United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed a case against the ruling Awami League’s research wing, the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), on charges of securing tax exemption without registration, embezzling funds and laundering a large sum of money through irregular transactions. Assistant Director Mubashshira Atia Tama filed the case at the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, on Monday, said ACC Public Relations Officer and Deputy Director Akterul Islam. The case names eight accused, including CRI Trustee Board Chairman and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy; Vice Chairman and Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul; Trustee and Hasina’s nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby; former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal; former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid; former NBR chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan; former NBR member Rowshan Ara Akhter; and CRI Executive Director Shabbir Bin Shams. According to the case statement, a total of Tk 15.68 crore from the funds deposited in CRI’s accounts was embezzled while CRI enjoyed tax exemption benefits despite not being registered under the Department of Social Services, causing financial losses to the government. The complaint further said the organization conducted ‘unusual transactions’ across multiple bank accounts, transferring large sums of money suspected to be linked to money laundering activities. The ACC investigation found that despite lacking registration, CRI collected Tk 45.35 crore from 23 different entities. Review of income tax records showed that between the fiscal years 2014–15 and 2023–24, CRI reported income of Tk 100.31 crore but failed to provide valid documentation for Tk 20.45 crore in expenditures. The discrepancy analysis indicated that while CRI’s accounts showed a balance of Tk 70.80 crore, bank statements reflected only Tk 55.11 crore, leaving Tk 15.68 crore unaccounted for, which the ACC claims was embezzled. The case further alleges that in 2019, CRI trustee Nasrul Hamid applied to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for tax exemption despite the organization not having proper registration. The then finance minister, NBR chairman, and NBR member approved the request, issuing SRO No. 83-Law/2019, which the ACC says violated provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance. 34 More Awami League, Front Organization Activists Held for Planning, Funding Flash Processions in Dhaka Taking advantage of the exemption, CRI allegedly evaded a total of Tk 36.52 lakh in taxes over three fiscal years while Tk 9.47 lakh in 2020–21, Tk 13.26 lakh in 2021–22, and Tk 13.78 lakh in 2022–23. The ACC said its review of 25 bank accounts under CRI’s name revealed deposits of Tk 247.85 crore and withdrawals of Tk 191.21 crore, amounting to transactions worth Tk 439 crore deemed ‘unusual’. The incident occurred between December 30, 2014, and July 10, 2024.  

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a directive restricting the use of mobile phones by on-duty police personnel, with the exception of team in-charges, in a bid to ensure heightened vigilance and more effective performance of their duties. The order, signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali on Monday, comes amid growing concern that police officers’ use of mobile phones during duty hours has been affecting alertness and disrupting the smooth execution of their responsibilities. Officials noted that such distractions could compromise both the safety of the officers themselves and the public, despite the visible presence of law enforcement personnel. According to the directive, unit in-charges have been tasked with briefing their forces to ensure full compliance before deployment. Any violation of the order will be considered a breach of discipline and handled in accordance with existing regulations. The move also comes as authorities prepare for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections. The DMP aims to maintain a peaceful environment, ensure law and order, and curb the activities of banned organisations during this sensitive period. Commissioner Sajjat Ali emphasised that the measure is intended to strengthen operational efficiency and protect both the public and police personnel from potential risks arising from lapses in vigilance.  

In a scene reminiscent of a crime thriller, bullets ripped through the morning air outside Dhaka National Medical College Hospital on Monday, killing Tarik Saif Mamun, whom police later identified as a top-listed criminal. Officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station Saiful Islam said the killing might be linked to a gang rivalry that resurfaced in recent months involving Mamun and his long-time rival Sanjidul Islam alias Iman, both once leaders of notorious ‘Iman-Mamun Gang’ that used to operate in Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur and Tejgaon areas. Police and witnesses said two armed assailants opened fire at Mamun near the hospital gate and fled the scene immediately. CCTV footages show the attackers firing multiple rounds of bullet before escaping. Hospital staff member Mohibullah said they rushed outside after hearing gunfire and found Mamun lying on the road with bullet wounds. “He was taken first to National Hospital and then transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead on arrival,” he said. DMCH police outpost in-charge Md Faruk said the body has been sent for autopsy. On September 18 in 2023, gunmen reportedly loyal to Iman opened fire fired at Mamun in Tejgaon Industrial Area around 10 pm, said police. Though Mamun escaped unhurt, Bhubon Chandra Shil, a motorcyclist returning home from work in Gulshan, was struck in the head by a stray bullet. He underwent brain surgery but finally he succumbed to his injuries on September 25 morning in 2023. Police at the time said the Tejgaon attack was a failed assassination attempt on Mamun planned by Iman’s associates. Both Mamun and Iman had long criminal records and were prime suspects in multiple high-profile murder cases including the killings of film actor Sohel Chowdhury and Saad Ahmed Tipu, brother of former army chief General Aziz Ahmed, said the OC. Mamun was recently released on bail after years in prison. Police have launched a drive to trace and arrest the killers with multiple intelligence units now coordinating the operation, said a police official requesting anonymity.

Police have arrested nine individuals, including Awami League activists and suspects wanted in various cases, during the ongoing `Operation Devil Hunt’ in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali. Jewel Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Kalapara Police Station, said the operation was conducted on Sunday night based on a tip-off, leading to the apprehension of the suspects from different areas under Kalapara and Mohipur police stations. The arrested individuals were produced before the court at 2:00 pm on Monday, he added. “As part of Operation Devil Hunt, we have arrested suspects involved in political cases, outstanding warrants, and cases related to drugs and yaba,” Jewel Islam said. Launched on the night of February 9, Operation Devil Hunt is aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country.

The Appellate Division on Monday upheld the High Court order that had granted bail to former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and journalist Manjurul Alam in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. An Appellate Division bench led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order after rejecting the petition filed by the state. Barrister Sara Hossain stood for Latif while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state. Earlier on November 6, the High Court granted bail to Latif Siddique and Manjurul Alam in the case. Police detained the former minister and several others after tensions broke out during an event organised by ‘Manch 71’, a platform of freedom fighters, in the capital on August 28. A group of youths identifying themselves as ‘July Fighters’ handed them over to police around noon, alleging that they had attempted to create chaos at the event held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Ex-minister Abdul Latif Siddique gets HC bail ‘Manch 71’organised a roundtable titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh” which was attended by freedom fighters, lawyers, writers, journalists, teachers, and former bureaucrats. Later, Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam of Shahbagh Police Station filed a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act. On August 29, a Dhaka court sent Latif Siddique, Dhaka University Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, and 14 others to jail in connection with the case.          

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday approved the chargesheet against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. The commission filed the case with the Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, on December 12 last year. Following an investigation into a complaint, the ACC submitted a report recommending the issuance of a notice of asset declaration against Benazir Ahmed. After the ACC ordered the asset declaration, Benazir Ahmed, through her lawyer, submitted information on immovable assets worth Tk 6.45 crore on August 8, 2024. ACC to sue 67 people over Islami Bank’s Tk 10,500 crore loan scam During the investigation, evidence revealed the acquisition of immovable property worth Tk 7.52 crore in her name. The ACC found that Benazir Ahmed concealed immovable property worth Tk 1.85 crore in his asset statement, including assets in the name of her minor daughter, Zahra Zareen Binte Benazir, violating Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004. In addition, evidence was found during the investigation of acquisition of immovable property worth Tk 8.12 crore in the name of accused Benazir Ahmed.  During the investigation, evidence was found of acquisition of immovable and movable assets worth Tk 7.52 crore in the name of accused Benazir Ahmed and acquisition of movable assets worth Tk 8.15 crore in the name of accused Benazir Ahmed along with evidence of acquisition of immovable and movable assets worth Tk 15.68 crore in the name of accused Benazir Ahmed.  Against the acquisition of the said assets, legal and acceptable income worth Tk 6.59 crore was found in the name of accused Benazir Ahmed. During the said period, he spent Tk 1.95 crore while net savings in his name, excluding expenses, is 4.63 crore.  

Over 5.5 lakh members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) will be deployed to ensure security during the upcoming national election, said Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad, Director General (DG) of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP. The Ansar DG came up with the information while talking to reporters after inaugurating the basic training programme for male and female Ansar-VDP members at Gokulnagar High School in Ashulia, Savar on Monday.  “Ansar members have been preparing since August 5. The entire force is being reorganised through reforms to include young members. Earlier, the force lacked young people but over the past one and a half years, we have started training youths aged between 18 and 25,” said the DG. Ansar members to accompany presiding officers during polls: Home Adviser Around 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh new members will receive training between December and January, and initiatives are underway to address all existing issues within the force. More than 500 male and female trainees are participating in the ten-day training programme. The training was organised by the Savar Upazila Ansar and VDP Office.  

A man was shot dead in broad daylight in front of Dhaka National Medical College Hospital in Sutrapur in the capital on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Tarik Saif Mamun, 50. Mohibullah, a ward master at the hospital, said they came out after hearing gunfire and found the man lying on the road with bullet wounds. He was immediately rescued and taken to the National Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack The victim’s cousin, Hafiz, said, “My brother Mamun was an ordinary person. I have no idea why he was killed. He had no political affiliations, and I don’t know who committed this murder or why.” CCTV footage from the area shows two armed men firing shots in front of the hospital before fleeing the scene. Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, said the body has been sent to the morgue for autopsy and the relevant police station has been informed.

A case has been filed accusing six people of raping a woman inside a microbus in the Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj. The 19-year-old victim filed the case at Siddhirganj Police Station around midnight on Sunday, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahinur Alam. The victim has been sent to Narayanganj General Hospital for a medical examination. According to the case statement, the incident took place on Friday afternoon in a secluded area of Jalkuri Dashpipe, where the woman was allegedly raped inside a parked microbus. All the accused are under 30 years old, the OC said, adding that their names are being withheld for the sake of the investigation. The victim said that the accused were her neighbors and known to her family. In 2017, her mother borrowed Tk 4 lakh from one of them, which was fully repaid by 2022. However, the lender did not return the non-judicial stamp that had been signed as a mortgage document. On Friday, the woman was reportedly called to the Signboard area on the pretext of returning the document, taken into the microbus, and later raped inside the vehicle, she alleged. Quoting the victim, OC Shahinur said the second accused committed the rape, while the others assisted him. After the incident, she was dropped off near the Signboard area. “Police are trying to identify and arrest those involved,” he added.

The High Court has suspended for one month the implementation of the Chittagong Port Authority’s (CPA) decision to collect increased tariffs, which was set to take effect following a circular issued on September 30. The High Court bench of Justice Qazi Zinat Haque and Justice Ainun Nahar Siddiqa passed the order along with a rule on Sunday after hearing a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Maritime Law Society challenging the legality of the decision. The court also issued a rule asking why the September 14 gazette and the September 30 circular should not be declared as issued without legal authority. Lawyer Mohiuddin Abdul Quader moved the writ petition on behalf of the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Noor Muhammad Azmi represented the state. According to the gazette published on September 14, the Chittagong Port Authority increased various service charges by an average of 41 percent, with the highest rise in container transport tolls. The subsequent circular on September 30 announced that the new rates would come into effect on October 15. Following Sunday’s order, petitioner’s lawyer Mohiuddin Abdul Quader said the court had suspended the implementation of the circular for one month, meaning the increased tariffs cannot be collected during this period. Deputy Attorney General Noor Muhammad Azmi said the state would file an appeal with the Appellate Division against the High Court’s order.