United News of Bangladesh

Police recovered 35 crude bombs and a large quantity of bomb-making materials from an abandoned house in the capital's Geneva Camp area on Friday. Acting on prior intelligence, a team of Mohammadpur police station conducted a raid around 6:10pm and recovered the crude bombs and bomb making materials from an abandoned house in Sector 7 of the camp. Being informed, a Bomb Disposal Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan rushed to the scene and began the process of defusing the recovered explosives, DMP's DC media Talebur Rahman on Friday evening. Legal proceedings in connection with the recovery are underway, police said.

A case has been filed accusing the sole suspect who allegedly stabbed to death the 16-year-old son of a judge in Rajshahi city on Thursday. Abdur Rahman, Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Rajshahi, lodged the case on Friday afternoon against the accused with Rajpara police station, said Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) spokesperson Gaziur Rahman. After filing the case, the judge left for his ancestral home in Jamalpur with the body of his son Tausif Rahman Sumon. The accused is Limon Mia who has been undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city under police custody. After recovering he will be produced before a court. Police said Limon hails from Bhavaniganj village in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha district. His father SM Solaiman Sheikh is a former union parishad member and local BNP leader. Limon previously served in the army but lost his job in 2018 and later became addicted to drugs. He had a prior acquaintance with Judge Rahman’s wife Tasmina Nahar Lucy from whom he reportedly borrowed money. When the payments stopped, Limon allegedly began harassing and threatening them. Tasmina filed a general diary in Sylhet on November 6 regarding threats to her life. According to locals, Limon entered the rented residence of the judge in Dabtola area of the Rajshahi city on Thursday around 2:30pm, registering under Tasmina’s brother’s name with the guard. Law Adviser orders immediate action over attack on Rajshahi judge’s family During the intrusion, Tausif was first stabbed to death. Tasmina and Limon also sustained injuries in the scuffle and later were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Friday morning, Tausif’s body underwent autopsy at the Rajshahi Medical Hospital conducted by Dr. Kafil Uddin and Dr. Sharmin Sobhan Kaberi of the Forensic Medicine Department. Dr. Kafil said Tausif suffered sharp-force injuries to his right thigh, right leg, and right arm, severing major blood vessels and causing internal bleeding, which led to his death. A faint ligature mark was noted on his neck, likely from soft material applied during the attack, but this was not the cause of death. After the autopsy, members of the Quantum Foundation Rajshahi Center performed the ritual cleansing of the body, which was then transported in a refrigerated ambulance. Tausif was a ninth-grade student at Rajshahi Government Laboratory School. Police are continuing the investigation and interrogating the accused to determine if others were involved, and legal proceedings will follow, RMP official Gaziur Rahman added. 

Three police personnel, including a sub-inspector, were injured in an attack allegedly by the accused of a case over the stalking and beating a woman in Parshuram upazila of Feni on Friday. The injured, SI Munna Dey, constables Ruhul Aman and Nazmul, were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. SI Munna said one Shefali Akter lodged a written complaint against two brothers, Faisal and Rajib, who allegedly stalked her and beat up in Dakshin Kolapara village of the upazila a few days back. Around 10am, a three-member police team went to the plaintiff’s house to investigate the allegations, he said. At one stage, the plaintiff and the accused got locked into an altercation over the matter, prompting the police personnel to intervene, the SI said. During the chaos, the brothers and their father, Faruk Hossain, attacked them with sharp weapons, leaving the trio injured, he said. Later, locals rescued them and sent them to the Upazila Health Complex, the police official said, adding that the Faisal and Rajib are reportedly to be members of the upazila unit of Jubo Dal. Officer-in-charge of Md Nurul Hakim of Parshuram Police Station said a case would be filed against the accused and efforts were to detain them.

Police arrested Dhaka University’s Chemistry Department professor Md Ershad Halim on Thursday around 11:00pm from his Shewrapara residence in the capital for allegedly sexually harassing male students. Confirming his arrest on Friday, DU Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “The legal process will take its due course. Police contacted us and we informed them that they could proceed with the arrest if the offence is cognisable." He said the university authorities have already instructed Prof Ershad to refrain from all academic and administrative duties after two students filed complaints of sexual harassment. “Further action will follow a thorough investigation. The charge sheet has been forwarded to the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell,” he said. On Thursday night, students of the Chemistry Department held a press conference at the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) office, alleging that Prof Ershad had harassed several male students and subjected them to physical and sexual abuse.

The district administration and health department have ordered the temporary closure of four private hospitals and diagnostic centers in Chandina upazila of Comilla due to irregularities. The facilities are Ibne Sina Hospital, New Chandina Medical Center (also known as Insaf Community Hospital), an unnamed private hospital, and Doa Diagnostic Center. Cumilla Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Reza Mohammad Sarwar Akbar confirmed the closures on Friday, saying the institutions have been asked to correct the errors within seven days and submit a report to the Civil Surgeon's office. Sources said several facilities lacked valid licenses, did not display price lists in Bengali, had no pathological fridges or color-coded bins in labs, and were operating X-ray rooms without technicians. Dengue cases were reportedly identified but not reported to the health department, and expired reagents were being used. Some centers reportedly had no doctors, technicians, or cleaners on duty. Dr. Akbar said regular inspections will continue at private hospitals and diagnostic centers across the district to ensure quality healthcare services.  

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has ordered swift action against those responsible for a knife attack in Rajshahi that killed a judge’s son and left his wife seriously injured on Thursday. In a statement, Adviser Nazrul strongly condemned the brutal attack on the rented residence of Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman at around 2:30 pm. He said law enforcement agencies have taken immediate steps and the government is closely monitoring the treatment of the injured Tasmin Nahar at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, maintaining round-the-clock communication with hospital authorities. Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, Nazrul also assured that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the judiciary and their families. The victim, 18-year-old Tausif Rahman Sumon, a class IX student and son of Judge Abdur Rahman, was hacked to death, while his mother was severely injured in the violent attack at their rented home in the Dabtola area. According to Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian, the assailant entered the residence and attacked the family indiscriminately. Police have arrested a suspect, Emon, in connection with the murder. Investigators said Judge Abdur Rahman had earlier filed a general diary (GD) against the suspect while serving in Sylhet, citing concerns over his behavior.

Police in Chittagong have recovered about 100,000 yaba tablets worth an estimated Tk 3 crore from an abandoned private car in the Firingi Bazar area under Kotwali police station. The operation took place on Thursday around 6:30 p.m. near the old Fishery Ghat area, according to OC Abdul Karim of Kotwali police. Assistant Police Commissioner Nure Al Mahmud of Kotwali Zone and members of the Detective Branch were also present. Police said a patrol team was deployed in the area after receiving a tip-off. A Premio car, Dhaka Metro G–371849, was spotted violating the checkpoint signal and speeding away. The vehicle was later abandoned a short distance away. During a search, officers recovered 10 packets of yaba, including nine wrapped in yellow tape and one in black tape. The estimated market value of the recovered drugs is about Tk 3 crore. The car has been taken to the police station, and the packets will be formally counted in the presence of media. No arrests have been made yet in connection with the case.

The administration of Dhaka University has suspended five security guards following an incident in which locks were placed allegedly by members of the banned student front of the Awami League on gates at five campus locations. A statement from the university’s public relations office on Thursday said the guards were temporarily dismissed for negligence in duty. The suspended guards are— Md. Shah Alam (IER), Md. Selim (IER), Md. Sangram Hossain (between Fine Arts faculty gates), Md. Shafiqul Islam (Nutrition and Food Science), and Md. Ali Ahmed (back gate of Curzon Hall). According to the university, the guards were on duty from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Nov. 11. During inspections by the Proctorial Security Mobile Team, negligence in carrying out security responsibilities was observed. The locks were placed as part of a 'lockdown' program called by Awami League, carried out by leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, whose outright organisational ban predates the one on its mother party's activities. The locks were secured with chains, and white papers reading “Lockdown BSL” (Chhatra or 'Bangladesh Student League') were attached. Some of their leaders posted as much on Facebook, describing how they executed what was immediately considered a serious breach, even amid the heightened activity on the day. Confirming the matter, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “The guards have been temporarily dismissed for dereliction of duty and have been served show-cause notices. The individuals who placed the locks are being traced. CCTV footage has been obtained, and efforts are underway to identify them.”

Police Headquarters has urged the public not to be misled by propaganda on social media using the names and identities of police officials. In a statement issued on Thursday, it said that recently some quarters have been spreading fabricated videos featuring the photos of the DMP Commissioner, Superintendent of Police in Tangail, and AIG (Media and PR) od Police headquarters with artificial voices and false information to mislead people. The statement added that such activities are part of an attempt by certain groups to create unrest, incite destructive acts, and carry out subversive activities in the country. It also said that Bangladesh Police remain firm in taking legal action against those involved in such propaganda. The people have been urged not to like, comment, or share any information, photo, statement, audio, or video on social media without verifying its authenticity.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Thursday set November 17 to deliver its first verdict in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s July-August uprising. A three-member tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder and Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, fixed the date. Two other accused in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Mamun testified as a state witness. Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused in the case. On March 16 this year, the prosecution appealed to include former IGP Mamun as an accused alongside Sheikh Hasina and the tribunal approved it. After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024, the ICT was reconstituted. The first case in the reconstituted tribunal concerned alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising, with Sheikh Hasina as the accused. The tribunal conducted its first hearing on October 17 last year, issuing an arrest warrant against Hasina that day. Tensions rise as ICT going to set verdict date in Hasina case After extending the deadline several times, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its final probe report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on May 12 this year. On June 1, the prosecution formally filed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the two accused. The charges include: ·         Inciting violence in a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024; ·         Ordering the elimination of protestors using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons; ·         The shooting death of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur; ·         The killing of six protestors at Chankharpul, Dhaka; ·         The burning of six individuals in Ashulia. The tribunal formally framed these charges on July 10. Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, while former IGP Mamun is the only arrested accused. On the day the charges were framed, Mamun admitted his involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising and applied to testify as a state witness. Arguments in the case began on October 12 and concluded on October 23. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has sought the death penalty for Hasina and Asaduzzaman over the alleged crimes. ICT orders trial against Inu over six Kushtia killings On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain has sought acquittal for both Hasina and Khan, while Mamun’s lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal.