United News of Bangladesh

Three years ago, a man known only as ‘Mahmudur Rahman’ was quietly laid to rest in a madrasa graveyard in Savar, his identity shrouded in mystery. Today, DNA testing has brought this chapter of uncertainty to a close, unearthing a poignant tale of mistaken identity, unanswered questions, and a family's enduring quest for closure. The man has been conclusively identified as Harris Chowdhury, the former political secretary to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a prominent BNP leader. This revelation ends years of speculation about his fate and sheds light on a story that had remained buried—both figuratively and literally. DNA Confirmation and Exhumation Following a High Court order, Harris Chowdhury’s body was exhumed from the madrasa graveyard by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). DNA samples collected from the remains were matched with those of his daughter, Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, yielding a positive match. The High Court, led by Justice Fahmida Khatun and Justice Mubina Asaf, granted permission for Harris Chowdhury’s burial at a location chosen by his family. The court further instructed that he be accorded due honours as a freedom fighter. Barrister Mahdin Chowdhury, who represented the petitioner, said that the court's decision brought long-awaited justice for the family. Read: Body exhumed in Savar to verify Harris Chowdhury’s identity Barrister Samira expressed relief, saying, “The outgoing fascist regime scripted a drama to cast doubt on my father’s death, perpetuating confusion through media reports. This uncertainty was agonising for us as a family. We turned to the court for closure, and today, justice has been served.” A Life Shrouded in Mystery Harris Chowdhury disappeared in 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government’s anti-corruption drive. He reportedly went into hiding in Sylhet, later fleeing to India and eventually settling in the United Kingdom after stints in Pakistan and Iran. In 2015, rumours suggested he had returned to Bangladesh, but no concrete evidence emerged. Even his family and close political associates were unaware of his whereabouts. Living under the alias Mahmudur Rahman, Chowdhury resided in Dhaka until his death from Covid-19 on September 3, 2021, at Evercare Hospital. Under pressure from law enforcement agencies, his death was concealed, and he was buried in Savar without a death certificate under his real name. Barrister Samira said the government of the time denied her father the honours he deserved as a freedom fighter. Read more: HC orders to exhume body of Harris Chowdhury for DNA test “Today’s court order ends the harassment and confusion surrounding my father’s death. We are grateful to the court for allowing us to re-bury him with dignity,” she remarked. As his body is finally laid to rest, the veil over his life—and death—has been lifted, ending a tale of mystery, intrigue, and resilience.

Another case has been filed against 79 people, including Suchinta Foundation leader Jinnat Sohana Chowdhry, over clashes among law enforcers, followers of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das  and others on Chattogram court premises recently that left a lawyer dead. One Mohammad Ullah Chowdhury filed the case on Wednesday morning, said Kotwali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Abdul Karim. With this, a total of six cases have so far been filed in this connection. In the latest case, twenty nine people were named and 40 to 50 were unidentified ones, the OC said. Read: Ctg court premises turns violent over denial of ex-ISKCON leader’s bail Some of them were  identified as former Chittagong City Corporation’s ward councillors Jahar Lal Hazari, Shaibal Das Suman and city unit of Mohila Jubo League leader Jinnat, banned Chhatra League leaders Shuvo Kanti Das, Mithun, Bijoy and Samir Kanti Dey. According to the case statement, the accused financed behind the attack that left lawyer Saiful Islam Alif dead and several others injured. Among the other cases, slain Saiful’s father and brother filed two separate murder cases and police lodged three. Read more: CMP challenges accuracy of Reuters report on protest outside Ctg court On November 26, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes among law enforcers, agitated protestors, and supporters of Chinmoy Krishna following the denial of his bail petition in a sedition case.

A writ petition has been filed in the higher court challenging the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023 in what they said a historic step towards seeking climate justice. The writ petition was led by Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development Limited (LEED) by its Counsel, Barrister Abdullah Mahmood Hasan, Advocate Abdullah Al Noman, Advocate Monera Haque Mone, and Advocate Shimon Raihan, said a press release of the platform on Wednesday. LEED is a social enterprise advocating for energy security and environmental protection. It aims to confront the government's continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to prioritise climate change and human rights, said the media release. In the initial hearing, a Division Bench of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued a rule calling on respondents to show cause “as to why the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023 should not be reconsidered taking account from representation of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and why the respondents should not be directed to consider and implement the Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP) 2022-2041 approved by the government in light of various International Treaties entered into by Bangladesh in the capacity of State”. This legal battle aims to ensure Bangladesh upholds its constitutional commitment to a healthy environment and its international obligations under climate agreements like the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the press release. This case mirrors the pioneering climate lawsuits filed by citizens worldwide, including a recent action taken by children in South Korea against their government’s climate policies. It stands as a monumental step towards climate justice in South Asia and sets a vital legal precedent for holding governments accountable for their climate inaction, according to the release. Regarding this, Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), informed the lawyers that the IEPMP 2023, which heavily relies on fossil fuels such as coal and LNG (30.7%), along with advanced technologies like liquid hydrogen and ammonia (32.8%) by 2050, directly contradicts Bangladesh’s Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP), which envisions 100% renewable energy by the same year. The petitioners assert that the IEPMP violates sections of the Environment Conservation Act and the spirit of Article 18A of the Bangladesh Constitution, which emphasizes the right to a healthy environment for current and future citizens. Read: Integrated energy-power sector master plan likely to be ready by November  The IEPMP continues its reliance on fossil fuels, which threatens both environmental sustainability and the health of future generations, as fossil fuel emissions are a primary driver of climate change, contributing to extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones, and droughts challenges to which Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable.Concerns are raised regarding the IEPMP’s reliance on unproven technologies like hydrogen and ammonia co-firing, questioning its economic feasibility. Reports also indicate a lack of transparency in its formulation, including undisclosed budgets and the exclusion of Bangladeshi experts. The IEPMP's approach is at odds with international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Climate Vulnerable Forum Vision, which aim to enhance climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. In contrast, the MCPP advocates for renewable energy and environmental protection, aligning more closely with legal and constitutional principles. It emphasises inclusive participation from various sectors, including grassroots producers of renewable energy, and prioritizes international cooperation and financial commitments for renewable projects. Read more: Bangladesh to formulate integrated energy-power sector master plan with focus on 3E+S concept While the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has funded various energy projects in Bangladesh, its financing of fossil fuel initiatives, such as coal power plants, raises concerns about compliance with global climate commitments. The MCPP seeks to attract international support for renewable energy projects, advocating for a shift away from fossil fuel dependency, thus demonstrating a commitment to global climate action.

Former ministers Amir Hossain Amu and advocate Qamrul Islam have been produced before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in connection with a genocide case. They were presented before the court around 10 am, according to the prosecution. On December 2, the ICT directed the relevant authorities to produce them on Wednesday. It has been reported that the duo will be shown arrested in a case filed on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide allegedly committed during the July-August mass uprising. Read: Protest Rally demands compensation, rehabilitation for victims of July-August uprising Qamrul was detained by detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in Uttara, Dhaka, on November 18. He was subsequently shown arrested in a case related to the death of businessman Abdul Wadud, 45, which occurred on July 19 in the New Market area during the anti-discrimination student movement. Separately, Amu was apprehended by detectives from a residence in West Dhanmondi on November 6. He has also been implicated in the same case.

A drug peddler was arrested in a raid in the capital's Sabujbagh area on Tuesday, along with 100 Yaba tablets. Police said Md Babul, also known as Swarnakar Babu, 42, was arrested in the Kazi Wahab Colony area under the Sabujbagh Police Station. Acting on a tip-off about a person selling Yaba in the area, police conducted an operation and arrested Babul. A case has been filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act at the Sabujbagh Police Station. During initial interrogation, Babul revealed that he had been sourcing Yaba from various parts of the country for resale in different areas of the capital, including Sabujbagh. Police also noted that Babul has six previous drug-related cases filed against him at Sabujbagh, Kadamtali, Ramna Model, and Shahjahanpur police stations.  

Police in a drive arrested four members of a robber gang from the Uttara area of the capital on Monday. The arrestees were identified as Md. Jumman Kazi (24), Md. Hasnain (28), Md. Mizanur Rahman Gazi (24), and Md. Hossain (20). They were apprehended around 8:25 pm on Monday from the Sector No. 10 area of Uttara West, police said on Tuesday. According to Uttara West Police, the patrol team arrested the suspects while they were positioned on the Ashulia-Abdullahpur highway in front of Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College. At the time, they were carrying 15 to 16 country-made weapons, preparing for a robbery. Around 10 to 12 of their accomplices managed to flee the scene. Police recovered a machete, two knives, and an iron chain from their possession. Initial questioning revealed that the arrested individuals were active members of a well-organized gang involved in robberies and snatching. The gang members typically stayed along the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Ashulia highways, armed with machetes, knives, and iron chains. They would ambush pedestrians and vehicles, robbing them whenever an opportunity arose. Chinmoy Das’ bail hearing deferred to January 2 Md. Jumman Kazi, one of the arrested individuals, has two prior cases of robbery and snatching filed against him at the Pallabi and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police stations in the capital. The arrested suspects have been sent to court, and an investigation into the case is underway. Police are also conducting a drive to arrest other members of the gang who are still at large.  

A Dhaka court on Tuesday ordered the confiscation of the properties of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and seven members of the family, worth Tk 143 crore in foreign countries. Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Md Zakir Hossain passed the order on November 21 following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The other members of the family are—Afroza Begm, wife of Akbar Sobhan, her three sons—Sayem Sobhan Anvir, Safiat Sobhan and Safwan Sobhan, three daughters-in-law---Sabrina Sobhan, Sania Ferdousi Sobhan and Yasha Sobhan. The ACC informed that they have movable and immovable property worth Tk 143 crore and they have properties in foreign countries. According to the ACC investigation report, the accused have taken bank loans from the bank in the name of different companies and a portion of the amount of money used to purchase assets in foreign countries. They also invested the money in 19 companies in different countries. Bangladesh Bank approves Tk 3,000 crore low-interest loan for ICB Mir Ahmed Salam, Public Prosecutor said the court asked to send the copy of the court order to the company concerned in Singapore, Switzerland, UK, UAE, Slovakia, Cypress, Saint Kitts and Nevis and British Virgin. Apart from it, it also asked to submit the same copy to the Home Ministry, ACC and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Bashundhara MD Anvir got citizenship of Slovakia after investing 30 lakh Euro and Yasha Sobhan got the citizenship of Cypress in exchange of 20 lakh Euro while Akabr and his wife Afroza got the citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis in exchange of 2.5 crore dollar. ACC also found that Safwan and Sonia Ferdousi opened accounts in the UAE’s Habib Bank and Cypress’s Euro Bank. On October 21, the court also imposed a travel ban on the Bashundhara Group chairman and his family members. On October 6, the court also ordered the property of them.  

The law ministry has asked the public prosecutors across the country to submit a list of all ‘political harassment cases’ filed during the tenure of the fallen Awami League government. The ministry has issued an order recently seeking a list of the cases filed from January 6, 2009 to August 5, 2024. The public prosecutors have been asked to send the list to solicitor @lawjusticediv.gov.bd or solicitor wing of the Law and Justice division as per the table made by the ministry before December 17. The ministry has prepared a table requiring the inclusion of information such as the name of the district, case number, name of the court, name and identity of the complainant or plaintiff, total number of accused persons, the number of unidentified accused (if any), the date of the incident mentioned in the complaint or first information report (FIR), the specific law and section under which the case was filed and the current status of the case.

The bail hearing in a sedition case against Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, has been rescheduled to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Saiful Islam fixed the next hearing date for January 2 on Tuesday following the prosecution's request for time due to the absence of his lawyer. Protest for Chinmoy Krishna’s release: Three cases filed over attack on police On November 26, Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Judge Kazi Shariful Islam rejected the bail plea and ordered Chinmoy Das to be sent to jail. On November 26, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes among law enforcers, agitated protestors, and supporters of Chinmoy Krishna following the denial of his bail petition in a sedition case. Protestors vandalised several motorcycles and vehicles parked on the court road. India attempting to further provoke Chinmoy incident: Nahid Five cases, including a murder case, were filed. Police arrested around 30 people in connection with these cases. A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed around the court area apprehending untoward incidents centering the possible bail hearing on Tuesday. Dhaka responds to Delhi’s Chinmoy statement as Bangladesh’s 'internal affairs' Members of  Chattogram Bar Association staged protests on the court premises, demanding the arrest of the killers of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif and criticising the exclusion of Chinmoy Krishna Das from the murder case.

Sixty percent of those taking part in a survey have demanded investigations into allegations of human rights violations by the police through an independent organisation. Many also supported forming a permanent investigative commission led by a retired justice of the High Court to probe such allegations against the police according to the survey titled ‘The Kind of Police We Want.’ Currently, no independent body investigates such allegations. 71.5% support punishing police for excessive force: Survey The survey findings were revealed on Tuesday by the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Section 18 of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009 bars the Commission from investigating allegations against the police or other law enforcement agencies. Of the remaining respondents, another group advocates empowering the Human Rights Commission through legal amendments to investigate such allegations.   The survey also uncovered that 58.9% of respondents support creating a regulatory agency or commission to ensure police accountability and shield them from undue influence. Meanwhile, 41.1% favour establishing an independent ombudsman for the police within a constitutional framework. 44.9% dissatisfied with online police clearance: Survey The Home Ministry conducted this survey with the participation of 24,442 people. Among them, 86.6% were aged between 18 and 44. However, nearly 95% of the respondents were male. Of the respondents, 36.4% were employed, 27.2% were students, 7.6% were businessmen, and 7.1% belonged to other significant categories. Most respondents were from Dhaka district, followed by Chattogram and Cumilla.