United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has been suspended after the allegations of corruption against him surfaced. The matter of the suspension came to light on Monday, though the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification regarding the action on September 29.   According to sources, the Law Ministry, in consultation with the Supreme Court (SC), approved the magistrate’s suspension after a private television channel aired a report regarding his corruption and misuse of power during his tenure as Dhaka CMM. PIB director suspended over corruption allegations Later, a case has been filed against him under the Bangladesh Supreme Judicial Service Disciplinary Rules for misconduct. Considering the allegations, the authorities decided to suspend him.

Police in a drive arrested eight suspected members of a human trafficking gang from a hotel in Ashulia of Savar on Sunday morning. The arrestees were identified as Maniruzzaman, manager of Hotel Unique, hotel employees—Rabbi Hasan of Gaibandha district, Hridoy of Ashulia, Saidul Islam of Pirojpur district, Shamsul Alam of Bagerhat district, Sonia of Barishal district, Shilpi Akhtar of Naogaon district and Arin Akhtar Shima of South Keraniganj. Tipped off, a team of police conducted a drive at Hotel Unique in Bypile area of Ashulia and arrested them said Abdul Hannan, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station. All of them were produced before a court.

Arguments have started in a case over the Crimes Against Humanity against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and another accused. The hearing started on Sunday before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam began presenting arguments which are being broadcast live with the tribunal’s permission. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the prosecution is presenting its arguments first to be followed by those of the state-appointed defense counsel. The prosecution will then have an opportunity to counter the defense arguments before the case is kept pending for verdict. The tribunal concluded the testimony and cross-examination of 54 witnesses over 28 working days on October 8. Bangladesh Army takes 15 officers into custody On that day, state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain completed his third day of cross-examination of the case’s chief investigating officer, Md Alamgir, who was the 54th and final prosecution witness. Alamgir had testified on September 30 for the third day, presenting various documents and evidence. He told the tribunal that during the July movement, killings took place in 438 locations across 41 districts and lethal weapons were used in over 50 districts. In his earlier testimonies, the investigator presented video footage and reports including one from Jamuna Television depicting the violence and killings during the July-August movement. He also told the court that security forces fired about 305,000 rounds of ammunition on protesters during that period. Testimonies from other witnesses also described widespread atrocities allegedly carried out across the country during the movement holding Hasina, Kamal, and their associates responsible and demanding exemplary punishment. The tribunal formally framed charges against Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun on July 10. The investigation report was submitted to the Chief Prosecutor on May 12 by the tribunal’s investigation agency naming 81 witnesses for the trial.

The Bangladesh Army on Saturday said 15 officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued for alleged involvement in disappearances and crimes against humanity, have been taken into custody. Among them, 14 are serving officers and one is an officer in the LPR, and another officer did not respond to notice, said Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, while briefing reporters at a press conference in Dhaka Cantonment. The press conference focused on cases filed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against military personnel. The ICT on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrests of 30 individuals in two cases of crimes against humanity involving the disappearance and torture of opposition figures during the Awami League regime. Of the 30 accused, 17 face charges related to torture at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell of RAB, and 13 are accused of torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC). Major General Hakimuzzaman said that of the 30 accused, 25 are former and current army officers. Fifteen of the serving officers, including the LPR officer, have been taken into custody, while one officer remains absconding. “The Bangladesh Army also wants a proper trial of crimes against humanity, including disappearances and murders. We want justice and remain uncompromising on fairness and accountability,” he said. But the Army has not yet officially received a copy of the charge sheet. “The officers were taken into custody based on information from the media and social media,” he added. Regarding the absconding officer, Major General Hakimuzzaman identified him as Major General Kabir, who did not respond even after notice. “We are investigating his matter,” he said. He said once the Army receives the charge sheet from the ICT, it will review the details of the alleged crimes and seek the opinions from the authorities concerned to determine how the trial process will proceed.

Two people, including a staff member of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), were detained early Friday with 761 grams of gold bars and ornaments at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The detainees were identified as Md. Kabir Hossain, 53, a boarding bridge operator with CAAB, and Kuddus, 41. Mohammad Mozammel Haque, operational commander of APBN-13, said that around 2:22 am near a gate in departure terminal 1, Kabir was seen handing a small bag over to Kuddus, drawing the attention of nearby passengers. Airport Armed Police (AAP) intervened and questioned the pair, who gave inconsistent and suspicious statements. They were taken to the AAP office, where a search led to the recovery of 761 grams of gold, including four gold bars and various ornaments, hidden in three small bags. During interrogation, they admitted the gold had been smuggled into Bangladesh by unidentified passengers seeking to evade customs. The two reportedly acted as part of a gold smuggling syndicate. A case has been filed against the duo at the Airport police station.

The Bangladesh Army has been conducting professional operations across the country to maintain law and order, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday. According to ISPR, from October 2 to October 9, 2025, various units under different infantry divisions and independent brigades of the Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, carried out joint operations in the capital and several districts. During these operations, a total of 224 individuals were arrested, including thieves, illegal arms holders, police station looters, drug dealers, and drug addicts. Authorities seized 10 illegal firearms, 9 improvised explosive devices (cocktails), 17 rounds of ammunition of various types, domestic and foreign narcotics, private cars, motorcycles, mobile phones, and other stolen items. Army Chief’s remarks distorted by malicious groups: ISPR The arrested individuals were handed over to the relevant police stations after necessary interrogation and legal procedures. The Bangladesh Army continues regular patrols and security operations across the country to ensure public safety and is also actively involved in managing unrest among workers in industrial areas. ISPR confirmed that such operations will continue to maintain overall law and order in the country. The public has been urged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest army camp.      

  The International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and 28 others in two separate cases filed over of enforced disappearances during the Awami League government’s tenure. A three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder accepted the charges and issued arrest warrants. According to tribunal sources, the prosecution filed the charges before the ICT-1 on Wednesday morning. Sheikh Hasina and family members can't vote from abroad: EC official After hearing, the tribunal accepted the charges and ordered the issuance of arrest warrants. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and former RAB Director General M Khurshid Hossain were among the accused. In one case, 17 people including  Hasina and her adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique have been charged with abducting opposition activists and detaining them at the secret Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) cell allegedly run by the Rapid Action Battalion where victims were reportedly tortured. The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity in this case. In the second case, Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Siddique, and 11 others have been charged with detaining victims at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s (DGFI) Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) and torturing them. This case also includes five charges of crimes against humanity and names five former DGFI directors general among the accused.    

Detectives have detained 11 people, including seven leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the deposed Awami League, during an overnight operation in the capital. Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division Muhammad Talebur Rahman on Wednesday said they were held when they arrived in Dhaka from Kotalipara in Gopalganj. Ex-AL MP BM Mozammel Haque arrested in Dhaka According to Talebur Rahman, they were held on charges of attempting to disrupt law and order in the capital and engaging in activities intended to create panic among the public.

For the first time, the Fisheries Department in Naria, Shariatpur, has started using drone technology to monitor hilsa fish during the breeding season. The drones fly over rivers and provide 24-hour surveillance to prevent illegal hilsa fishing, a step seen as a major innovation in fish protection. The 22-day hilsa protection operation began on October 4 and involves the Fisheries Department, River Police, Coast Guard, RAB and other law enforcement agencies. At Padma River’s Sureshwar point, drones continuously monitor river traffic and if any suspicious boat or fisherman is spotted, a speedboat team is immediately sent to inspect. Naria Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Zakir Hossain Mridha said, “This is the first time we are using drones. The technology will help ensure sustainable hilsa production and protect food security for future generations.” Hilsa export to India begins; 1,200mt approved for Durga Puja Authorities stated that hilsa fishing, selling, transport, and storage are completely banned nationwide from October 4 to October 25. During this period, administration and law enforcement remain on high alert to protect breeding hilsa.  

Three members of the river police were injured when extortionists attacked them with spears on the Meghna River in Meghna Upazila, Cumilla. The Chalivanga River Police arrested two young men in connection with the incident. The arrestees were identified as Md. Rana (27), son of Abdul Barek, senior joint convener of Chalivanga Union BNP and brother of Hasanat, joint leader of Meghna Upazila Chhatra Dal; and Sajjad Hossain (18), son of Ruf Mia from Nolchar village. According to police, a local resident called the police, reporting that extortionists were demanding money and assaulting people on the river. When the police arrived, the attackers threw spears at them and injured ASI Maksud, Constable Sohag, and Saidur Rahman. A local resident said that extortionists often demand 5,000–10,000 taka from boats passing through the area and physically abuse those who refuse. BNP to upgrade Cumilla into division if interim govt fails: Mosharraf Chalivanga River Police In-Charge Md. Azmgir Hossain said, “We opened 21 rounds of fire when the attackers threw spears at us. Three officers were injured, but we managed to chase and arrest two of the suspects. Legal action is underway, and we will continue to secure the river.” Earlier, on Monday evening, the River Police arrested Akhtar Hossain (45), cousin of top extortionist Mamun, from Saraswati Char in Titash Upazila during another extortion incident on the Kathalia River.