United News of Bangladesh

A search committee has been formed to establish the Election Commission, Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said on Tuesday. The recommendation has been submitted to the Chief Adviser for signature, and official notification will be issued as soon as the signature is obtained today or tomorrow, said the adviser. Following a morning meeting with Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the adviser shared these updates with journalists. Law Adviser hails revival of Supreme Judicial Council  He emphasised the government’s steps toward a fair election, starting with the establishment of the Election Commission. He further noted that once the Election Commission is constituted, the priority will be updating the voter list to eliminate fake entries allegedly added by the previous government. After the meeting, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said he discussed with the Law Adviser matters related to the rule of law and human rights issues.  Journalists involved in killing students to face trial in ICT: Law Advisor Turk also mentioned the importance of aligning government reforms with human rights standards, adding that a fact-finding committee is investigating human rights violations committed from July 1 to August 15, and the UN headquarters is closely monitoring the situation. 

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam has called for enhanced efforts in ongoing special operations targeting terrorism, robbery, extortion, drug-related crimes, teen gangs, and traffic management issues. In a directive issued on Monday, the IGP emphasized the importance of these operations in maintaining public safety. Commission working to know who specifically involved in ‘Aynaghar’ misdeeds He highlighted that actions are being taken against individuals involved in violent incidents against students during the anti-discrimination movement, as well as suspects in significant murder cases. The police are conducting combing operations in high-crime areas, supported by both permanent and temporary check-posts. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) currently operates 150 check-posts, alongside 300 motorcycle teams and 250 patrol teams.  “Increased intelligence surveillance and mobile patrols are also in place,” the IGP mentioned. Since the start of the ongoing operations, authorities have arrested 200 robbers and extortionists, 16 listed terrorists, and over 1,140 individuals involved in assaults on anti-discrimination protesters. Ex-IGP Benazir sued in case filed over 2016 crossfire killing Additionally, 55 individuals with illegal weapons have been apprehended, and actions against drug-related crimes have led to the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics. The IGP reaffirmed the commitment to pursuing legal action against those involved in criminal activities, regardless of political affiliations. The police aim to ensure a safer environment for all citizens through these intensified efforts.

Joint forces have arrested 22 alleged members of criminal gangs, including 'teen gang' members, from different parts of Mohammadpur in the capital. The joint forces comprising army and police conducted the drives in Mohammadpur’s Dhaka Udyan, Chand Uddyan and Geneva camp on Sunday, said an ISPR release. Mohammadpur’s top listed criminal Adam Bepari Selim, ringleader of notorious ‘Ruhul gang’ Ibrahim and Sagar were among the arrestees. Culture of teen gangs a curse for Mohammadpur: Police Besides, two listed drug traders, 10 muggers and seven criminals of ‘teen gang’ were also arrested from Geneva camp. All of them were handed over to police. Earlier, on Saturday, the joint forces arrested 45 members of criminal gangs from different parts of the capital.

A Joypurhat court has ordered legal action against nine individuals, in connection with the killing of Shafinur Islam Shafin in a "crossfire" incident while in Rab custody in 2016, that the family is now claiming was a fake encounter resulting in Shafin's extrajudicial killing. The accused include the then-director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Benazir Ahmed, who retired as IGP, and then-Police Superintendent Molla Nazrul Islam. The directive comes as part of a case filed eight years after the incident, seeking justice for the death. The case was filed on Sunday by Nazrul Islam, father of the deceased, from Chokmohan village in Joypurhat's Sadar upazila. In total, the case involves 25 accused individuals, with the court initially focusing on the first nine named in the complaint. Senior District and Sessions Judge Md. Mojibur Rahman instructed that legal measures be taken against the nine, ordering the Police Superintendent to report back within 24 hours. Former IGP Benazir faces case over second passport through forgery In addition to Benazir and Nazrul, the others against whom the court ordered action include Major Hasan Arafat of the Joypurhat Rab camp, deputy assistant director (DAD) Md Firoz Ali Khan, sub-inspector (SI) Enamul Haque, DAD Mahfuzar Rahman, SI Debashish Nandi of Sadar Police Station, Rab Naik Habibur Rahman, and Constable Mehedi Hasan. All the posts mentioned date from the time of the incident. According to the case details, the incident began on September 26, 2016, when members of the Joypurhat Rap camp arrested Shafinur Islam Shafin around 9pm from Dhaka's Uttara area. Approximately one month later, on the night of October 25, at around 9:30 pm, Shafin was reportedly shot and killed at an abandoned paddy field owned by Helal in Dadaura Nandigram, Joypurhat Sadar upazila. Plaintiff's lawyer, Adv Mahfuzur Rahman Helal, informed the press that the court had acknowledged the allegations against the first nine accused and had ordered the Joypurhat SP to take legal action accordingly. The court mandated that the SP update it on the steps taken within a 24-hour period. Speaking over the phone, SP Muhammad Abdul Wahab confirmed that "legal action is being taken as per the court's directive."

An investigation is underway to take action against local policemen involved in the looting of sand worth Tk 100 crore from the Dhopajan-Chalti rivers in Sunamganj. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jahidul Islam of Sunamganj Sadar Circle has been assigned to investigate the matter alongside several other police officers. ASP (Media) Zakir Hossain confirmed the matter recently. Reports suggest that four police officers have already faced disciplinary actions for their involvement in the looting. Among them is Detective Branch (DB) Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam, who has been transferred to the APBN. However, he had not yet joined his new post as of Sunday. Additionally, Detective Branch Sub-Inspector Wasim and Sunamganj Sadar Police Station Investigation Officer (IO) Wali Ashraf have been transferred to a remote station in Shalla for their alleged negligence in duty regarding river security. SI Rabbi also faces a departmental inquiry. ASP Jahidul Islam gathered written statements from the accused officers on Friday. DB Officer Aminul Islam confirmed submitting his statement, acknowledging his transfer to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, but noted that higher authorities are better suited to explain the reasons behind the transfer. Other officers involved have similarly provided written statements to the investigating officer. Local and national media recently reported on the widespread sand and stone theft in the rivers, highlighting police involvement. Journalists on-site reported that sand extractors would often contact SI Rabbi, IO Wali Ashraf, and DB police officers before loading boats, providing names of boat operators, vessels, and contact information. Additionally, reports alleged that payments were made to police personnel in Sunamganj, either at the city’s launch terminal or near the police station, following each transaction. ASP Jahidul Islam confirmed the ongoing investigation but refrained from further comments while the inquiry is in progress.

A writ petition was submitted to the High Court on Monday, seeking restrictions on political activities of the ousted Awami League (AL), while not seeking a blanket ban on the party itself. Coordinators Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement filed the petition with the relevant section of the High Court. An HC bench, comprising Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Sikdar Md Mahmudur Rajib, is expected to hear the petition shortly. Advocate Ahsanul Karim, who represented the petitioners, said that the writ aims to prevent AL leaders from engaging in political activities. He said that the move is intended to uphold public interest amid ongoing political developments. Read: Awami League calls BCL ban an “ironic blow to the nation’s history” This latest petition follows a prior application filed in August, which called for a full ban on the AL but it was subsequently rejected by a High Court dual bench headed by Justice AKM Asaduzzaman on September 1. On October 23, the interim government imposed a ban on AL’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, citing provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Formed on June 23, 1949, the Awami League has been facing mounting challenges after its President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country following a student-led uprising on August 5.

The Appellate Division on Monday stayed for six months the bail granted by the High Court to Sohel Rana, the owner of Rana Plaza that collapsed in 2013 leaving 1,138 RMG workers dead, in a murder case over the deadly incident. The court, however, ordered the disposal of a rule issued regarding the staying of the bail within two months. The three-member bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam passed the order after hearing a petition for staying his bail. 5 activists of banned BCL arrested for attack on students in Khilgaon Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir stood for Sohel Rana, prime accused in the Rana Plaza collapse case filed by police, and attorney generals Mohammad Arshadur Rouf and Barrister Anik R Haque represented the state. On October 1, an HC bench granted bail to Rana for six months. A petition was submitted with the Appellate Division the next day seeking a stay order on the bail and the court set October 28 for hearing. Why Article 116 of the Constitution Should Not Be Declared Unconstitutional  Sohel Rana, who was involved in Jubo League politics in Savar, was arrested from Jashore’s Benapole on April 29 in 2013 while trying to flee India. He has been in jail since then. Over the tragic incident then SI of Savar police station Wali Ashraf filed a murder case accusing the owner and others of dereliction and negligence in building construction.

The High Court has issued a rule questioning why Article 116 of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to control magistrates of subordinate courts, including matters of posting, promotion, and leave approval, should not be declared unconstitutional. The bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury, issued the rule on Sunday following the initial hearing of a writ petition filed by seven Supreme Court lawyers. Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir represented the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan and Assistant Attorney General Mujahidul Islam Shaheen appeared for the state. The writ, filed on August 25, seeks to transfer the authority of controlling magistrates of subordinate courts (posting, promotion, and leave approval) from the President to the Supreme Court. Article 116 of the Constitution currently assigns this authority to the President. However, the petition challenges its validity, arguing that the responsibility should lie with the Supreme Court to ensure judicial independence. The writ named the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the Secretary of the Law and Justice Division, and the Registrar of the Supreme Court as respondents. According to the petition, the 1972 Constitution originally vested the control of magistrates in subordinate courts with the Supreme Court. However, the Fourth Amendment in 1974 shifted this authority to the President. Later, the Fifth Amendment inserted the clause "in consultation with the Supreme Court." When the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court declared the Fifth Amendment unconstitutional, the Fifteenth Amendment Act of 2011 reinstated the current provision in Article 116. The petitioners argue that giving the President control over magistrates compromises judicial independence. They believe the Supreme Court should retain full control over magistrates for a truly independent judiciary. Shishir Monir also pointed out that the judiciary has become stagnant due to the lack of a separate secretariat, and the control of the Law Ministry over subordinate courts has hindered the independence of judicial officials in conducting their duties.

The Shahjahanpur station of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested five members of the banned organization, Chhatra League, for allegedly attacking students during an anti-discrimination movement at Meradia Bazaar in Khilgaon. The arrested individuals are Nazif Fuad (24), Md. Sirajul Abedin Shuvo (24), Mizanur Rahman Arsan (24), Ibrahim Sheikh (27), and Tanijul Haque Sifat (24). They were apprehended during an operation conducted in the Shahjahanpur area on Saturday. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the arrested individuals were directly involved in suppressing the anti-discrimination student movement in the Khilgaon area. On October 17, a complaint was filed by the injured of student  movement Ahadul Islam’s father on October 17 at Khilgaon police station. The arrested individuals have been presented before the court as part of the ongoing investigation.

Joint forces have arrested 45 members of criminal gangs, including 'teen gangs', from different parts of the capital on charges of mugging and extortion. The joint forces comprising Army, Rab and police conducted the drives in Mohammadpur’s Dhaka Udyan, Chand Uddyan and Nobodoy Housing areas on Saturday night, said an ISPR release. They also seized nine locally made weapons from their possession. So far, the joint forces arrested 152 people and recovered 18 firearms, 271 rounds of bullets, 172 weapons, one grenade and huge drugs from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, Adabar and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.