dhaka: KMP Akbar frequently posted videos on his Facebook account mocking Sajjad's wife, Tamanna Sharmin and Sajjad himself. In response, Tamanna also posted videos threatening Akbar of taking action. Sajjad was arrested from a Dhaka shopping mall on 15 March.  Officer-in-charge of Patenga police station Shafiqul Islam said neither any accused was identified in the shooting incident yet nor any case was filed. A case will be filed now as a man died, he added.

The Financial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday froze 35 bank accounts belonging to journalist Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associated individuals and entities, with a total balance of Tk 181,653,739 (18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739) CID's Special Superintendent of Police (Media Wing) Jasim Uddin Khan said that Munni Saha and her husband allegedly exploited their profession to unlawfully exert influence and earn money through fraud and extortion. The illegally earned funds were reportedly transacted through various bank accounts held under their names and those of their associates and affiliated organizations. Acting on complaints, CID launched a money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019, targeting Munni Saha and those with ties to her, said Jasim. Court imposes travel ban on ex-MP Atiur, his wife and 15 others over graft allegations Preliminary investigation revealed that a total of 46 bank accounts had been opened under the names of Munni Saha, her husband, and related parties, of which 35 are currently active, he mentioned. According to Jasim, suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 1,865,691,008 (over Tk 186 crore) were traced through these accounts over time, with a current balance of over Tk 18 crore. Finding the transactions suspicious, the investigating officer sought a court order to freeze the accounts. In response, the Senior Special Judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued an order to freeze the 35 accounts, along with the funds currently held in them. Following the court order, all 35 accounts and the Tk 181,653,739 held in them have been officially frozen, said the CID official.