United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court has ordered the exhumation of the mortal remains of film actor Salman Shah, who died on September 6, 1996, as part of the ongoing investigation into his death. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana passed the order on May 24 following a petition filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police, seeking permission to exhume the body for further examination. However, the matter was disclosed only on Wednesday, said lawyer Faruk Ahmed. On May 20, CID Inspector Ziaul Morshed filed the petition seeking exhumation of the actor’s body for preparation of an inquest report and completion of a fresh autopsy in the presence of an executive magistrate, he said. Ziaul Morshed, also the investigating officer of the case, said the petition was filed to determine the actual cause of the death. Mohammad Alamgir Kumkum, maternal uncle of Salman, filed a murder case against 11 people at Ramna Police Station on October 21, 2025 following a court order. The accused are Salman’s wife Samira Haque, her mother Latifa Haque Lucy, businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai, Don, David, Zaved, Faruk, Rubi, Abdus Sattar, Saju and Rizvi Ahmed alias Farhad. According to the case statement, Salman Shah was found dead at his Easkaton flat in the capital on September 6, 1996. Later, his father Shah Kamaruddin Chowdhury filed an unnatural death case. On July 24, 1997, a petition was filed stating that Salman Shah was murdered. The court later asked the CID to investigate the issue. On November 3, 1997, the police unit gave its final report, saying Salman Shah committed suicide. Later, rejecting the CID’s claim, Kamaruddin Chowdhury filed a revision case in this regard. On May 19, 2003, the court sent the case to the judicial department for investigation. On August 3, 2014, Metropolitan Magistrate Emdadul Haque submitted the judicial statement in the case terming it a suicidal case. On February 10, 2015, Nila Chowdhury, mother of Salman Shah, filed a naraji petition in this regard. Finally, the case was shifted to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). On February 25, 2020, PBI Inspector Sirajul Islam submitted the investigation report before the court. On October 31, 2021, the court disposed of the case after accepting the report. However, on June 12, 2022, a revision case was filed with the Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge, alleging that Salman Shah was murdered.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Wednesday said the government has taken a series of measures, including tannery relocation and waste-treatment facilities to prevent the use of hazardous tannery waste in poultry and fish feed production. “The use of tannery waste in poultry and fish feed poses a serious threat to public health,” he said while replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Nilufar Chowdhury Moni (reserved seat-10) during the question-answer session in Parliament. "The issue is entirely true, and evidence from various studies and reports supports it," he said. The Minister said large quantities of chromium and other heavy metals are used in leather processing, while unscrupulous traders often utilise toxic tannery waste to produce low-cost protein feed for poultry and fish. As a result, highly toxic Hexavalent Chromium (Cr-VI) accumulates in chicken meat and eggs, he said, adding that the hazardous substance is not destroyed even by cooking. He warned that consumption of contaminated poultry and fish could lead to serious health complications, including cancer, liver cirrhosis, ulcers and kidney failure. Highlighting government initiatives to address the problem, the minister said one of the most significant measures was the relocation of tanneries from Hazaribagh in Dhaka to the Leather Industrial City at Hemayetpur in Savar. Considering public health and environmental concerns, the tannery industry was shifted from Hazaribagh to Savar, he said. "In 2017, following a High Court directive, utility connections to the Hazaribagh tanneries were disconnected to ensure the relocation was fully implemented," he added. The minister said a Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) has been established at the Savar Leather Industrial City to properly treat chemical waste generated by tanneries. "The primary objective of the CETP is to ensure that hazardous tannery waste is treated appropriately so that it cannot spread indiscriminately or be illegally used in poultry feed production," he said. Sakhawat Husain said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Department of Environment have been conducting regular mobile court drives against illegal factories producing poultry and fish feed from tannery waste in Hazaribagh and adjacent areas. He said many such illegal factories have been permanently shut down through enforcement actions. The minister also said the cancer risk associated with poultry feed produced from tannery waste is a scientifically established fact and noted that the government's interventions have significantly reduced the threat.

The Appellate Division on Tuesday stayed the High Court verdict that had directed the establishment of a separate Secretariat under the Supreme Court for subordinate courts within three months. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the state. The court also fixed June 16 for hearing appeal challenging the High Court judgment. The High Court verdict will remain stayed until the disposal of the appeal. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal represented the state while Senior lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir stood for the writ petitioner. The High Court on September 2, last year, asked the authorities concerned to establish a separate Secretariat under the Supreme Court for subordinate courts within three months. The full text of the judgment was published on April 7 this year. On April 20, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar filed an appeal seeking maintenance of the status quo regarding the Supreme Court secretariat and suspension of the provisions of the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Act. On May 21, the state filed an appeal seeking cancellation of the High Court verdict and requested a stay on its operation pending disposal of the appeal.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of former Swechchhasebak Dal leader Billal Hossain Talukdar in Mouchak area in Dhaka. The arrestees are Al Amin, convener of Ward No. 19 Jubo Dal and Riaz, an activist of the same ward unit. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ramna Division) Sheikh Zahidul Islam said on Tuesday that the two suspects were arrested from Dhaka and Munshiganj in connection with the killing. Based on secret information, police conducted special drives on Monday night and arrested them. The ex-Swechchhasebak Dal leader was killed on Monday at the parking area of Anarkali Super Market beside Siddheshwari Boys' School. Billal, a former convener of Ramna Thana Swechchhasebak Dal, was a businessman engaged in cement and sand trade. According to police, preliminary findings suggest that the murder stemmed from a longstanding rivalry over control of footpaths, extortion and local influence in the area. Further legal proceedings are underway.

Amid repeated attempts of ‘push-ins’ by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), upazila and station-level Ansar-VDP members have been deployed in 11 border districts. The districts are Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Jamalpur and Khagrachhari, according to Ansar-VDP headquarters. Ansar-VDP members have been deployed in border areas to strengthen coordinated security operations and improve border management under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in 2025, it said. According to the agreement, Ansar-VDP members perform duties in coordination with the BGB based on national needs and security requirements. In addition, Ansar battalion members have been kept on standby to respond quickly to emerging situations and provide additional manpower when required. Officials said the involvement of Ansar-VDP strengthens the national security framework and supports BGB operations. They added that this coordinated approach helps improve surveillance, prevent cross-border crimes and ensure the safety of people living in border areas.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Sunday expressed hope that the entire judicial process in the Ramsia murder case could be completed within the next three months. “Today's fast-track trial of the Ramsia murder case was not achieved by the government alone. It should be remembered that if the Hon'ble Chief Justice had not cancelled the leave of judges until June 15, it would not have been possible for the government to facilitate such a fast-track process,” he told reporters at Secretariat after the verdict. Explaining how the case could reach its final legal conclusion within three months, the minister said that if the case records are sent to the High Court within a week and paper books are prepared within the following 15 days, the death reference hearing could be completed within two weeks under special consideration. “After that, the case will move to the Appellate Division. I believe the entire process can be completed within three months,” he said. However, he said not all cases could be handled through a similar fast-track process. “We are trying to find a way out to determine how quickly we can dispose of such cases in the future,” he added. Regarding the death reference process, Asaduzzaman said the Chief Justice intends to take a more focused approach to ensure the speedy disposal of death reference cases including the Ramisa murder case. “I have spoken to the Chief Justice regarding the Ramisa case. He told me that once the court reopens, he will take more focused decisions to expedite all pending death reference cases,” he said. Asaduzzaman said he would continue to pursue the matter to ensure the swift disposal of both older cases and the Ramisa case. Responding to another question, he said there is no specific legal timeframe for the disposal of death reference cases, but efforts would be made to ensure that such cases are resolved as quickly as possible. Earlier in the day, a Dhaka tribunal sentenced prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun to death in a case over the rape and murder Ramisa Akter in the city’s Pallabi area.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said all important border-related issues including push-ins across the frontier will be discussed at the four-day director general-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF). “The DG-level meeting is held alternately in Bangladesh and India. This time it is our turn to visit India. All relevant issues will be discussed there,” he told reporters at Secretariat. Bangladesh is already engaging with India through diplomatic channels on border-related concerns while the country's border guards remain on alert.  “We will, InshaAllah, resist all attempts of border push-ins. However, these issues should primarily be resolved through diplomatic discussions,” he added. The 57th Director General (DG)-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) will be held in New Delhi from June 8 to 11. A 15-member Bangladesh delegation, led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, will participate in the four-day conference. The Indian delegation will be led by the BSF Director General and will comprise senior BSF officials as well as representatives from India's Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant agencies. This is the first DG-level talks between the border guard forces of the two countries since the BNP government came to power in February this year.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury on Sunday categorically stated that while media freedom exists in the country, anyone working against democracy or supporting terrorism will face legal action, regardless of their profession. "We want to make one thing clear — there is freedom of mass media in the country. However, under existing laws, whoever acts against upholding democracy, attempts to destroy it, or works in favour of terrorism is not above the law. Action will be taken against them under the prevailing laws," the state minister said. Chowdhury said this while responding to a supplementary question from National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah) during the question-and-answer session in Parliament. In his supplementary question, Hasnat Abdullah emphasized the necessity of professional security for journalists, noting that many professional journalists had performed their duties with dedication even during the hostile environment of the past 17 years. He asked: "What is the government thinking regarding those self-proclaimed journalists who, during the Awami League regime, legitimized and manufactured consent for forced disappearances, murders, vote rigging, bank robberies, and genocide?" Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy against criminals, Yaser Khan Chowdhury replied, "Whether the criminal is a journalist, politician, businessman, or employee — no one is above the law. If anyone acts against the law, the BNP-led government will definitely take action against them under the existing laws." Responding to another query from Netrokona-3 MP Rofiqul Islam Hilali regarding security risks faced by journalists investigating online gambling and cybercrimes, the State Minister disclosed that work is underway to update the guidelines for journalists working in online and digital media. Directives are being formulated to ensure their recognition, registration, and professional security, he added. Answering a question from Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abdin Farroque, Chowdhury mentioned that a specialized team is actively working to monitor individuals spreading misinformation and disinformation on social media. Furthermore, in response to a query from Cox's Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman, the State Minister stated that a policy is being drafted for approving new online portals and digital media outlets. Future approvals for all online media and portals will be granted in light of this upcoming policy. In separate written responses, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon provided detailed statistics regarding the country's print media. Replying to a query from BNP MP Nilofer Moni (Reserved Seat), the Minister informed the House that a total of 1,244 daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals are currently published from the capital, Dhaka. Of those, 585 are daily newspapers with 288 are media-listed, weekly magazines are 363 (56 are media-listed), while 296 are Monthly Magazines with 23 are media-listed. In response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the Information Minister stated that the current number of newspapers enlisted with the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) stands at 721. Meanwhile, replying to Madaripur-3 MP Anisur Rahman, Minister Swapon announced that steps are being taken to amend the Press Council Act of 1974. The initiative aims to modernize the law, making the Press Council stronger, more effective, and more media-friendly to ensure the rights, security, and working environment of journalists.

Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) have arrested a notorious robber and his two associates in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur. The detainees were identified as Md. Azim Bepari, 32, Md. Bashir, 40, and Rabbi, 16. All three are residents of Ramgati. The paramilitary force also recovered a locally made firearm, ammunition, and Tk 8 lakh in cash from their possession, according to a BCG press release issued on Saturday. Acting on a tip-off, a Coast Guard team conducted a special operation in the Meghna River near Janata Bazar in Ramgati and detained them, the release said. Based on information provided by the detainees, Coast Guard members later searched their hideout and recovered one locally made single-barrel gun, three rounds of live cartridges, and Tk 8 lakh in cash. Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said the Coast Guard would continue such operations in the future to help maintain law and order across the country.

Twenty-eight people have remained stranded near the zero line at the Bangabari border in Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj after a push-in attempt by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was foiled by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of Naogaon 16 BGB Battalion, said BSF members from Ashrafpur camp under Battalion 12 attempted to push the 28 individuals into Bangladesh through border pillar 203/6-S around 3:00am on Thursday. The group consists of 12 men, 10 women and six children, he said. BGB patrol teams from Bangabari Border Outpost (BOP) resisted the attempt, after which the individuals remainedstranded along the zero line. Sources said a flag meeting was held on Thursday afternoon at the company commander level, followed by a battalion commander-level meeting between BGB and BSF. Initially, BSF denied the push-in attempt during the meeting. However, it later acknowledged the incident at the battalion commander-level discussion.