United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested two members of an inter-district “Molom Party” in connection with robbing a secondary schoolteacher of her gold ornaments after making her unconscious on a bus. A joint team of the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell and Kotchandpur police arrested the two during separate drives in Tongi of Gazipur and Magura Sadar with the help of information technology, said a press release issued on Tuesday morning. The arrestees are Dulal Howladar, 40, son of Abul Kalam Howladar of Alka Damodar village in Fultala upazila of Khulna, also known as “Molom Dulal”, and Md Tilak Khan, 44, son of Hashem Khan of Bogia village in Magura Sadar upazila. According to police, a secondary schoolteacher was returning to Kotchandpur from Jashore on a Shapla Paribahan bus on June 29. Before reaching Elangi Bazar, a gang member allegedly gave the teacher sedative-laced coconut water, leaving her unconscious. The gang then stole her gold chain, ring and bangles and fled. The following day, June 30, the victim’s husband filed a case with Kotchandpur Police Station. Following the incident, Jhenaidah Superintendent of Police Mia Mohammad Ashish Bin Hasan directed the district Cyber Crime Investigation Cell and Kotchandpur police to identify and arrest those involved. Investigators used digital footprints and modern technology to track the suspects before conducting separate raids in Tongi and Magura Sadar. ASI Ikhlachur Rahman Mithu of the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell said the suspects’ locations were confirmed through detailed technological analysis. Jhenaidah SP Mia Mohammad Ashish Bin Hasan said the district police were working under a zero-tolerance policy to ensure safe travel for the public and dismantle organised criminal networks.

Four members of a family, including a former schoolteacher, were killed at their home in Rangpur city after they allegedly objected to two young men taking Yaba on the rooftop of their house, police said on Sunday. The victims were identified as Ganapati Chakraborty alias Jewel, 65, a former teacher of Rangpur Zilla School, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50, their daughter Parthi Chakraborty Agami, 25, and their son Priyam Chakraborty Ayush, 12, a Class-V student of Rangpur Zilla School. Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud disclosed the details of the gruesome murders at a press conference at his office in the morning. He made the disclosure following the early morning arrest of two suspects in connection with the murders. The arrestees were identified as Mugdha Das, 23, and Siddhartha Das, 19, who are maternal cousins. According to police, the bodies were recovered from different parts of the house in the Machuapara Mandir area of the city around 11:30pm on Saturday. One body was found on the rooftop, two on the terrace and another inside a room. Mabud said Mugdha and Siddhartha climbed onto the rooftop of Ganapati’s house through an adjacent building on Thursday night to take Yaba. Hearing noises on the rooftop, Ganapati went upstairs and found the two youths taking the drug. When he objected, the two allegedly strangled him with a gamcha, he said. Hearing Ganapati’s screams, his wife Pritilata tried to go upstairs but was allegedly killed on the staircase, said the police commissioner. The suspects then allegedly killed their daughter Parthi and finally 12-year-old Priyam. According to Mabud, Priyam knew the suspects and was a friend of Siddhartha’s younger brother Apurba. Fearing that the child could reveal their identities, the suspects allegedly killed him as well. He said the two suspects remained inside the house after the killings. They allegedly took showers, ate dates and consumed Yaba before leaving during Jummah prayers the following day, when the streets were relatively empty. Before leaving, they allegedly scattered household items to make it appear that a robbery took place and to mislead investigators, the commissioner said. He said they got a breakthrough after finding a gold bangle at the scene bearing signs that it was subjected to a fire test. They subsequently learned about Siddhartha’s experience as a goldsmith. Police detained Siddhartha and Mugdha in the early hours of Sunday when they confessed to their involvement in the incident, Mabud said. Siddhartha has reportedly been working as a goldsmith at PK Pal Jewellers for about eight years, while Mugdha works at a fish shop at the city’s City Bazar. The commissioner said the jewellery allegedly looted from the house was recovered from an abandoned place based on information provided by the two suspects. The two mobile phones belonging to the family were also found immersed in water mixed with detergent. Police said the suspects did so to destroy evidence. Investigators also recovered evidence of Yaba consumption, date seeds and a partly eaten cucumber from the scene. The date seeds have been sent for DNA testing, the police commissioner said. He said Mugdha and Siddhartha consumed Yaba at a house in the city before going to Machuapara, where they allegedly took the drug again. Investigators have also found the name of a person identified as Khushi alias Prashanta as a suspected Yaba supplier and are verifying the information, the police commissioner said. A murder case was filed at Kotwali Police Station in connection with the killings. Police said they were working to complete the investigation and submit the charge sheet to the court as soon as possible.  

Police in a drive arrested four people including alleged top criminal of Chattogram Mobarak Hossain Emon alias David Emon from Jhumjhumpur area in Jashore district town early Wednesday during their reported bid to flee to India. The other arrestees are Al Islam Alif alias Tamal, 25 of Shyampur area in the capital, Md Shamim, 28, of Cumilla district and Shafayet Hossain, 28 of Noakhali district. Nine teams of DB police and Kotwali Police conducted a drive in the area around 4 am and arrested them, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Mirajul Islam. Police said David Emon was the mastermind behind a recent extortion attempt targeting the owner of an Internet Service Provider(ISP) in Chattogram. After the victim refused to pay the demanded amount, the establishment was attacked, vandalised, and looted, prompting police to intensify drive to arrest him. During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees told investigators that they had planned to cross into India through Jhikargacha border, he said. All were handed over to Chattogram District Police around 10 am on Wednesday and were later taken to Chattogram under tight security, he added. Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam, said the operation was conducted based on intelligence information. Police also seized a private car from their possession, he said. Law enforcement agencies describe David Emon, son of Md Musa of Kanchannagar area of Fatikchhari upazila in Chattogram, as one of the most-discussed figures in Chattogram's underworld in recent years. Police said he had a key role in the criminal group led by ‘top criminal’ Sajjad Ali Khan, also known as "Boro Sajjad," and established dominance in Bayezid Bostami, Panchlaish, Chandgaon, Patenga, Hathazari and Raozan areas of Chattogram. Police said David Emon was wanted in multiple cases including that of murder, attempted murder, extortion, illegal possession of firearms and criminal activities.

A man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife when she was asleep at a relative’s house at Bahirgram area under Kolora union of Narail Sadar upazila. The deceased identified as Chandni Akhter Khadija, 20, daughter of Kalam Sheikh from Alka village in Phultala upazila of Khulna, was killed on Tuesday midnight, said Narail Sadar Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Ajoy Kumar Kundu. Police said Chandni had travelled to her aunt-in-law’s house in Narail on Monday along with her husband Sakib Sheikh, a resident of Damodar village in the same upazila, who is reportedly addicted to drugs and unemployed, had frequent domestic disputes with his wife. He allegedly attacked Chandni while she was asleep and hacked her with the a sharp weapons (Boti), leaving her critically injured. Family members later rescued and took her to Narail District Hospital where doctors declared her dead. The Inspector said legal procedures in the case are underway.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested a total of 152 alleged extortionists during a special drive conducted across the capital over the 48 hours. The information was disclosed by DMP acting Commissioner Md Sarwar at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday noon. He said ensuring security, comfort and a peaceful life for city residents remains a key commitment of the police. “As part of that effort, a coordinated special drive has been intensified since May 1 targeting extortionists, drug traffickers, armed criminals and online gambling networks across the city.” According to the acting DMP chief, the operation is part of a broader security strategy aimed at improving law and order and curbing crime nationwide in line with the government’s commitments. He said law enforcement agencies are conducting targeted operations in crime-prone areas, including sudden block raids, setting up checkpoints, and increasing intelligence surveillance alongside CCTV monitoring to restrict escape routes of offenders. Sarwar said suspected persons are being punished through mobile courts after scrutinising their offences, while major offenders are being processed through regular case procedures and sent to court. He added that joint efforts involving local thana, Detective Branch, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, plainclothes officers and cyber monitoring teams are being carried out using modern technology to track criminal activities, particularly online fraud and gambling. During the 48-hour drive, police arrested 58 listed extortionists and 94 associated members based on specific intelligence. Highlighting other successes, the acting DMP chief said 80 kilograms of cannabis were recovered in a drive on Saturday, alongside arrests of active drug traffickers. In recent weeks, law enforcement has shifted focus from small drug users and petty dealers to larger consignments, recovering over 100,000 Yaba tablets, around half a kilogram of heroin, and more than 200 kilograms of cannabis in separate operations, he said. Sarwar also said investigations are underway to identify and prosecute the “godfathers” behind drug networks, with steps being taken to file cases, including money laundering, in coordination with relevant units such as Criminal Investigation Department. He reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy on illegal arms holders, saying operations against online gambling operators and digital fraud rings are ongoing. To strengthen area-based security, police have already set up two camps in Bosila and Karwan Bazar, with plans to establish more in other important locations soon, the acting DMP chief added.

Police have arrested four people in connection with the murder of Asadul Haque, also known as “Lambu Asadul,” in the capital’s Mohammadpur area, saying the killing was driven by prior clashes and financial disputes. The arrests were made by Dhaka Metropolitan Police from Keraniganj, officials said at a media briefing on Saturday. The arrestees were identified as Munna, 24, Akhtar Hossain, 45, Miraj Fakir, 22, and Nayan alias Khokon, 24. Four arrested over murder of 'Lambu Asadul' in Mohammadpur; revenge cited as motive Police also recovered a Swiss gear knife used in the murder and a motorcycle based on information provided by the suspects. The DC (Tejgaon Division) , Md. Ibn Mizan, said investigators initially identified the suspects using technology and conducted drives in Mohammadpur and surrounding areas before tracking them down in Keraniganj. He said the murder occured due to an earlier altercation between victim Asadul and arrested Akhtar, which led to a case filed by Akhtar. Asadul was later arrested and jailed in that case before securing bail recently. In addition, there had been a financial dispute between the duo. According to police, Akhtar, seeking revenge, allegedly lured Asadul out at midnight with the help of acquaintances and attacked him with sharp weapons and bricks, leading to his death. Authorities said more suspects have been identified and a drive is ongoing to apprehend them. A murder case has been filed with Mohammadpur Police Station by the victim’s cousin, and the arrested individuals are being prepared for court appearance with a remand prayer to be sought. Police said Asadul had six cases against him, including four narcotics-related cases, one under other sections, and one under the speedy trial act.  Among the accused, Munna has seven cases involving drugs and robbery, Miraj has one case, and Nayan has two. No prior case has been found against Akhtar so far. Responding to questions about crime control in Mohammadpur, the DC said the police station is one of the largest under Tejgaon Division and regular drives are conducted in areas such as Rayerbazar, Bosila, Dhaka Udyan and Chand Udyan. He added that in this case, suspects came from outside the area, committed the crime, and fled, which is why they were arrested from outside Dhaka. police plans to strengthen checkpoints and intensify areas to prevent such incidents. On political affiliation, he said Akhtar’s possible political affiliation has been identified and is being verified. The murder took place around 12:50am on Thursday night (Friday morning) in the Rayerbazar embankment area near Sadeq Khan’s brickfield road. Asadul, a resident of Metro Housing in Mohammadpur, hailed from Gournadi in Barishal. Meanwhile, Rapid Action Battalion-2 has also arrested two persons—Asadul Islam and Md. Shawon—from the Metro Housing area in connection with the incident.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-3 have arrested one of the accused in sensational murder Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fazlul Karim Khan murder case from Demra area of the capital. The arrestee was identified as Md Shafiqul Islam Badsha, also known as Guja Badsha, 55. According to RAB-3, he was arrested during a special drive conducted on April 13 at around 9:10 am at a flat in New Town Residential Area under Demra Police Station. Sanad Barua, Senior Assistant Director (Media) of RAB-3 Headquarters, disclosed the information at a media briefing on Wednesday. During  interrogation and investigation, it was revealed that on August 29, 2013, a group of assailants entered the third floor of ASP Fazlul Karim’s residence on WAPDA Road in West Rampura and killed him before fleeing the scene. Although a case was filed against 25 accused, including the arrestee law enforcers had failed to capture Guja Badsha for years. RAB officials said the accused was a notorious terrorist in Rampura and Hatirjheel areas and had long been involved in drug and arms trading, extortion, and other criminal activities. Following intelligence inputs, RAB-3 initiated shadow investigation and finally succeeded in arresting him. The RAB official said  the accused has a total of 14 cases filed against him with Rampura and Hatirjheel thana including cases related to murder, extortion, under the Special Powers Act, and the explosives Substance Act. Several arrest warrants are also pending against him.

Iranian security forces have detained two individuals in northwestern Iran who are accused of transmitting information about sensitive sites to US and Israeli intelligence agencies, Tasnim news agency reported. According to the report, the suspects allegedly received cryptocurrency in return for providing details of secure locations. The arrests took place in the Osku area of East Azerbaijan province, and the two have been handed over to judicial authorities for further action.

Police in Nepal have arrested former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged roles in the deaths of dozens of people during violent protests in September that led to the topple of the government and fresh elections. Oli was detained early Saturday from his residence on the outskirts of Kathmandu, while Lekhak was also taken into custody for allegedly ordering security forces to fire on demonstrators. Home Minister Sudan Gurung announced the arrests, stating that the move was aimed at ensuring justice and that no one is above the law. A government investigation commission recommended prison terms of up to 10 years for Oli, Lekhak, and the police chief at the time of the unrest. Police in riot gear carried out the arrests and transported the two leaders to the Kathmandu District Police Office. The arrests come a day after a new government led by Balendra Shah took office following a landslide election victory by his Rastriya Swatantra Party. Shah and Gurung have pledged accountability for those killed and injured during the protests. The election was the first since large-scale youth-led demonstrations on September 8 and 9 that left 76 people dead and over 2,300 injured. The unrest, driven by anger over corruption and poor governance, saw mobs attack government buildings and the homes of senior politicians, forcing many to flee. The protests eventually led to the appointment of Nepal’s first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, who oversaw the transition period ahead of the elections.  

Police in a drive arrested three people in connection with their alleged involvement in violating a speech-impaired woman in Tajumuddin upazila of Bhola district on Tuesday. The arrestees were identified as Md Rakib, driver of the auto-rickshaw and his two associates—Md Jewel and Al Amin. Md Ibrahim, superintendent of Bhola (sadar circle) police said a joint forces team including DB police conducted a drive in the upazila on Monday and arrested them. Speech-impaired housewife gang-raped in Bhola Earlier on Sunday, a speech-impaired housewife was allegedly gang raped by three young men on her way to home from a programme of devotional song (kirtan) in Tajumuddin upazila of Bhola district.