United News of Bangladesh

Police on Tuesday said the murder of seven-year-old Jannatul Naima Ira, found with her throat slit in Sitakunda’s hilly area of Chittagong, was the result of a family dispute. After arresting the main suspect, Babu Sheikh, Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan held a press briefing at Sitakunda Police Station, revealing details of the crime. According to the SP, Babu Sheikh lured the child to Sitakunda Ecopark with the promise of chocolate and killed her by slitting her throat, apparently over a prior dispute with her father. Minor girl with throat slit rescued from Sitakunda park dies; one held Police said construction workers at the park discovered the injured child, believing she had been abandoned, and informed authorities. She was first taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Chittagong Medical Hospital for advanced treatment, where she died early Tuesday morning. Using CCTV footage and technical evidence, police arrested Babu Sheikh from the Kumira Kajipara area of Sitakunda. SP Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan said the murder was premeditated, carried out due to a family feud. Blood-stained evidence was recovered from the scene. The suspect has been sent to court, and the investigation is ongoing.

Leaders and activists of Jubo Dal allegedly attacked the president of Shyamnagar Press Club, Samiul Monir, inside the press club premises in Satkhira on Monday over a report published against them. The incident occurred in the afternoon at the Press Club building adjacent to the Shyamnagar Upazila Parishad. Samiul Monir is the Shyamnagar upazila correspondent of Daily Samakal and Dainik Patradut. According to eyewitnesses and journalists present at the scene, 25–30 leaders and activists, including Shyamnagar upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Anwarur Islam Angur, along with Bablu, Mizan and Matleb, entered the press club and assaulted Monir. They allegedly dragged him out of the building and beat him with bricks, hammers and iron rods, leaving him seriously injured. On information, police rushed to the spot, rescued him and admitted him to Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex. Shakir Hossain, the doctor on duty at the emergency department of the health complex, said Monir sustained serious injuries to the left side of his head from a hard object. He also bore marks of hammer and iron rod injuries on different parts of his body. He is currently undergoing treatment, the doctor added. Khaledur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shyamnagar Police Station, said police responded immediately after receiving the information. Two people have been detained in connection with the incident and drives are underway to arrest the others involved. Earlier, on February 23, a report on alleged looting of sand from the Kholpetua-Kapotaksha river was published in Daily Samakal. Since the publication of the report, Monir had reportedly been receiving threats. The attack has triggered strong reactions among local journalists in Shyamnagar, who described it as a direct assault on press freedom. They demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.  When contacted, accused Anwarur Islam Angur did not deny the incident and said, “Monir is a psycho. Discussions are underway with the OC. I will speak later.”  

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Monday issued a stern directive to field-level police officials to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against extortion. He also instructed officers to take strict measures to curb mugging, extortion and drug-related crimes. The IGP gave the directives while addressing a law and order meeting with superintendents of police (SP) all districts through an online platform from the Police Headquarters on Monday. The chief of Bangladesh police force ordered law enforcers to stop extortion, mugging and robbery on highways, directing both the Highway Police and district police to intensify their operations on major roads. Ahead of the upcoming Eid, the police chief also instructed officials to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for homebound people. He stressed the need to take effective steps to prevent traffic congestion and ensure that passengers can reach their destinations and return safely. The IGP directed police personnel to behave courteously with people seeking services at police stations so that they can leave with satisfaction. He said efforts must be made to enhance the image of Bangladesh Police by earning public trust through good conduct. He also warned that innocent people must not be harassed under any circumstances. Calling for united efforts, the IGP urged district SP's to work collectively to build a safer Bangladesh. Additional IGPs and other senior officials of the Police Headquarters were present at the meeting.

Police have arrested six people in separate raids in the capital’s Khilkhet area on charges of robbery and operating a honeytrap scheme. The arrested are Shahapran, 30, Afzal Hossain, 40, Hanif, 40, Sagar Howlader, 28, Nasif Ankan, 28, and Farhad Sohan, 33. According to Khilkhet Police, Shahapran, Afzal and Hanif were arrested in connection with a robbery that took place on a paved road adjacent to Lakepar under Khilkhet Police Station at around 3:40 am on Friday (February 27). A mini-truck and nine motorcycles allegedly stolen during the robbery were recovered from their possession. A private car used in the robbery was also seized. In a separate incident, police said the victim, Md Jasim Uddin, 38, a resident of Bashundhara Residential Area, befriended a woman named Hafiza through Facebook. The woman regularly communicated with him over the phone and developed a relationship. On February 21 at around 8:30 pm, Hafiza asked Jasim to meet her at the north gate of Khilkhet Rajuk Market. When he arrived there, Sagar, Ankan and Farhad allegedly surrounded him. Hafiza told him she was at a restaurant on the fourth floor of Rajuk Market and attempted to take him there. When Jasim became suspicious and refused to go, the trio allegedly forcibly detained him, assaulted him and took him to the restaurant. They allegedly confined him there and snatched his mobile phone, driving licence and Tk 1,500 in cash, demanding more money. When their demand was not met, they returned the mobile phone and driving licence but provided a mobile number and later demanded Tk 20,000 for returning the phone, police said. A case was filed with Khilkhet Police Station following the victim’s complaint. After analysing CCTV footage and other information, police arrested Sagar Howlader and Nasif Ankan in front of Rajuk Market at around 6:30 pm on February 28. Later that night, at around 10:30 pm, Farhad Sohan was arrested during a raid in the Nikunja-2 area based on information obtained from the detainees. The victim’s driving licence was recovered from their possession. During initial interrogation, police said the arrestees, along with absconding suspect Hafiza, were members of an organised fraud and robbery gang. They allegedly targeted young men by opening fake social media accounts using women’s identities. Legal action against the arrested is under process.

A four-year-old girl, Tabassum, was allegedly raped and suffocated to death in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, authorities said Friday. The prime suspect, Abu Taher, has confessed to the crime after being arrested. Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Jhenaidah Sadar Circle, said Abu Taher was apprehended around midnight on Thursday from his brother’s rented flat in Kushtia city. The suspect, a resident of Farashpur village in Kaliganj and son of the late Shafi Uddin, admitted to committing both the rape and murder of Tabassum. Following the incident, local residents held protests and human chains demanding justice and the death penalty for Abu Taher. Hundreds took part in the demonstration after Jumma prayers at Barobazar on Friday afternoon. OC of Kaliganj Police Station, Jellal Hossain, said the suspect, Abu Taher, worked as a sales representative for a cigarette company and was reportedly addicted to drugs. He rented a house near Tabassum’s family home in Badedihi village. On the day of the incident, he tempted the child indoors with chips and juice. The OC added that Abu Taher subjected Tabassum to brutal physical assault. When she cried, he allegedly covered her mouth with a lungi, causing her to suffocate. Later, he placed her body in a sack and hid it in the septic tank of Abdul Jabbar Secondary School nearby. Tabassum’s body was recovered Thursday morning from the school’s septic tank. She had been reported missing around 2:00 pm on Wednesday. The victim’s family lived in a rented house in Badedihi, Barobazar area. Her father, Nazrul Islam, works at a local tailor shop, while her mother, Halima Khatun, is employed with a private development organization, Web Foundation.

Police have arrested five people in connection with the rape and subsequent killing of a teenage girl in Narsingdi, allegedly carried out to conceal the crime.  A case has been filed against nine accused, while the prime suspect remains at large. Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rezaul Karim Mallick on Friday visited the spot. Following the visit, the DIG briefed reporters at Madhabdi Police Station. He said the victim’s mother, Fahima Begum, filed the case naming nine people.  So far, five people -- former local member Ahmad Ali Dewan, his son Md Imran Dewan, Mohammad Aiyub, cousin of prime accused, along with Ebadullah and Gaffar of the Hossain Bazar area -- have been arrested. The DIG said two of the arrestees were directly involved in the rape, while three acted as mediators in an attempt to suppress the incident. Drives are underway to arrest the remaining accused, including the main suspect Nur Mohammad Nura. “No offender will be spared,” he said, expressing hope that all fugitives would be arrested soon. BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon also visited the spot and termed the incident “highly condemnable,” calling for exemplary punishment to prevent such crimes. He said instructions had been given so that no legal assistance is provided to those involved, stressing zero tolerance against criminals regardless of political identity. Meanwhile, the autopsy of the victim, Amena, was conducted at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital by a four-member medical board led by Resident Medical Officer Dr Farida Gulshanara Kabir. Body of Kaptai road crash victim received by inconsolable family in Narshingdi The body remains at the hospital morgue. The victim’s mother said it is still undecided where the body will be buried. She, along with the victim’s stepfather Ashraf Mia and brother Sifat, are currently at Madhabdi Police Station for legal formalities.

A Dhaka court on Thursday ordered the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice for the arrest of Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, sister of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with a corruption case. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez issued the order following an application from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC Assistant Director AKM Mortuza Ali Sagar had applied for a notice to arrest the fugitive accused. After hearing the case, the court approved the request. According to the ACC, Siddiq allegedly obtained illegal benefits from Eastern Housing Limited, including unearned gratuities, such as acquiring a flat without payment, through abuse of power. The petition alleges that she influenced RAJUK’s legal officers to approve the flat sale despite serious irregularities, taking advantage of her family ties. Tulip Siddiq reportedly left the country before the case was filed, prompting the ACC to request an Interpol Red Notice to secure her arrest.

The High Court on Thursday granted ad-interim bail for six months to former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Selina Hayat Ivy in five cases filed with Fatullah and Narayanganj Sadar Model police stations. The HC bench of Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher passed the order. Four cases were filed against Ivy for the killings of Abul Hossain Miji, Abdur Rahman, Md Yeasin and Pervez filed with Fatullah Police Station while another case was filed with Sadar Model Police Station for obstructing police from discharging duties in 2024. Advocate Sara Hossain and Motahar Hossain Saju stood for Ivy while deputy attorney general Mohammad Ashiquzzaman represented the state. However, Ivy will remain behind the bars as five more cases were pending with the Appellate Division. Police arrested Ivy from her Deubhog residence in Narayanganj on May 9, 2025 in connection with the murder of Minarul Islam. Later, she was sent to jail and shown arrested in different cases. Among the cases, three were filed for killing people while two for attempts to murder during the July movement. Former NCC Mayor Ivy shown arrest in 5 more cases On November 9, the High Court granted bail to Ivy in the five cases. The Appellate Division on November 12 stayed the High Court order that granted her bail.  

The Appellate on Thursday acquitted Kahn Akram who was sentenced to life term imprisonment in a case over crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in Bagerhat district. The Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order after hearing. On August 11, 2015, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master to death and Khan Akram to life imprisonment in a case filed over crimes against humanity during the Liberation War. According to the verdict, of the six charges brought against Sirajul Haque five were proved and of the three charges brought against Akram, one was proved. Khan Akram filed an appeal against the  judgment. Another accused in the case Abdul Latif Talukdar died during the trial proceedings. Later, the both accused filed appeal petitions before the Appellate Division and during the trial proceedings Sirajul died.

A former student of Jahangirnagar University has been accused of physically torturing and raping a current female student of the university. The accused, Tariqul Islam, 32, a resident of Sarishabari upazila in Jamalpur, is a former student of the 2014-15 academic year (44th batch) of the university’s Institute of Information Technology (IIT). The victim is a student of the 2023-24 academic year (53rd batch) and resides in a female student hall. Rubel Hawlader, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station, said police received a 999 call from the Islamnagar area of the university on Tuesday night. “On receiving the information, police immediately reached the spot, rescued the victim, and sent her first to JU Medical and later to Savar Health Complex. Signs of torture and rape were found during initial investigation,” he said. The victim was later referred to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital for full treatment and medical examination. The police are continuing efforts to arrest the accused. During her stay at the university medical center, she described her ordeal to a female teacher of her department. Quoting the victim, the teacher said she had a previous relationship with the accused, which later ended. On Tuesday, Tariqul Islam reportedly went in front of her hall, pressuring her to leave and “talk for the last time.” When she refused, he allegedly blackmailed her. At one point, she went to his home. Later, Tariqul Islam tied her face with tape, beat her, and poured hot water on her hands. He also reportedly locked the door while she went to buy medicine for her burn wounds. Taking advantage of this, the victim called the emergency number 999, and police rescued her.