United News of Bangladesh

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized Indian smuggled goods worth BDT 1.61 crore and detained one person in multiple drives across Sylhet borders on Thursday. According to Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB), the operations were conducted in the border areas of Protapur, Sripur, Tamabil, Bichnakandi, Kalairag and Banglabazar. The seized items include illegal sarees, fuchka, cumin, cows, body lotion, tomatoes, blankets, onions, bidis, apples, olive oil, soap, sugar, oranges, ginger, raw turmeric, and liquor. A pickup van used for smuggling was also seized during the drives. Injured BGB personnel airlifted to Dhaka CMH Lt Col Md Nazmul Haque, commanding officer of the 48 BGB Battalion in Sylhet, said that the BGB’s operations and intelligence activities along the borders will continue to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. “All seized items will be handed over to the authorities concerned following due procedures,” he added.  

The High Court on Thursday granted the high-level taskforce a final six months to complete the investigation into the 2012 murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. The HC bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order and asked the taskforce to submit the probe report within the extended period. Advocate Shishir Monir appeared for the victims’ family, while Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rahman Rauf represented the state. Expressing frustration over the prolonged delay, the HC bench said, “Thirteen years have passed since the murder of Sagar and Runi. The investigation is still incomplete. How many more years will it take?” The judges further said two people were murdered — yet who killed them is still unknown. Addressing PBI officer Azizul Haque, who appeared on behalf of the taskforce, the court asked, “Tell us what percentage of the investigation has been completed. We cannot grant more time. This is the last six months.” Advocate Shishir Monir told the court that they face public pressure due to the prolonged delay adding, “Everyone asks when the investigation will be completed.” He said that the investigation should be done during this interim government. “Once a political government takes over after the elections in February, the probe may face further delay.” Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rahman Rauf told the court that progress has been made and a progress report has already been submitted to the registrar’s office. “Hopefully, the investigation report can be submitted within the final time,” he added. Earlier on September 30, the HC asked the government to form a high-powered taskforce to probe the murder case and submit a report within six months. Following the court order, the current interim government formed a high-powered tas force on October 23 last year led by the chief of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Sagar, a news editor at private television channel Maasranga TV, and Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered in their rented apartment in Dhaka’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012. Their four-and-a-half-year-old son Mahir Sarowar Megh was present in the house at the time of the murder. Runi’s brother, Naosher Alam, filed the murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station following the murders. Initially, police handled the investigation, but after four days, it was transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). DB admitted its failure before the High Court on April 18, 2012, after 62 days of investigation. The case was subsequently assigned to RAB.  

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set November 13 for announcing the date of delivering  verdict in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and another accused over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August movement. After five days of arguments by the prosecution and three days by the defence, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder set the date on Thursday. The other two members of the bench are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Justice Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. In this much-discussed case, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on five charges of crimes against humanity while state-appointed defence lawyers pleaded for their acquittal. The defence counsel for state witness and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun also sought his acquittal. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam responded to several points raised by the defence while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, as the state’s chief legal officer, urged the tribunal to ensure justice through the highest punishment for the accused. ICT orders 15 army officers be sent to jail in crimes against humanity cases Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi SH Tamim led the arguments for the prosecution, supported by prosecutors BM Sultan Mahmud, Shaikh Mahdi, and Abdus Sattar Palowan, among others. On the defence side, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal while lawyer Zayed Bin Amzad appeared for state witness Abdullah Al-Mamun. Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed testified in the case, along with key witnesses including Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. In total, 54 witnesses testified in the trial. According to the charges, the then Awami League government, along with its party leaders, loyal administrators, and members of law enforcement agencies, committed crimes against humanity to suppress the student-led July–August uprising. Two international crimes tribunals are currently trying these allegations. On July 10, the tribunal formally indicted Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, beginning the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun turned state witness and gave testimony revealing details of the incidents. ICT chief prosecutor seeks death penalty for Hasina, Kamal The prosecution submitted an 8,747-page formal charge, including 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages containing the list of victims. A total of 81 witnesses were named in the charge sheet. The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution on May 12. Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power and another over the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.  

A 20-year-old youth was killed in an explosion during a clash between two groups at Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Md Zahid, son of late Md Imran of the camp. He was the youngest among seven siblings and worked at a mobile servicing shop in Kalyanpur. According to Zahid’s friend Aftab Hossain, a clash broke out between two groups inside the camp around 3:30 am. Zahid went out of his house to see what was happening when a crude bomb exploded near his feet, leaving him critically injured. He was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where physicians declared him dead around 4:45 am, Aftab said. Cocktail explosion in Geneva Camp leaves woman injured  Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH Police Camp outpost, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy, and the police station concerned has been informed. Clashes between drug-dealing groups are frequent in the camp. Over the past few days, sporadic fighting and gunfire have been reported between the ‘Buniya Sohel group’ and the ‘Pichchi Raja–Chuya Selim group.’ Two days earlier, army personnel detained several people and seized 32 crude bombs from the camp.

A local BNP leader was killed and four others injured in an attack allegedly carried out by rivals in Savar on Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Abu Sayeed, 52, assistant office secretary of ward no. 4 under Bongga Union BNP. locals said a longstanding conflict had been brewing between Bongga Union BNP’s organising secretary, Jahir Uddin Babul, and local resident Zakir Hossain over political and personal disputes. Recently, Zakir and his associates allegedly attacked Babul, leaving him critically injured. After receiving treatment at a hospital for several days, Babul returned home on Wednesday. His return reportedly reignited tensions in the area, prompting Savar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jewel Mia and a police team to visit the spot in the evening. They spoke to both sides and urged them to maintain peace. However, around 9pm, as Babul and about 10–12 of his supporters were returning home from Konda Bazar, they were ambushed in front of Zakir’s club. Several people were severely injured in the attack. They were rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where doctors declared Abu Sayeed dead. Babul and three others were admitted to the ICU in critical condition. OC Jewel Mia confirmed the incident and said police are conducting drives to arrest the attackers.

The Detective Branch (DB) of the Motijheel Division under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested three drug traffickers with 50 kilograms of marijuana from the Arambagh area of the capital. The arrestees are Akir Mia Rakib, 28, Mehedi Hasan alias Hasan, 22, and Md. Mamun Mia ,45. Police also seized a covered van used to transport the drugs. Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP, said the arrests were made around 1:50 pm during a raid in front of Notre Dame College, under the jurisdiction of Motijheel Police Station. He said Akir Mia Rakib has two previous cases filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act in Cumilla district. The group had reportedly been sourcing marijuana from border areas in Cumilla and distributing it across different parts of Dhaka city. During initial interrogation, the accused admitted that the seized marijuana was in their possession and intended for sale.

A youth has been arrested for sexually assaulting the body of a 20-year-old woman on Wednesday, sparking outrage across the district. The accused, Abu Sayeed, 19, from Khondokpara village in Haluaghat upazila, worked as a body carrier for Haluaghat Police Station. The incident took place around 1:30 pm on October 20 inside the hospital morgue. According to police, the victim had died by suicide a day earlier in Haluaghat’s Ghoshber area, and her body was sent for autopsy by Sayeed. Taking advantage of the absence of the victim’s relatives, Sayeed allegedly raped the deceased inside the morgue. Later, a forensic doctor, Dr. ANM  Al Mamun, informed police after finding evidence of fresh semen in the victim’s body during examination. Following the report, Sub-Inspector Jamal Mia of Haluaghat Police Station launched an investigation on secret intel and detained Sayeed on October 21 from the Pathagar Mor area of Haluaghat municipality. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime. He was sent to Mymensingh Central Jail on Wednesday following his court appearance. Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, Shibirul Islam, said, “A case has been filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Jamal Mia filed the case as plaintiff, naming the accused, Abu Sayeed.”

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed three separate cases against former Tongi sub-registrar Md. Nurul Amin Talukdar, his wife Nurunnahar Khanam, and their daughter Zinat Talukdar accusing them of amassing Tk 11.55 crore and being involved in suspicious financial transactions worth around Tk 32 crore. The cases were filed on Tuesday at the ACC’s Tangail Integrated District Office, Deputy Director Md. Akhtarul Islam told UNB. According to the case statements, Nurul Amin Talukdar concealed information about assets worth TK 1.03 crore in his wealth statement. ACC files case against Hasina's cousin Hasnat Abdullah He also abused his official power and acquired TK 41.43 lakh in assets beyond his known sources of income, keeping those under his possession. Besides, his wife Nurunnahar Khanam allegedly concealed information of assets worth about Tk 5.17 crore  and provided false information in her wealth statement. The ACC alleges that these assets were obtained with her husband’s illegally earned money. Their daughter Zinat Talukdar has also been accused of possessing TK 1.84 crore in illegal assets. During the investigation, the ACC found that Nurunnahar Khanam maintained 23 bank accounts through which about TK 30 crore suspicious transactions took place. Besides, she operated five bank accounts that saw around Tk 1.74 crore in suspicious financial transactions. Nurul Amin Talukdar has been made an accused in all three cases. The cases were filed under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and section 109 of the Penal Code.    

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday ordered that 15 army officers accused in three separate cases over enforced disappearances, killings, and other crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League regime be sent to jail after being shown arrested. A three-member panel, headed by ICT-1 Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after hearing a petition. Two other members are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury. The accused officers, held in custody over allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s regime, were brought to the tribunal amid strict security around 7:15 am. They appealed for bail but the tribunal rejected their petitions and ordered their detention in jail. Among those sent to prison are former Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Additional Director General Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam, Brig Gen Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brig Gen Md Kamrul Hasan, Brig Gen Md Mahbub Alam, Brig Gen K.M. Azad, Col Abdullah Al Momen and Col Anwar Latif Khan (now on retirement leave). Jamaat Ameer appreciates move to try army officers linked to enforced disappearances, killings Others include ex-Rab intelligence wing officials Lt Col Md Mashiur Rahman, Lt Col Saiful Islam Sumon, Lt Col Sarwar Bin Kashem, Lt Col Mohammad Redwanul Islam, and former Borger Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officer Maj Md Rafat-bin-Alam. The tribunal also ordered the imprisonment of three former DGFI directors -Maj Gen Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Brig Gen Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Brig Gen Ahmed Tanvir Majahar Siddiqui. Earlier in the morning, the accused were produced before the ICT in connection with the three cases. According to the prosecution, 34 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have been named as accused in the three cases. One case names 17 accused, another 13 and the third four. Retired army officers demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators of BDR massacre Hasina has been named in two of the cases. Among the 25 army officers charged, 15 are currently in custody. Security was tightened in the capital from early morning with police, Rab, BGB, and army personnel stationed around Kakrail, Matsya Bhaban, Paltan and the High Court’s Mazargate area. The first case involves allegations that opposition figures were abducted and secretly detained and tortured inside the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell operated by Rab during the Awami League’s tenure. In the case, the formal charges naming Hasina and 16 others were submitted on October 8. The second case was filed against Hasina, and 12 others over enforced disappearances allegedly carried out at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), also known as the “Aynaghar.” The third case accuses four officers, including BGB’s Lt Col Redwanul Islam, of crimes against humanity for the killing of 28 people during the July-August movement in Rampura. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented the charges before the tribunal and requested that they be accepted for trial. After a preliminary hearing, the tribunal issued arrest warrants and ordered the accused to appear by today (October 22).

Four courts in Dhaka on Tuesday recorded the confessional statements of three arrestees in connection with the sensational murder of Jagannath University (JnU) student Md Zobeyed Hossain, who was also a Chhatra Dal leader of the university unit. The arrestees are the victim’s student Barjis Shabnam Barsha, her boyfriend Md Mahir Rahman and their friend Fardin Ahmed Aynal. Of them, Mahir gave his statement before Magistrate Mehedi Hasan, Barsha before Magistrate Masum Mia, and Aynal before Magistrate Md Jewel Rana. Meanwhile, Mahir’s friend Pritom Das also testified in the case before another court, said Omar Farooque, the public prosecutor. The courts recorded the statements under Section 164 and ordered that the accused be sent to jail, he added. Mother hands over son suspected in JnU student murder to police Earlier, police produced the arrestees before the court amid protests by JnU students and others demanding justice for the slain student. According to court sources, sub-inspector Md Ashraf Hossain, the investigation officer (IO) of the case, appealed to the court to record the arrestees’ statements as they had admitted their involvement in the murder and agreed to confess. On Tuesday morning, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Nazrul Islam briefed the media about the murder at the DMP Media Centre. Earlier, on Sunday afternoon, Zobayed was killed in a building on Noor Box Lane in Armanitola of Old Dhaka when he went to tutor Barsha. He was attacked with a sharp weapon and had his throat slit by Mahir and his friend with Barsha’s help. Suspect Mahir surrenders over JnU student murder Following the murder, police took Barsha into custody and later arrested Mahir and Aynal from Keraniganj and Shantinagar areas. Zobayed’s elder brother, Enayet Hossain Shoikat, filed a case with Bangshal Police Station on Monday morning. The trio were named in the case, while four to five others remain unidentified. CCTV footage and local sources suggested that the attack was carried out in a planned manner.