The High Court has observed that the August 21, 2004 grenade attack case should be sent to the Home Ministry for a fresh investigation by a qualified and expert agency to ensure justice. The HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain made the remarks while delivering the full text of its verdict on Thursday. The HC also directed the concerned office to forward a copy of this order to the Home Ministry for appropriate and necessary action. "It is a heinous, tragic incident in the history of this country, where many people lost their lives, including then Awami League leader Ivy Rahman. The killings need to be investigated properly and independently to ensure justice, which has been completely absent in this case until today. In this context, we believe the case should be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs to take necessary steps and initiate a fresh investigation by a proper and expert agency to ensure the proper administration of justice," said the High Court bench. HC questions validity of canceling Channel I journalist’s press accreditation On December 1, the bench overturned the verdict of a lower court in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack, acquitting all convicts, including BNP's Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar. The court also declared the charge sheet in the case “illegal.” The bench delivered the judgment after holding a hearing on death references (trial court documents for confirmation of capital punishment) and appeals filed by some of the convicts of the cases. The grenade attack, a shocking incident, occurred on Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004. At least 24 people, including Awami League’s women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Sheikh Hasina survived but suffered hearing impairment. On October 10, 2018, a Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal issued a verdict in one of the cases (pertaining to murder and explosives). The tribunal sentenced 19 people, including Lutfozzaman Babar and former deputy education minister Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Besides, 19 others, including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, were handed life imprisonment sentences, while 11 accused received various terms of imprisonment and fines.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has granted permission to 579 field-level officials of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) to use weapons. These officials, ranging from deputy directors to sub-inspectors, will now be authorised to use 9 mm semi-automatic pistols (T-54). Alongside this approval, the ministry has issued the "Department of Narcotics Control (Officers-Employees) Weapon Procurement and Usage Policy 2024." The Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the policy on Tuesday. According to the policy, the DNC serves as the nodal agency for curbing narcotics abuse in Bangladesh. Field-level officials regularly conduct narcotics recovery operations, arrest drug traffickers, and manage case investigations. The ministry developed the policy to strengthen the DNC and address the security risks its officials face during these operations. DNC currently employs 3,059 personnel. This includes one director general, four directors, nine additional directors, 90 deputy directors, 93 assistant directors, 186 inspectors, 210 sub-inspectors, 285 assistant sub-inspectors, and 928 sepoys. Of them, 1,806 officers and employees are actively involved in narcotics crime suppression. The ministry has prioritised weapon procurement for 579 field-level personnel, including 90 deputy directors, 93 assistant directors, 186 inspectors, and 210 sub-Inspectors. The policy seeks to enhance their operational capacity and ensure their safety during anti-drug missions.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday night gave approval to arrest four police officials accused in cases of assaults and killings filed over the recent student-led upsurge. A notification, signed by Abu Sayeed, deputy secretary of the Public Security Division under the ministry, was issued in this regard. The accused are additional superintendents of police (add. SPs) Shahen Shah, Hasan Arafat, Jewel Rana and Md Rafiqul Islam. They were all promoted to Superintendent of Police (SP) during the Awami League regime and worked under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Read: No case, arrest for involvement in July-August mass uprising: Home Ministry Of them, Shahen Shah and Hasan Arafat were attached to the Detective Branch while Jewel in the Diplomatic Security division and Rafiqul in Gulshan division. With this, the ministry has so far permitted arrest of 30 police officials who were sued in cases filed for their alleged involvement in attacking and firing during the upsurge that ousted Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the authorities concerned to refrain from suing, arresting and harassing those involved in the July-August mass upsurge. A notification was issued in this regard on Monday. Read more: US again denies any role in former prime minister Hasina's ouster in mass upsurge According to the notification, students and mass people who actively worked to make the mass uprising a success from July 15 to August 8 will not be arrested, sued or harassed. The authorities concerned were asked to remain highly vigilant in this regard.

Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has assured that the Buddhist Federation will receive all necessary assistance to ensure their events are held in a peaceful and joyful environment. He made this commitment during a discussion today with leaders of the Buddhist Federation at the Ministry of Home Affairs. No security threat around Durga Puja: Home Adviser Following the meeting, the adviser spoke to journalists, emphasizing the government’s dedication to providing comprehensive support. “We have assured the leaders of the Buddhist Federation that they will be able to organize their event in a joyous atmosphere. Whatever form of cooperation they need, we will provide,” said the adviser. Addressing concerns about security, especially in the Hill Tracts, he said that while the issue of the hill districts was not specifically discussed, there is no reason for concern. "Anyone attempting to breach security will face appropriate action," he warned. Stay away from lobbying for positions: Home Adviser to Newly Appointed Passport Officers In the same discussion, the Home Affairs Adviser also commented on the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations. After visiting Gazipur to observe the festivities, he noted the positive atmosphere and expressed hope that the celebrations would continue smoothly. “If any issues arise, we will be informed and will take necessary steps to address them,” he added. The Adviser to the Buddhist Federation, Sukumar Barua, acknowledged the cooperation from the Home Ministry, saying that they had sought support to ensure a peaceful and successful event. "There is always some concern about security, and this year is no exception. We have requested assistance to hold our event safely and beautifully," he said.

Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Huq today (September 23, 2023) said that an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for better treatment. He said this while talking to reporters in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura upazila. BNP extends 15-day programmes by 2 days “The application must be submitted to the Home Ministry, which then can ask the Law Ministry for its opinion. A decision will be reached upon their formal submission,” he said.  “Khaleda Zia continues to receive quality healthcare at Evercare Hospital despite her prison sentence, courtesy of the benevolence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the law minister added. Earlier on September 18, the Security Services Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification extending the suspension of Khaleda’s jail term by another six months. BNP’s associate bodies’ road march from Rangpur to Dinajpur begins this noon Khaleda Zia has to receive treatment in Dhaka, and she will not be allowed to go abroad during this period, said the notification. BNP held special prayers for her at the metropolitan, district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels across the country after Jummah prayers. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. BNP ‘secretly’ preparing for election to start nomination trade: Quader Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government of Bangladesh temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.

This year's Ramadan is still a couple of days away, but a segment of traders already appears eager to increase profit margins by raising the prices of different commodities. The government of Bangladesh however claims to be on to them, and has taken various initiatives to keep the market stable during the holy month. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed officials to increase surveillance across the country so that dishonest businessmen cannot make excessive profits. She particularly instructed the field-level administration to be on alert. The Commerce Ministry has said it will keep an eye on the traders so they cannot destabilize the market by creating any artificial crisis.  Even detectives from the law enforcement agencies under the Home Ministry have been instructed to keep their eyes open so that unscrupulous syndicates do not create an artificial crisis in Ramadan. Read: Dates, fruits to be more costly during Ramadan due to LC opening crisis In the past, it was noticed that traders increased the prices of goods several times before the start of market supervision ahead of Ramadan. Just before Ramadan, the demand for items like edible oil, sugar, pulses, chickpeas, spices, and so on increases. Traders take this opportunity and raise the prices of in-demand items. It is no different this time. “Ramadan is a few days away. Like last year, I have bought sugar, pulses, and chickpeas at a much higher price. Every year the same thing happens. There is also an upswing in the vegetable market,” Wahid Fakir, a resident of Bhatara New Market, told UNB. The prices of sugar, oil, ginger, onion, and other essential goods have all increased in the last week. Vegetables, fish, and meat prices are also going up. Although there is also no shortage of edible oil in the market, daily essentials are selling at an increased price rate every week. "This year we are already on alert from before. No one will be spared, if there is an artificial crisis in the market. We, the local administration, including the law enforcement agencies, and consumer rights protection directorate, will continue to monitor the market with mobile courts,” Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told UNB. Read: People forced to return home with bags half full due to higher prices of chicken, meat, fish “As preparation for Ramadan, I have had meetings with businessmen one to two months ago. That's when we asked them to increase imports. In particular, instructions have been given so that the banks open the LCs quickly for the import of food products,” he said. “The government has taken all kinds of necessary initiatives to keep the prices of goods under control during Ramadan. We have warned the traders about the preparations in advance this year. Controlling commodity prices was a challenging affair at this time of global crisis and rise in dollar rate,” he also said. “Despite this, dollars have been provided for import of all food products commonly used in Ramadan. Besides, the ministry has requested the NBR to reduce the duty and VAT to reduce the prices of commodities like sugar and edible oil,” said the minister. “In addition, we are taking several other programmes to control the prices of goods during Ramadan. Apart from the family card allocated for 1 crore families, sugar and chickpeas will be sold in truck-sales in Dhaka and divisional cities. NBR has also extended the time for import of rice by three more months." “Hopefully, the prices of goods will be stable during Ramadan. The government's preparation in this regard is good enough,” added Tipu Munshi. Read More: Have enough stock, no scope of price hike during Ramadan: Tipu Asked about the role of law enforcement agencies in keeping the market stable during Ramadan, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, "The law enforcement agencies have been instructed to prevent the rise in the prices of goods.” “Detectives have already been instructed to keep an eye so that unscrupulous syndicates do not create any artificial crisis around Ramadan and make the market unstable. Several strict steps have been taken, including conducting mobile courts, to control the prices of consumer goods by suppressing syndicates,” he said. “Various strategies are being formulated to prevent artificial crises in the market and to take action against those who stockpile goods. Along with the police, the law enforcement agencies and consumer rights department, including RAB, will be active in the field, the intelligence surveillance will also be increased,” he also said. Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain said, “If there is an abnormal situation in the market, we can enforce the law. Every deputy commissioner has been told about this. They will monitor it very strictly. We will also monitor from here.” Read More: Make marginal profit in Ramadan, Munshi urges businessmen

Another police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) has been sent on compulsory retirement. Public Security Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard signed by its senior secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan on Tuesday. According to the notice, Md Munir Hossain, special superintendent of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been sent on compulsory retirement according to section 45 of Public Service Act, 2018. The order will come into effect immediately in public interest, the notification said. Read more: 2 Additional DIGs sent on compulsory retirement Md Munir Hossain, SP, was given attachment with the Police Headquarters as officer on Special Duty (OSD) from CID on July 19, 2011. Earlier, Md Ali Hossain Fakir, former commanding officer of Armed Police Battalion-3, given early retirement on November 16. Ali Hossain was last attached to Rajshahi Range Police. Three police officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SPs) were given compulsory retirement on October 18. Among the compulsorily retired SPs, Mohammad Shahidullah Chowdhury and Delwar Hossain Mia belong to the 12th batch of BCS police cadre and the other one Mirza Abdullahel Baki, a 15th batch officer of BCS police cadre. Read more: Three SPs sent on compulsory retirement Among them, Muhammad Shahidullah Chowdhury had been working as SP (TR) at Police headquarters, Md. Delwar Hossain Mia and Mirza Abdullahel Baki are working as Special Super (SS) in the CID. Two more police officers of the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and three SPs were sent on compulsory retirement on October 31 and October 18 respectively. Two police officers of the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIGs) were given compulsory retirement on October 31. According to the notifications separately issued on October 31, Md Alamgir Alam, Additional DIG of CID, and Md Mahbub Hakim, Additional DIG of Tourist Police, were given compulsory retirement according to section 45 of Public Service Act, 2018. Meanwhile, the government had also sent Additional DIG of CID Sheikh Omar Farooq and Commanding Officer (Superintendent of Police) of 6th APBN of Mahalchari, Khagrachari Mohammad Abdur Rahim on forced retirement on September 2 in last year 2021.

The Security Services Division of the Home Ministry has formed a four-member committee to probe the escaping of two death row convicts, also members of banned militant group Ansar al-Islam, from the premises of a Dhaka court on Sunday. The ministry issued a notification in this regard on Sunday (November 20). Read more: 2 militants who escaped from Dhaka court will be arrested any time soon: DB Chief The committee, headed by additional secretary (Prison sub-division) of the Security Services Division, has been asked to submit its report within seven working days, said the notification. On Sunday, two members of the banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam, who were sentenced to death in Jagriti Publications publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case, escaped from the premises of Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (Dhaka CMM Court). Read more: Five cops suspended over escape of 2 convicted militants The escapees are Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran. Publisher Dipan, son of Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq of Dhaka University, was hacked to death in his office on the second floor of Aziz Supermarket at Shahbagh in Dhaka on October 31, 2015.

The Election Commission is likely to take its dispute over National Identity (NID) cards with the home ministry to President Md Abdul Hamid. Talking to reporters on Monday, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said the EC will soon send a letter to the president seeking his intervention in resolving the dispute. The government has recently decided to transfer to the home ministry the National Identity Registration wing that had been under the EC since 2006. The EC has objected to the take-over. Meanwhile, a new law is under way to bring the NID job under the Security Services of the home ministry. Earlier, the Cabinet division sent a letter was sent to the EC to hand over the NID services. The Election Commission wrote a counter letter highlighting the benefits of keeping the NID under its control. Since the government is moving towards making a new law the EC has decided to approach the president, said Alamgir. Read: Election Commission won’t favour any political party: Anisur Rahman He said, “There is no new step in this regard. As far as I know the Election Commission Officers Association had submitted an application which we said we will send to the President following the rules.” “We may also send a copy to the security department. That was the decision," he said. He said that the decision was taken 10-12 days ago. The Election Commission Officers Association submitted a memorandum to keep the National Identity Card (NID) registration wing under the EC authority rather than under the home ministry.  If it is shifted from the Election Commission (EC), the EC officials feel that the normal process of the election will be hampered. On October 23, the association submitted the memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the election building. Read: NID registration under Home Ministry: Cabinet approves draft act In response to another question, the Election Commissioner said, “NID is the government property. The law gave us responsibility. Now if the law wants to take it then there is nothing to stop us. However, if the government wants to take it, separate manpower and technical infrastructure will have to be created”. "It is definitely a cost issue for the government, there is a challenge as it is a time-consuming issue. We think that even if the government wants to take it, it will take time. It cannot take it so quickly. Because it will take a long time to move from one system to another system. Like the time it takes to pass a law in parliament. It will take a long time to actually transfer," he hinted.