United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested four individuals in connection with the murder of a young man in the capital’s Jatrabari area. The arrestees are Arman Haque Bipu alias Jubo, 21; Md. Ismail Hossain Fahim alias Shafin, 21; Kamrul Islam Rana, 30; and Ali Hossain, 50. According to Jatrabari Police Station, Sadman Saif Raivi, 23, was a second-year honors student at Siddheshwari University College and also worked part-time at a pharmaceutical company in the Tejgaon area. On Monday, March 23, at approximately 9:00 pm, he left home saying he was going to a friend’s house but did not return. Later, the family attempted to contact him via mobile phone, but it was switched off. On Thursday, March 26, the victim’s father filed a general diary at the Gendaria Police Station. On the same day, relatives learned through social media that a half-decayed body of an unidentified youth had been recovered from the North Kutubkhali area under Jatrabari police jurisdiction. When they visited the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue and saw the word “RAIVI” written on the jersey worn by the body, the family identified it as that of Sadman Saif Raivi. Jatrabari Police sources informed that the body was recovered from a canal in the North Kutubkhali area around 7:50 am on March 26. Initially, the Jatrabari police station filed a case of unnatural death. Later, based on the plaintiff’s complaint, a murder case was registered. CCTV footage obtained during the investigation shows accused Arman Haque Bipu and Ismail Hossain Fahim, around 5:30 am on March 24, carrying the victim Raivi by the shoulders, while Md. Zubair and Kamrul Islam Rana walked behind them. Additionally, the accused and the victim Raivi, were present at a gathering on the roof of Kamrul Islam Rana’s house on the night of March 23. It is believed that the accused, acting in collusion, killed Raivi and disposed of the body in the canal, sometime between the morning of March 24 and the morning of March 26. Jatrabari Police sources also said that the main suspect, Md. Zubair, has left the country for Australia, and there has been an attempt to delete important CCTV footage from the scene. On March 28, at approximately 11:30 am, a raid was conducted by Jatrabari police, resulting in the arrest of the accused named in the complaint. Legal action is currently underway against those arrested.

Additional Inspector General of Police Ahsan Habib Palash on Saturday took charge as the 12th Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab). Ahsan Habib joined the Bangladesh Civil Service as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1995 through the 15th BCS batch. Over his career, he has served in several key units of Bangladesh Police, including the 4th Armed Police Battalion, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Chattogram Metropolitan Police and Sylhet Metropolitan Police. He also held field-level postings in Rangamati, Shariatpur and Narayanganj. At the Police Bureau of Investigation headquarters, Palash worked extensively in administrative and investigation-related roles. He was later promoted to Deputy Inspector General and served in Chattogram Range. He has also participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Liberia, Sudan and South Sudan. In recognition of his service, he received the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM-Service). Ahsan Habib earned his BSS (Honours) and MSc degrees from the University of Dhaka and completed professional training programmes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at fuel depots across the country to prevent hoarding, maintain discipline in fuel distribution. The deployment was made following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs as reports emerged of attempts to illegally stockpile fuel due to supply concerns and price hikes in the international market, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of BGB headquarters. The deployment, supervised by the BGB headquarters, is being carried out under a coordinated and structured plan to ensure depot security, he said. BGB personnel are operating from temporary base camps set up at secure locations, especially in areas far from their unit headquarters. Govt forms vigilance teams in all districts to monitor fuel supply Since the morning of March 25, BGB members have been deployed at 19 depots in nine districts—one in Dhaka, two in Kurigram, three each in Rangpur and Rajshahi, two in Sylhet, three each in Moulvibazar and Cumilla, and one each in Brahmanbaria and Sunamganj. The deployed personne are carrying out regular monitoring and ensuring strict implementation of administrative and security measures. They are also strengthening intelligence surveillance, preventing illegal fuel hoarding and sales and taking prompt action to avert any sabotage. Besides, border patrols have been intensified to prevent fuel smuggling. Measures include increased river patrols, installation of checkpoints and regular inspections of trucks and other vehicles used in import and export activities at border points.

Police Inspector General Ali Hossain Fakir on Friday said that all cases of deaths, including those involving police personnel before and after August 5, will be prosecuted according to the law, describing it as an ongoing process. Speaking at a press briefing at the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) headquarters, he said, “Many, including police officers, were killed during the August 5 incidents. Every case will be investigated, and the law will take its course.” Highlighting the role of law enforcement in maintaining order, the IGP said the police have already contributed to delivering one of the best elections in the country’s history. He urged citizens, especially young people, to follow the law and avoid obstructing roads unnecessarily, warning that such actions ultimately harm the nation. Addressing socio-economic issues, he noted the high number of educated unemployed youth and pressures on the banking sector due to money laundering. These factors, he said, have led some young people to engage in crimes like drug abuse and snatching. Reaffirming the police’s “zero-tolerance” policy against drugs, he emphasized that strict measures will continue. Regarding fuel shortages and black-market trading, he said that hoarding small quantities for resale at higher prices yields limited profit, stressing the importance of ethical practices. He also mentioned that the government has received a proposal to transform all divisional cities, including Dhaka, into “Smart and Safe Cities,” with processes ongoing. When asked about the arrest of Awami League leaders in other cases despite bail, the IGP declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations. Earlier, the IGP held a discussion with divisional officials at the RMP headquarters before briefing the media. Officers from the Police Headquarters, Rajshahi Range, and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police were present.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-4) has arrested two shooters involved in the Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal member secretary Golam Kibria killing in the capital’s Pallabi area. The arrested were identified as Md Rashed alias Lopen, 35, and Md Jahangir Hossain alias Kallu, 40, both accused of directly participating in the killing mission. RAB said the suspects had been on the run since the incident and initially attempted to flee to a neighbouring country through illegal routes. However, due to tightened border security following the murder, they failed and later returned to Dhaka, where they were trying to arrange passports and visas to leave the country legally. The development was disclosed at a press briefing held at the RAB-4 Battalion headquarters in Mirpur on Friday by Company Commander Additional Superintendent of Police Md Shahabuddin Kabir. Acting on a tip-off, a RAB-4 team conducted separate drives late Thursday night, arresting Rashed from Rupnagar Eastern Housing area in Mirpur and Jahangir from Diabari area of Uttara Sector 18. Based on information provided by Rashed, RAB recovered a foreign-made revolver used in the killing loaded with three rounds of bullet from his residence. According to Shahabuddin Kabir, the two accused confessed to their direct involvement in the murder. He said the revolver was supposed to contain six rounds, but only three were recovered. During interrogation, Rashed admitted that he fired two rounds at the victim and discharged one blank shot to disperse nearby people. RAB officials said three shooters directly took part in the attack. One of them, identified as Jony, had already been arrested earlier, while the other two were apprehended in the latest Thursday midnight drive. Investigators also found that a support network was involved in the operation. A person named Masum was responsible for extracting the attackers safely after the incident, while Pata Sohel supplied the weapons and ensured overall security. Another accused, Sujon, was assigned to monitor the victim’s movements. In total, six to seven individuals were involved in the killing mission, according to RAB. Preliminary investigation suggests that the murder was carried out over political dominance. RAB said the accused had links with a top local criminal, Mashiur Rahman Mashi, in the Mirpur area. Golam Kibria, described as a popular local Juba Dal leader, was seen as a potential candidate for a higher position in Pallabi Thana BNP. Investigators believe he had become an obstacle to criminal activities such as extortion, control over housing and developer businesses, and illegal collections, which led to a planned killing. Earlier, on November 17 last year, unidentified assailants shot Golam Kibria in the chest and back at a hardware shop in Mirpur-12 B-Block under Pallabi police station. The attackers also fired at locals while fleeing, leaving a rickshaw puller critically injured. Gatekeepers’ negligence behind Cumilla level crossing accident: RAB Local people managed to capture one shooter named Jony at the scene and handed him over to police. A murder case was later filed with Pallabi police station by the victim’s family. On November 18 last year, RAB-4 arrested two other accused—Monir Hossain alias Sohel alias Pata Sohel, 30, and Sujon alias Bukpora Sujon, 35—in connection with the case.

Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mosleh Uddin Ahmed officially assumed charge as the new Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at a ceremony held at CID Headquarters on Wednesday. The event also included a farewell reception for outgoing CID Chief Additional IGP Md. Sibgat Ullah. A 15th BCS (Police) officer, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed brings extensive experience from key roles in Police Headquarters, Dhaka and Chittagong Metropolitan Police, and as Superintendent of Police in several districts. He has also served internationally with distinction in the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The new CID Chief emphasized professionalism, integrity, and teamwork, pledging to further strengthen CID as a trusted and dynamic investigative agency. He warned against negligence and stressed the importance of honesty and accountability in all duties. Outgoing Chief Md. Sibgat Ullah highlighted achievements during his 313-day tenure, including reducing pending cases from around 600 to about 50 and enhancing CID’s capabilities in handling complex financial crimes. He also underscored the importance of crime scene management and evidence-based investigation, describing CID as a family where teamwork and sincerity drive visible change. The ceremony concluded with a commitment to continue ongoing reforms and development initiatives. Officers from various levels of CID, including DIG, Additional DIG, Superintendents, and Additional Superintendents of Police, attended in person, while field officers joined online.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday filed a petition seeking to show former army officer and former Member of Parliament Masud Uddin Chowdhury arrested in a case over alleged embezzlement of Tk 119 crore by sending workers to Malaysia. ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad submitted the petition on Wednesday at the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court. Acting Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury fixed April 9 for hearing on the matter and ordered that the accused be produced before the court on that day. ACC Assistant Director Aminul Islam confirmed the development. According to the petition, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and others allegedly conspired together, abusing government authority with dishonest intent and committing criminal breach of trust. The accused were appointed as agents to recruit workers for Malaysia at the government-fixed cost of Tk 78,990 per worker. However, the petition states that they allegedly hatched a criminal conspiracy by using the influence of a ruling party MP to collect extra money from the recruited workers through various stages. Ex-MP  and army general Masud Uddin Chowdhury placed on 5 days' remand in human trafficking case They are also accused of engaging in activities beyond the contract and receiving illegal gratification as public servants apart from the legally agreed remuneration. According to the ACC, the accused embezzled a total of Tk 119 crore and 32 lakh by taking extra money from 7,124 workers sent to Malaysia, including additional charges for passports, medical tests and other fees beyond the government-fixed amount.  

Detectives have detained former Feni-3 lawmaker Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury from the capital’s Baridhara area. Masud Uddin, a key figure during the army-backed caretaker government, was picked up from his residence at Baridhara DOHS around 2:30am on Tuesday. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said he is an accused in at least five cases filed in Dhaka and Feni.  “A decision will be taken in which case he will be shown arrested after completing the scrutinising process,” the DB chief said. Teenage boy killed in Feni road crash He also said there is an arrest warrant against him in a July Movement related case filed in Feni. In addition, he is facing allegations of human trafficking abroad. Further legal steps will be taken in this regard, he added.

Five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to maintain security and law and order at the historic Sholakia Eidgah ground in Kishoreganj ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Like previous years, the 199th Eid congregation will be held at 10:00am at the country’s largest Eid gathering venue tomorrow on Saturday. BGB has taken the security measures as part of its continued efforts to ensure overall safety and maintain law and order alongside its regular duties at the border. Lt Col Touhidul Bari, commanding officer of Netrokona Battalion (31 BGB), said the forces have been deployed to ensure the safety of worshippers and maintain discipline during the congregation. BGB personnel will work in coordination with the district administration and other law enforcement agencies to create a security perimeter in and around the Eidgah ground, he said. He also urged devotees to use designated entry points and refrain from carrying bags, sharp objects or any suspicious items. BGB has been performing its duties with professionalism, integrity and dedication, he added, expressing hope that the Eid congregation will be held in a peaceful and secure environment with the joint efforts of all agencies.

The killing of TikTok content creator and college student Rakib in the capital’s Central Shaheed Minar area was planned over suspicion regarding his communication with a young lady. According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), the killing was carried out by hired killers on the order of the woman’s husband, Sajid. Five suspects—Shihab, Joy, Rafin, Sagar and Salauddin—have been arrested in connection with the incident. Among them, Rafin was apprehended from the crime scene, while Shihab and Joy were arrested from Khulna, Sagar from Patuakhali, and Salauddin from Gopalganj. The information was disclosed by Deputy Commissioner (Ramna division) of DMP Masud Alam at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Thursday afternoon. He said Rakib previously had a good relationship with Sajid, a drug trader based in Khulna. However, suspicion arose over Rakib’s communication with Sajid’s wife, leading Sajid to allegedly hire killers to carry out the murder. Masud Alam said Sajid had been threatening Rakib for some time over the issue, which ultimately led to the murder. Of the five arrested, four were directly involved in the killing mission. The shooter, identified as Alamin, is still at large. Shihab, Joy and Rafin attacked Rakib with machetes and knives, while Sagar was present at the scene. Salauddin coordinated logistics, including supplying weapons and positioning the attackers. Police said they have identified several other suspects involved in the killing and are continuing efforts to arrest them. Investigators said the attackers travelled from Khulna to Dhaka with the intention of carrying out the murder. They stayed in different hotels in the capital and conducted surveillance on Rakib, who regularly visited the Shaheed Minar area at night due to his activities as a TikTok content creator. On the night of the incident, four attackers directly participated while others remained on backup. Rakib, a second-year BA student of Borhan Uddin College, was stabbed and shot dead at the Shaheed Minar on Sunday night. He was with friends when several attackers stabbed him indiscriminately before shooting him in the head. Rakib, son of a Dhaka University employee, hailed from Bhola Sadar’s Chowmuhani village and lived with his family on Nazimuddin Road in Nimtoli, in the city.