The Domestic Workers Rights Network has called for a thorough investigation and legal intervention into "the murder of an indigenous teenage domestic worker" at the residence of The Daily Star's Executive Editor, Syed Ashfaqul Haque. In a press release, the organization expressed  concern over the death of 15-year-old Preeti Urang and urged the government and administration to unveil the true circumstances of the incident. They emphasize the need for appropriate action to prosecute those responsible to prevent such occurrences in future. Read more: DSCC Mayor serves legal notice on The Daily Star seeking Tk 100 crore over satire article "In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in torture, killings, and violations of human rights against domestic workers. These workers are entitled to just treatment and respect as human beings. The absence of enforcement for the 'Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy, 2015' and their exclusion from labor laws contribute to a pattern of abuse, with perpetrators emboldened by a lack of consequences. Imposing exemplary punishment for such incidents could deter future acts of violence against domestic workers," it said. Earlier on Feb 6, police recovered the body of a teenage domestic help from in front of a multi-storey building at Shahjahan Road in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur.A case was filed following a complaint lodged by Preeti’s father Lokesh Urang the next day. Ashfaqul Haque and his wife Tania Khondoker were denied bail and sent to jail, where investigators interrogated them on February 8-9 at the jailgate.   Read more: 15-year-old domestic help's body recovered from in front of building where she worked; 2 in custody

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has sent a legal notice to The Daily Star, seeking Tk 100 crore, for publishing a “defamatory” article about cutting down trees in the Dhanmondi area of the capital. The mayor’s lawyer Barrister Mejbahur Rahman briefed reporters on Wednesday (June 7, 2023). The legal notice was sent to The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Executive Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque, and writer Naziba Basher on June 5. Also read: DSCC mayor Taposh sued for remark on ex-chief justice   They have been asked to remove the relevant content online within 24 hours of receiving the notice and take necessary action within seven days. Lawyer Mejbahur Rahman said that a “column” titled “Cutting trees to make way for air” was published in The Daily Star newspaper on May 13. “In the column, the name of Dhaka South City Corporation was distorted to make Dhoka South Town Corporation,” he said while speaking to reporters at the Supreme Court premises. Also read: June 14 set for hearing on contempt of court case against DSCC Mayor Taposh Besides, the name of Mayor Taposh has also been distorted, he said. Lawyer Mejbahur Rahman said the DSCC Mayor has directed him to take legal action after seeing the report.  “In the notice, we asked for two things – one is to remove the text in the online version and they must apologise unconditionally and will have to pay Tk 100 crore as compensation,” he said. “Seven days have been given to them. If they do not take any action by this time, the next decision will be taken at the behest of Mayor Taposh.” Also read: Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman gets bail in DSA case In the legal notice, The Daily Star was asked to pay the money within seven days of the date of receipt of the legal notice served “for creating and publishing defamatory imputation in your national daily, in online publication and on social media and network with criminal intention to insult, humiliate and persecute our client, thus intentionally harming hard earned reputation of my client, his family and his institution.” In a statement, published on The Daily Star’s website, the editor and publisher wrote: “We want to state that we have indeed received the said legal notice dated June 5, 2023, from the Lex Counsel late in the afternoon of June 6, 2023, and it allows us only 2 days to respond. We will publish our response within that time.” Also read: Prothom Alo reporter Shams gets bail in another DSA case “We, however, want to point out that our piece was termed a ‘report’ or a ‘column’ at the press briefing. This is factually incorrect. It was a satirical piece, which is a globally accepted and common practice in journalism, on an issue of urgent public concern, and that too was published in our designated weekly satirical page titled ‘Satireday,’' the statement added.

Six individuals were recognised Saturday for their exceptional humanitarian and courageous activities in the fifth season of Unsung Women Nation Builders Award 2021. The virtual ceremony was jointly organised by IPDC Finance and The Daily Star and the winners received Tk2 Lakh each. The six winners who received the award were Sabina Yeasmin, who ensured right breast and cervical cancer treatment for 310 women; Rozina Akhter, who supervised the burial of over 60 Covid infected people; Jahanara Islam, a successful self-made entrepreneur in Cox's Bazar; Fauzia Beethi, a teacher who played a significant role in helping the residents of Bogura during Covid-19; Farmis Akhter, an entrepreneur who helped feed 700 families in need in Sylhet and Shapla Devi Tripura, the founder of "Sampari" in Khagrachhari Hill. "Women have helped us gain independence and made valuable contributions to our community and the overall economy. The Unsung Women Nation Builders Award started its journey to recognise the contributions of women and enlighten everyone about the stories of these brave individuals. Like previous occasions, this year we have brought forward the heroic stories of six women to honour them," said Mominul Islam, managing director and CEO of IPDC Finance. Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said: "We have already brought to light the efforts of 30 women who are symbols of inspiration and courage. We have returned this time with the same effort of telling the world the stories of the incredible journeys of six great women."