United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has expanded its AI-based traffic camera network to 19 key intersections in the capital with four new cameras added on Tuesday, said DMP Commissioner Musleh Uddin Ahmed. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating an AI camera at Lake Road under Tejgaon Traffic Division, the commissioner said technology is being gradually extended to other important intersections in the city. He said around 1,500 traffic cases have so far been filed using AI cameras. As the fines vary depending on the nature of the offences, updated information on the total amount of fines collected is available with the traffic division. Regarding AI-based traffic cases, the commissioner said notices are sent not only through mobile messages but also by post to the registered owners of vehicles found violating traffic laws. SMS notifications are also sent from designated DMP Traffic Division numbers while the information is published on the DMP traffic portal and website. Responding to a question about prosecution notices being sent to previous owners when vehicle ownership has not been officially transferred after a sale, he said around 38,000 summons have so far been issued. On the issue of battery-operated auto-rickshaws, the DMP commissioner said drives against such vehicles are continuing, although it is not possible to remove all of them from Dhaka’s roads immediately. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs and DMP have taken a policy decision regarding battery-operated auto-rickshaws and are working with relevant stakeholders to implement it. Necessary measures will be taken gradually in line with a coordinated decision. Earlier at the inauguration ceremony, the DMP commissioner said AI cameras have been installed at important intersections and accident-prone points to ensure better traffic management and road safety. “As a result, there has been unprecedented and visible improvement in traffic management. It has created a positive tendency among drivers to stay within designated lanes and comply with traffic signals,” he said. He added that the combination of traffic diversions and modern signal lights is laying the foundation for transforming Dhaka into a modern and smart city. “We are committed to maintaining this momentum and have adopted stricter, technology-driven measures to enforce traffic laws,” he said.

The Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2294 cases for traffic rule violations in different parts of the capital on Monday. During the drives, DMP filed 107 cases in the Ramna zone, 224 in the Lalbagh zone, 422 in the Motijheel zone, 169 in the Wari zone, 270 in the Tejgaon zone, 523 in the Mirpur zone, 375 in the Uttara zone and 204 in the Gulshan zone, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP Niaz Mehedi said on Tuesday. Besides, a total of 510 vehicles were impounded and 343 others were towed away during the drives. The DMP Traffic Division will continue such drives to maintain discipline on Dhaka's roads, he said.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday in the crimes against humanity case against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu over his alleged role in the killing of six people and other offences committed during the July uprising in Kushtia. The verdict will be pronounced at 1:30 pm by a three-member bench of ICT-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The proceedings will be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV), subject to the tribunal's permission. On May 14, after concluding final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the tribunal kept the case under curia advisari vult (CAV), meaning the judgment was reserved for a later date. The prosecution was represented by Prosecutors Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar and others, while senior lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury led the defence. The defence presented arguments over nine days, contending that Inu was not a member of parliament during the July 2024 uprising and had no involvement in the killings in Kushtia. According to the defence, prosecution witnesses also acknowledged that Inu was not present in Kushtia when the killings took place. The tribunal received the investigation report against Inu on September 11, 2025. Testimony began on November 30, with 10 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses examined during the trial. The case stems from the July-August 2024 mass uprising. On August 5, 2024, six people—worker Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh were killed when police allegedly opened fire on student protesters and civilians at different locations in Kushtia town. Many others were also injured. According to the prosecution, the formal charges against Hasanul Haq Inu comprise eight allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the suppression of the July 2024 mass uprising. To begin with, prosecutors allege that on July 18, 2024, Inu, as president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), a key ally of the then-ruling 14-party alliance, gave an interview to the Mumbai-based Indian television channel Mirror Now, where he described the protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists and communal elements. The prosecution claims the remarks were intended to delegitimise the movement and incite the use of force against demonstrators. The prosecution further alleges that on July 19, 2024, Inu attended a meeting of the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban chaired by then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. During the meeting, prosecutors claim, a decision was taken to deploy the military nationwide and order security forces to open fire on unarmed participants of the quota reform and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Inu is accused of taking part in the decision-making process and of instigating, aiding and facilitating its implementation. Moreover, prosecutors allege that on July 20, 2024, Inu telephoned the superintendent of police in his home district of Kushtia and instructed the officer to identify protesters from photographs, prepare lists of participants and take action against them. In addition, the prosecution claims that Inu maintained regular communication with Sheikh Hasina throughout the movement and was involved in planning and conspiring to suppress the protests through the use of lethal weapons, deployment of armed groups, helicopter attacks, arrests and torture. Prosecutors allege that he advised and encouraged such measures. The charges also state that during an interview with News24 on July 27, 2024, Inu again labelled protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists, militants and communal forces in an effort to discredit the movement. He is further accused of endorsing the imposition of curfew and supporting the government's use of lethal force, killings and repression against protesters. Furthermore, prosecutors allege that Inu attended another 14-party alliance meeting chaired by Sheikh Hasina on July 29, 2024, where he repeated his characterisation of the protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists and communal elements. He is also accused of proposing a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, which, according to the prosecution, helped legitimise the killings and repression carried out by law enforcement agencies and armed activists of the ruling alliance. The prosecution also alleges that on August 4, 2024, Inu endorsed the government's decision to impose a curfew and use live ammunition against protesters. He is further accused of conspiring with Sheikh Hasina over the phone to implement those measures and directing leaders and activists of his party accordingly. Finally, prosecutors allege that on August 5, 2024, acting on a conspiracy and directives involving Sheikh Hasina, Hasanul Haq Inu and former Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, Awami League activists, affiliated organisations and police opened fire on unarmed student protesters and civilians at various locations in Kushtia town. The prosecution says the shootings killed six people—Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali (Babu), Abdullah Al Mustakin, Md Usama, Bablu Farazi and Yusuf Sheikh.

Former Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni returned to Munshiganj District Jail on Monday after receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Md Fazlul Haque, who brought her to the hospital, said Dipu Moni suddenly fell ill at the jail in the morning. She was first taken to Munshiganj Sadar Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 8 am on the instructions of the higher authorities. After undergoing initial examinations at the hospital's emergency department, she was taken to the medicine department in the new building for treatment. Following treatment, Dipu Moni was discharged and taken back to Munshiganj jail at around 10:30 am. Dipu Moni was arrested on August 19 last year following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 amid a mass uprising led by students and the public. She has remained in custody since then.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday said information, photos and videos circulating on various social media platforms claiming that multiple bodies had been recovered from the Turag River are baseless and misleading. Briefing' reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road in the afternoon, DMP Joint Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Faruk Hossain said the police had thoroughly examined the matter and found no truth to the claims. He said no reports of any series of body recoveries, murders or any related incidents had been found in the Turag Police Station area. Even no complaint, General Diary (GD) or case has been filed with the police by any person found no evidence supporting the information circulated on social media. The Bangladesh Police has already issued an official statement on the matter through its verified Facebook page. The briefing also said after reviewing the geographical jurisdictions of Pallabi and Rupnagar police stations areas under the Mirpur Crime Division, it didn't found any similarity between the social media claims and the two police stations. Even the concerned police stations have yet to get any complaints, information or evidence supporting such incidents. People have been urged not to spread, believe or share unverified information circulated on social media and warned that rumours, misleading or provocative content could create public unrest and deteriorate the law and order situation. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Uttara Division Mirza Tarek Ahmed Beg, DC (Mirpur Division) Mostak Sarker and Additional Deputy Commissioner of DMP's Media and Public Relations Division Niaz Mehdi were also present at the press briefing.

Four people have been arrested in separate incidents of child rape and sexual assault following complaints received through the National Emergency Service 999 over the past three days. Police Inspector Anwar Sattar, media and public relations officer of the National Emergency Service, confirmed the incidents on Sunday. In the latest incident, a father from Maona area in Rupganj, Narayanganj, called 999 on Sunday morning, alleging that a 40-year-old man had attempted to rape his five-year-old daughter. After learning about the alleged assault from the child, the father sought legal assistance through the emergency hotline. The call was received by 999 call-taker ASI Tahera Khatun, while SI Mozaffar Hossain coordinated the response with the caller and local police. A team from Rupganj Police Station rushed to the scene and arrested the accused, Md Arif, 40, son of Judge Mia of Maona, with the help of local residents. Further legal action is underway. In another incident, a caller informed 999 on Saturday afternoon that an eight-year-old girl had been raped in South Habir Bari Khondkar Para of Bhaluka in Mymensingh. The information was immediately relayed to Bhaluka Police Station. The call was received by Constable Farzana Akter and coordinated by SI Wahab Mia. Police later arrested the accused, Badal Robi Das, 45, of Tundapara in Bhaluka, with assistance from local residents. A case has been filed in connection with the incident. In a separate incident on Saturday, a caller from Dilmaria area in Puthia, Rajshahi, informed 999 that an 11-year-old girl had been subjected to an attempted rape. The call was received by Constable Papon Bhuiyan and coordinated by SI Md Monir. A team from Puthia Police Station subsequently arrested the accused, Abdur Razzaq, 66, son of late Jasim Uddin of Paschim Mobag Purbapara in Puthia. A case has also been filed in this regard. Meanwhile, police arrested a muezzin and Maktab teacher in Sadullapur upazila of Gaibandha after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a seven-year-old female student inside a mosque on Friday. The accused, Monir Hossain, 21, son of Milon Mia of Akand Para village, served as the muezzin of Kishamat Bagchi Ashkar Para Jame Mosque and taught at its Maktab. According to police, the incident took place after Maktab classes ended in the afternoon when the teacher allegedly kept the child inside the mosque and attempted to rape her. The girl managed to escape after screaming for help, prompting local residents to surround the mosque. A local resident then called 999. The call was received by Constable Hajera Akter and coordinated by SI Mohiuddin Munna. Acting on the information, police from Sadullapur Police Station arrested the accused and filed a case. Monir was sent to a court in Gaibandha on Saturday afternoon. Officer-in-Charge of Sadullapur Police Station AKM Habibul Islam confirmed the matter.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday sentenced three former police officers, including ex-Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman, to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed in the capital’s Rampura area during the July 2024 mass uprising, where two people were killed and two others were injured. The three-member ICT-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, also awarded life imprisonment to another former police officer and 20 years in prison to another one. The two other condemned convicts are former Assistant Deputy Commissioner of DMP Rashedul Islam and former Officer-in-Charge of Rampura Police Station Mashiur Rahman. Former Sub-Inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan received life imprisonment and ex-Assistant SI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar was given 20 years' imprisonment. It is the fifth judgement delivered by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal. According to the prosecution, six-year-old Musa was shot and critically injured in police action on July 19, 2024 during the July Movement. The bullet passed through the child and struck his grandmother Maya Islam. Musa survived following treatment, but Maya succumbed to her injuries. Another victim, Md Nadim, was also shot dead in the same incident. In a separate incident the same day, a video that went viral on social media showed 18-year-old Amir Hossain hanging from the cornice of an under-construction building. The footage appeared to show two policemen firing at him while he desperately clung to the edge. A total of 13 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case. On June 15, both the prosecution and defence concluded the second round of closing arguments. On that day, defence counsel Sarwar Jahan Nippon argued on behalf of former ASI Chanchal Chandra of Rampura Police Outpost, claiming that his client had no involvement in the incident. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, however, sought the maximum punishment for all five accused. After hearing arguments from both sides, the tribunal fixed June 28 for pronouncing the verdict. Of the five convicts, only Chanchal Chandra is in custody, while the other four remain fugitives. The verdict had initially been scheduled for March 4 this year but was deferred after the prosecution sought permission to submit additional digital evidence. The tribunal formally indicted the five accused on September 18 last year, paving the way for the trial. The prosecution had submitted the formal charges on August 7.

Detectives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested former Awami League lawmaker from Jamalpur-1, Noor Mohammad, from the capital's Gulshan area on Saturday night. Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the DMP Md Niaz Mehedi said Noor Mohammad is an accused in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act in Jamalpur. He is also a suspect in a case filed over a procession and a cocktail explosion in the Mohakhali Bus Terminal area of the capital on June 18, 2026, he said. Legal action against him is underway, the DMP official added.  

A team of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), Dhaka Metro (North), arrested four alleged drug dealers from the Jatrabari area of the capital early Saturday and seized 8,000 Yaba tablets. The arrested were identified as Kerama Chakma, 38; Laumang Chakma, 44; Leraiyya Chakma, 24; and Chamiya Chakma, 29. According to the DNC, acting on confidential information, officials learned that a group of drug dealers was travelling to Dhaka from Rangamati carrying a large consignment of Yaba tablets on a Saudia Silky Paribahan bus (Chattogram Metro-B-11-1915). Based on the information, a temporary anti-narcotics check post was set up at the Mayor Hanif Flyover toll plaza under Jatrabari Police Station. At around 4:30 am, the bus was searched and the four suspects were arrested with 8,000 Yaba tablets. During preliminary interrogation, officials said the arrestees are relatives and have been involved in Yaba trafficking for a long time, assisting each other in the trade. A case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, with Inspector Abdullah Al Mamun as the complainant. The DNC said such drives against drug trafficking will continue.

Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard exchanged gunfire with the notorious pirate group known as the “Dulabhai Bahini” during a special operation deep inside the Sundarbans, with the drive still ongoing, a Coast Guard official said on Friday. Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Suzan, Media Officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, said the operation was conducted on June 25 in a remote forest area near Bonpara under Koyra upazila of Khulna district. According to the Coast Guard, the pirates, who were positioned on a boat, opened fire after detecting the presence of law enforcers. Coast Guard personnel returned fire in self-defence, targeting the pirates’ vessel. During the operation, three suspected members of the pirate gang were rescued with gunshot injuries and sent to Koyra Upazila Health Complex for treatment, the official said. The Coast Guard said efforts are continuing to recover illegal firearms and ammunition and arrest other members of the gang who managed to flee the scene. A detailed briefing will be provided to the media once the operation is completed, the statement added. The Coast Guard said the situation in the area remains fully under control and urged local residents not to be misled by rumours or panic, and to continue their normal activities. Authorities also warned that members of the pirate group may attempt to take shelter in nearby localities or remote areas within the Sundarbans. The Coast Guard called on the public to remain vigilant and provide any relevant information to law enforcement agencies. It assured that the identities of informants would be kept confidential and that those providing useful information would be rewarded.