United News of Bangladesh

A Barishal court on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to life imprisonment for killing his wife over extramarital affair with his sister-in-law, 16 years ago. Barishal District and Session Judge Moshtaque Ahmed handed down the punishment. The condemned convict is Zahirul Islam, a LGRD engineer of Baufal upazila in Barishal district. The court also sentenced another accused of the case Abdul Malek to five years in jail. According to the prosecution, the convict Zahirul had developed an extramarital affair with his sister-in-law Ruma Akter. As Zahirul’s wife Nazma Zahir came to know about the issue, Zahirul took her to Ali International hotel in Barishal city on February 15, 2010. Later, he killed Nazma by slitting her throat. Nilufa Irine, sister of Nazma filed a case with Kotwali Model Police Station. Police submitted chargesheet against Zahirul and hotel manager Abdul Malek.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday decided to investigate the fresh allegations of money laundering, widespread irregularities and financial transactions involving transfers against former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. The allegations include laundering a large amount of money abroad and building assets in Portugal, Dubai, Singapore, Australia and Swiss bank. ACC Public Relations Department Assistant Director Md Tanzir Ahmed disclosed the information at the commission’s regular media briefing at its Segunbagicha headquarters in the capital in the afternoon. Tanzir said there are allegations against Asif Mahmud over financial transactions during his tenure as an adviser in connection with the appointment of the Dhaka North City Corporation administrator, postings of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), tenders for development projects under various city corporations and the Ministry of Local Government, as well as recruitment, transfers and promotions. “There are also allegations of embezzling money by inflating costs in rural infrastructure development, bridge construction, the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant and Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium projects,” he said. “Allegations were made that a large amount of money was laundered abroad and assets were built in Portugal, Dubai, Singapore, Australia and Swiss bank,” Tanzir Ahmed said. He said allegations have also been brought against Asif Mahmud’s father, his assistant private secretary (APS) and private officer (PO) over controlling a contractors’ syndicate, lobbying for bribe transactions and abusing power. “After verification and scrutiny of the complaint, the commission has decided to incorporate it into the ongoing inquiry and conduct an investigation,” he said. “You know that an allegation is already under inquiry. This complaint will be investigated by incorporating it into that ongoing inquiry,” he added. However, Asif Mahmud denied the allegations against him, describing such accusations as a “media trial” and “character assassination”. At a press conference titled “Allegations vs Reality” at NCP central office at Banglamotor in the afternoon, Asif Mahmud spoke about the allegations. Asif Mahmud said, “An inquiry is being conducted against me over promotions and transfers that took place during the BNP’s time. I mean, there should be a limit even to a circus. Clearly, I am being subjected to a media trial.” “If you find anything abroad during the investigation, just give me 10 percent. I’m struggling to get by,” Asif Mahmud said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Sunday said there is no alternative to enhancing the skills and capacity of police personnel to combat cybercrime. He made the remarks while inaugurating a 10-day Training of Trainers (ToT) course on investigation of cybercrime cases at the Police Staff College Bangladesh in Mirpur in the city on Sunday. “Artificial intelligence, deepfakes, encrypted communication systems and cloud computing have opened new avenues of opportunities, but at the same time created new challenges for law enforcement agencies,” the IGP said. He said criminals are abusing technology to commit cyber-based fraud, online financial crimes, data theft, hacking, online harassment and digital extortion. “Changes in the nature of policing have become a demand of the time to tackle the growing cybercrime. Developing investigation capacity to combat cybercrime is extremely essential for modern policing,” he said. Addressing the police officers attending the training, the IGP said the course would help them acquire not only technical skills but also training and communication skills. “The knowledge and skills gained through the training must be disseminated among other investigators,” he said, adding that effective training of other investigators would multiply the number of cybercrime case investigators. The IGP thanked the Training Wing of Police Headquarters and the Police Staff College Bangladesh for arranging the timely training and stressed the need for regularly organising such training and updating training materials and modules. Police Staff College Bangladesh Rector and Additional IGP Kazi Md Fazlul Karim presided over the programme, while CID chief and Additional IGP Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain attended as a special guest. DIG (Training) Md Ekramul Habib delivered the welcome address, while Additional DIG (Training-2) Dr Mosammat Shehela Parveen presented the roadmap and implementation strategy for cybercrime investigation training. Faculty members and resource persons of Police Staff College Bangladesh were also present. The Police Staff College Bangladesh organised the 10-day course at the initiative of the Training Branch of Police Headquarters. A total of 332 police officers participating in the ToT course will, in phases, provide training to field-level investigators of cybercrime cases.

A court in Habiganj on Sunday sentenced two persons to death for killing a teenage girl after violating her in Nabiganj Upazila of Habiganj in 2021. Judge Syeda Minhaz Um Munira of the Habiganj Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal handed down the verdict on Sunday. The court also fined Tk 20,000 each. The convicted individuals are Khalil Miah, son of Mirash Miah, and Golam Hossain, son of Ishad Ullah; both are from Haripur village in Nabiganj Upazila. According to case details, on the night of December 26, 2021, the accused abducted 17-year-old Juba Akter—daughter of Sufi Miah from Bagaura village in the same Upazila—from her home. They took her to a nearby paddy field where Khalil raped her. When Golam Hossain subsequently attempted to violate her, the victim resisted; the accused then killed her by slitting her throat. Following the incident, Sufi Miah filed a case against unknown persons at Nabiganj Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Police arrested Khalil after examining the call list on the victim's mobile phone. Upon interrogation while on remand, he confessed to the incident and gave a statement to a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. After the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against the accused. The judge framed charges under Sections 302 and 34 of the Penal Code and delivered the verdict after hearing the testimonies and cross-examinations of 14 witnesses.

The High Court on Sunday declared any strike or hartal called in protest against a court verdict or order illegal. The HC bench of Justice Sashanka Shekhar Sarkar and Justice Faysal Hasan Arif passed the order after hearing a writ petition. It also asked the authorities concerned to take action against bus owners' associations and transport workers' organisations if they call such programmes. The HC also directed the home secretary, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) to take action under criminal law if any strike or hartal is enforced against a court verdict or order. In its observation, the HC said the verdicts and orders of courts are binding on everyone under Article 112 of the Constitution. Although there is a legal avenue to appeal against a verdict, calling a hartal or strike in protest against a court verdict or order is illegal and contrary to the Constitution, it said. Five people, including filmmaker Tareque Masud and journalist Mishuk Munier, were killed in a road accident in Ghior upazila of Manikganj district in August 2011. A case was filed against the bus driver over the accident, and Manikganj Additional District and Sessions Judge sentenced the driver to life imprisonment on February 22, 2017. Protesting the court order, the transport owners reportedly went on a strike. Later, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a human rights organisation, filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking necessary legal intervention in the public interest. Following the writ petition, the High Court issued a rule in 2017 asking as to why enforcing any strike or hartal against any court verdict should not be declared illegal. It also asked the persons concerned to withdraw their strike within 24 hours and ensure movement of vehicles on road.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) recovered 17 rounds of ammunition and cartridges from the bank of a pond in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur early Saturday. The ammunition was recovered from Rashidpur village under Latibpur Union, said Biplob Kumar Goswami, senior assistant director (media) of RAB-13. The recovered items include eight lead-ball shotgun cartridges, eight rubber shotgun cartridges and one live round of 7.62mm rifle ammunition. Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mithapukur Police Station, said RAB handed the ammunition and cartridges to the police. A case was filed in connection with the recovery, he said. He added that intelligence and anti-crime operations would continue to help build a society free from terrorism.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday successfully foiled an attempt by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to illegally push 10 to 12 unidentified individuals into Bangladesh through the Kalindi River border in Satkhira district amid adverse weather and heavy rain. Members of Char Sahebkhali BSF Camp under the 77 BSF Battalion attempted the illegal push-in using one country boat and one speed boat on Friday morning at a place named 'Chhot Banshjharia Mini Forest' in a mid-river char area of the Kalindi River, located approximately 3.5 kilometers south of Khurmi Border Outpost (BOP) under the Nildumur Battalion (17 BGB), according to a BGB press release. Upon spotting the activity, a patrol team from Khurmi BOP immediately dispatched a speed boat to the scene despite heavy rainfall and blocked their entry into Bangladeshi territory. Faced with BGB's firm stance, BSF members failed in their attempt and eventually took the 10 to 12 individuals back into Indian territory at around 11 a.m. Lieutenant Colonel Khandakar Abu Sahal Abdullah, commanding officer of Nildumur Battalion (17 BGB), said that 17 BGB is maintaining maximum alertness, professionalism and responsibility to ensure national border security. "No individual or group will be allowed to illegally enter Bangladeshi territory," Abdullah said, emphasizing that any push-in attempt violating international border management guidelines, existing laws and bilateral agreements will be strictly resisted.

Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) have detained three people with 861.8 grams of gold jewellery, equivalent to around 74 bhori, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The detainees were identified as Md Nasir Molla, 40, Sohag Sheikh, 24, and Md Hasan Mia, 23. According to APBn, the three were seen moving suspiciously on the footpath on the northern side of the airport roundabout late Thursday night. Sensing the presence of police, they allegedly tried to flee discreetly, but APBn personnel detained them. A body search led to the recovery of 861.8 grams of gold jewellery in their possession. The jewellery was made of 21- and 22-carat gold and had an estimated market value of Tk 1,36,86,160. During preliminary interrogation, the detainees reportedly said the jewellery had been brought into Bangladesh from different countries through unidentified passengers for the purpose of smuggling. APBn said the three had allegedly been involved in gold smuggling at the airport for a long time. A regular case was filed against them with the Airport Police Station on Thursday. The case alleges that the three, in collusion with one another and with the assistance of unidentified passengers, brought the gold into the country illegally for smuggling while evading government revenue and kept it in their possession. Mohammad Rezaul Kabir, superintendent of police of Airport (13) APBn, said the force remains committed to maintaining security at the airport and preventing crime. “We remain active and vigilant in preventing smuggling and controlling other crimes. Airport APBn is determined to prevent gold and drug smuggling, and our operations to stop any form of smuggling through the airport will continue,” he said.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Spokesperson and former Youth and Sports Adviser to the interim government, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, has sent a legal notice to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam, demanding withdrawal of his remarks that “preliminary truth” was found in graft allegations against him. In a message sent to the media on Friday, the NCP said Akhtarul Islam, at a press briefing on September 2, claimed that preliminary evidence supported allegations of irregularities in transfers, recruitment and promotions during Asif Mahmud's tenure as adviser. The remarks were widely circulated by various media outlets and on social media afterwards, it said. The party alleged that the statement, made without any formal investigation or concrete evidence, triggered what it said a large-scale media trial against Asif Mahmud, creating a public perception that the allegations were already proven and damaging his personal and political reputation. According to the NCP, Akhtarul Islam later sent a message to journalists in a WhatsApp group for ACC beat reporters, saying his earlier remarks were made "by mistake" and requesting that the phrase "preliminary truth" be dropped from news coverage. However, the party noted that the statement made at the public press conference was never formally withdrawn or corrected, allowing the resulting media trial and negative public perception to persist. The legal notice also pointed out factual inconsistencies in the allegations. While the ACC official claimed 38 upazila youth development officers were stripped of their current charge, the NCP said the actual number was 112, and that the decision was implemented as part of enforcing an Administrative Appellate Tribunal order. The party further said linking Asif Mahmud to the promotion of 150 assistant upazila youth development officers to upazila youth development officers was baseless, noting he resigned as adviser on December 10, 2025, while the promotions were made on May 11, 2026, five months after his resignation and three months into the BNP-led government's tenure. The notice calls on the ACC official to unconditionally withdraw his remarks within 15 days and refrain from making unverified, unsubstantiated statements in future. It warns that failure to comply will result in legal action, including under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which deals with defamation.

Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a 44-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Jirani Canal under Trimohoni Bridge in the capital's Khilgaon area. The arrestee was identified as Abdullah, 33. Harun-or-Rashid, deputy commissioner (Motijheel Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said Abdullah was arrested on Thursday night. Police recovered the body of Joj Miah from the canal around 10am on Wednesday. As his identity was initially unknown, police collected his fingerprints and later identified him as Joj Miah, son of Anwar Hossain of the Bandar area in Narayanganj. He had been living in Khilgaon, police said. Citing family members, police said Joj left his Khilgaon home on Tuesday. Around 12:30am on Wednesday, he went to Mintu's garage in Merul Badda, where Abdullah and others allegedly stabbed him. The suspects later allegedly transported the body in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and dumped it into the Jirani Canal, police said. Joj's wife Rozina Akter filed a murder case with Khilgaon Police Station after police recovered the body. "We have interrogated the suspect, and he has initially admitted his involvement in the murder," Daud Khan, officer-in-charge of Khilgaon Police Station, said, adding that efforts were underway to arrest the other suspects.