United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday filed a case against 34 individuals, including Janata Bank’s two former chairmen and a former managing director, over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 1,963.54 crore through abuse of power and loan fraud. The case was filed at the ACC’s Chattogram Integrated District Office by the Commission’s Deputy Director Mohammad Sirajul Haque, Confirming the development, ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain said the accused had violated banking rules and colluded to misappropriate the funds. According to the case statement, the accused approved loan limits in breach of conditions, created excessive funded and non-funded liabilities, and issued loans through inflated loan trust receipts and letters of indemnity.  Investigators said the group systematically flouted regulations to siphon off Tk 1,963.54 crore from Janata Bank’s Agrabad General Insurance Building Corporate Branch in Chattogram. The accused from Janata Bank include former chairmen Dr Jamal Uddin Ahmed and S M Mahfuzur Rahman; former CEO and MD Md Abdul Alim Azad; former directors Khandaker Sabera Islam, Mohammad Abul Kashem, Amit Kumar Pal, K M Shamsul Alam, Mohammad Samad Ullah, Dr Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Ziauddin Ahmed, Md Abdul Majid and Begum Rubana Amin; former deputy managing directors Md Abdul Jabbar, Md Tajul Islam, Md Ismail Hossain and Sheikh Md Zaminur Rahman; former general managers Md Kamrul Ahsan, Masfiul Bari, Md Ashraful Alam, Md Kamruzzaman Khan, S M Abdul Wadud, Mitanur Rahman and Md Shamim Alam Qureshi; and former deputy general managers of Janata Bank PLC Md Sirajul Karim Majumdar, Md Shahidul Haque and Md Abul Monsur. The case also names officials linked to S Alam Group and associated companies: Global Trading Corporation Ltd Managing Director Md Rashedul Alam, directors Farhana Begum and Mohammad Abdus Sabur; S Alam Group owner and S Alam Trading Co (Pvt) Ltd director Md Saiful Alam, director Md Osman Gani; Sonali Traders owner Md Shahidul Alam; NN Inspection Service managing partner Khandaker Robiul Haque; and Commodity Inspection Services (BD) Ltd Managing Director Khandaker Zahirul Haque. The ACC alleges that the accused acted in collusion, committed criminal breach of trust, and engaged in fraudulent activities to siphon off public money in one of the largest loan scams in Janata Bank’s history.

A physician of Mymensingh Medical College (MMC) has been suspended for misbehaving with the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr. Md Abu Jafor on Saturday afternoon (December 06, 2025). Dr. Dhandeb Barman, who was in-charge of the Casualty Department, has been asked to show cause for his rude behavior. A video of the incident went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism from various quarters. Earlier in the morning, the DGHS DG visited Mymensingh Medical College Hospital to attend a seminar on the recent progress and challenges in treating bladder and reproductive system diseases in children. Read more: Naogaon residents battle dengue surge as urban services falter Before the seminar, Prof Jafor inspected different sections of the hospital. During his visit to the emergency department, he raised concerns over patient care, management and staff presence. Unhappy with the remarks, Casualty In-Charge Dr. Barman reacted arrogantly, referring to manpower shortages and workload. As the DG expressed displeasure, an argument ensued between the two. Hospital Director Brigadier General Md Golam Ferdous, Assistant Director (Administration) Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin Khan, and other administrative officials and doctors were present during the incident. Assistant Director (Administration) Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin Khan said Dr. Barman had a heated conversation with the DG during the inspection over the quality of services. Read more: Sylhet residents endure relentless mosquito invasion amid dengue surge “Dr. Barman was immediately relieved of his duties. Further action will be taken following departmental procedures,” Dr. Main Uddin said.

Detectives have arrested two men with two foreign-made pistols from Dholaipar area in the capital on Friday. The arrestees were identified as Milon Hossain, 39, and Shamil alias Shamil Hossain, 22, said DMP's DC media Talebur Rahman on Saturday afternoon. According to DB-Wari division, a team of detectives conducted an operation around 4:25 pm near the Tungipara bus counter adjacent to the Dholaipar roundabout under Jatrabari Police Station and arrested the duo as they attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle after sensing police presence. Earlier, at around 3:45 pm, detectives stationed near Sayedabad bus stand had received a tip-off that several armed persons were gathering in the area. Teenager ‘beaten to death’ over theft suspicion at Jatrabari Acting on the information, the DB team reached the spot and intercepted the two suspects. A search of their bodies led to the recovery of two foreign-made pistols, hidden at the back of their waists. Police also seized the motorcycle used by them. Legal action against the detainees is underway, officials said.    

Miscreants set fire to Assistant Commissioner (AC-Land) office and Registry office in Magura Sadar by throwing petrol early Saturday. AC (Land) Asma Akter said the perpetrators broke a window at the back of the building and hurled petrol bombs around 3am. The fire engulfed a room on the ground, damaging computers and important land documents, she said. Later firefighters and police managed to bring the blaze under control. Meanwhile, around 4:30am, the attackers set fire to Magura Registry office. Though no documents were burnt two rooms used by deed writers were gutted. Officer-in-charge Md Ayub Ali of Magura Sadar Police Station said bottles containing petrol were recovered and a special drive is underway to identify the culprits. A case has been filed in this regard, he added.

Members of the Bangladesh Army in a drive recovered two pistols and a one-shooter gun from the house of a mason in Khoksa upazila of Kushtia on Thursday night. However, no one could be detained in this connection as the firearms were recovered in an abandoned condition. Being tipped-off, an army team led by Captain Mehedi conducted the raid at the house of mason Sohaq Hosen in Osmanpur Kolpara village of the upazila. During the search, the army personnel recovered two pistols, one shooter gun, bullets, a locally made knife, and a hatchet. Inspector (investigation) Mosharraf Hossain of Khoksa Police Station said on Friday morning that the seized weapons had been handed over to the police station. Legal action will be taken in this regard, he added.

All heavy weapons looted from law enforcement agencies have now been recovered, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Friday. “There is no failure on the government’s part in recovering weapons looted from the police. They are being recovered and will continue to be recovered,” he said. The adviser made the remarks while speaking to journalists at an event organised by the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters at its Purbachal training ground to mark International Volunteer Day. When asked about the exact number of looted weapons still unaccounted for or recovered so far, the adviser said he could not immediately provide the figures. Responding to another query regarding the recent police ordinance, Jahangir Alam said the government enacts laws to serve the people.  “This law has been formulated so that people receive services—this is for the service of the people,” he said. Senior officials of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, representatives of different organisations, and personnel of various ranks attended the event. The adviser mentioned that the Fire Service and Civil Defence is working to build a network of 62,000 volunteers across the country, and has already trained more than 55,000.  He praised the agency’s efforts in advancing this 'timely and essential' initiative. Jahangir Alam said disasters such as earthquakes, major fires, and floods are “difficult to handle by government forces alone,” adding that trained volunteers play a vital supportive role. “For this reason, proper training is essential. Volunteers at all levels must be prepared—especially for disasters like earthquakes. I was pleased to see the exercises demonstrated today. I believe you will be able to perform your duties efficiently when needed," he said. 

A case was filed Thursday over a violent attack on two Customs officials in Chattogram, who were allegedly targeted by criminals for preventing the illegal release of imported goods, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The incident occurred around 10:20am in the CDA Residential Area under Double Mooring Police Station, when three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted a vehicle carrying Md Asaduzzaman Khan, Revenue Officer of the AIR section at Chattogram Customs House, and Assistant Revenue Officer Md Badrul Arefin Bhuiyan. Asaduzzaman Khan lodged the case at Double Mooring Police Station. The attackers reportedly attempted to kill them, striking the car with a machete and kicking in the left-side window while shouting “shoot, shoot.” The officials escaped unharmed by quickly driving toward their office. Authorities believe the attack is linked to several recent enforcement drives by Chattogram Customs House aimed at preventing revenue evasion. Recent seizures include illegally imported poppy seeds and banned sodium cyclamate worth nearly Tk 10 crore, and a consignment of restricted cigarettes valued at around Tk 30 crore back in May. Customs officials also intercepted multiple consignments of cosmetics brought through false declarations, prompting threats from fraud syndicates. On October 5, an anonymous caller threatened one of the two attacked officials over WhatsApp, following the seizure of misdeclared cosmetics, leading to a general diary being filed at Bandar Police Station the next day. The NBR strongly condemned the assault, describing it as a heinous act against officers performing their lawful duties to curb smuggling, preventing tax evasion, and preventing imports through false declarations. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of honest and dedicated officials and urged law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.

The OCs (officers-in-charge) of 50 police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have been transferred and given new postings, in the latest round of reshuffles. Dhaka Metropolitan Police headquarters issued three separate notifications in this regard on Thursday. Read More: Reshuffle in Police Admin: Additional IGP among 82 officers made OSD    

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on all forms of public gatherings in key areas of the capital, including the Bangladesh Secretariat and Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, effective from Saturday. The restriction has been enforced under the Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976, citing the need to maintain public order and safety of the Chief Adviser, said a public notice issued by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali. According to the notice, all types of meetings, assemblies, processions, human chains, sit-ins, and similar activities are strictly prohibited in and around the Bangladesh Secretariat and Jamuna. The areas under the restriction included Hotel InterContinental Crossing, Kakrail Mosque Crossing, Officers Club Crossing, and Mintu Road Crossing. The order will remain valid until further notice. The DMP commissioner urged people to cooperate to help maintain peace and security in the designated areas.

The High Court (HC) on Thursday delivered a split verdict on the legality of the ongoing process to sign an operational agreement between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and a foreign company for running the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The joint bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar issued separate orders. Justice Fatema Najib declared the contract process illegal, while Justice Fatema Anwar ruled an opposite one. Following the split decision, lawyers said the matter will now be sent to the Chief Justice, who will assign another HC bench to settle the issue. Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokan and Barrister Kayser Kamal argued for the writ petitioners. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Additional Attorney General Anik R. Huq represented the state. Container handling at Ctg Port up 9% in Aug-October: CPA Chairman Earlier, on November 25, the court concluded hearings on the rule regarding the legality of the foreign-operator agreement for NCT and set December 4 for delivering the order. On July 30, the HC bench of Justice Md. Habibul Gani and Justice Sheikh Taslim Ali issued a rule asking why the contract process should not be declared beyond legal authority. The bench also questioned why a directive should not be given to ensure fair and competitive public bidding, in line with relevant laws and policies, before appointing any operator for the NCT. Bangladesh Young Economists Forum president Mirza Walid Hossain filed the petition challenging the legality of handing over the terminal to a foreign operator. The shipping secretary, the chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, and the CEO of the Public-Private Partnership Authority were made respondents.