United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court on Monday again allowed more time for investigation and fixed September 14 for submission of the probe report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. With this, the deadline for submission of the probe report in the case was deferred for the 120th time. Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was supposed to submit the report today but as it failed to submit it Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhazur Rahman fixed the fresh date for the submission. On March 2, 2021, RAB submitted a progress report in the Sagar-Runi murder case in affidavit form to the Attorney General’s Office. According to the report, two unidentified people were involved in the murder. Taskforce gets 6 more months to probe Sagar-Runi murder case On 11 February 2012, Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi were found dead at their rented apartment in the city’s West Rajabazar area Nousher Ali Roman, brother of Runi, filed a case with Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station on the following day. Police arrested Tanvir Rahman in connection with the murder case on October 1, 2012. Later, he secured bail in 2014. Law enforcers have so far arrested eight people, including Tanvir, in connection with the murder case. The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal.

Testimony recording has begun in three separate corruption cases against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in the capital’s Purbachal New Town Project. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated these cases, and testimony commenced on Monday at Dhaka’s Special Judge's Court-5. Tariqul Islam Tariq, public prosecutor (PP) of Anti-corruption Commission,  said three plaintiffs — ACC Assistant Directors Salauddin, SM Rashedul Hasan, and Afnan Jannat Keya — testified before Judge Abdullah Al Mamun. On July 31, two special judges’ courts in Dhaka formally framed charges in six corruption cases filed by the ACC against Sheikh Hasina and 23 others — including close family members and former government officials — for allegedly abusing their power in the allotment of plots in the capital’s Purbachal area. Of these six cases, Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Court-5 scheduled three for testimony on August 11, while Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Special Judge’s Court-4 set August 13 for the remaining three. Due to the accused being absent, the courts were unable to read out the charges directly. Notices had earlier been issued in newspapers, summoning the accused to appear in court. In addition to Sheikh Hasina, the accused family members include her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s children — Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq, and Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby). The remaining 16 accused are former and current public officials, including Sharif Ahmed, then State Minister for Housing and Public Works; Shahid Ullah Khandaker, then Secretary of Public Works; and Anisur Rahman Mia, former RAJUK Chairman, among others. ACC PP Khan Md Mainul Hossain said that RAJUK plot allocation rules only permit individuals without existing land, homes, or vehicles in Dhaka to apply. However, members of Sheikh Hasina’s family allegedly submitted false affidavits claiming they owned no such assets, despite ACC investigations revealing otherwise. According to the prosecution, the accused misused their influence to unlawfully acquire a 60-katha plot in Purbachal, constituting a criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and fraud — offenses that could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said that public notices were recently published, summoning the accused to appear in court. Following this, the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court transferred the six cases to two special courts for trial. The ACC launched its investigation on December 26, 2024, and approved the charge sheets on March 10, 2025, after concluding that plots were allocated unlawfully through collusion and administrative malpractice in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities concerned of Delta Medical College and Hospital should not be asked to provide Tk 5 crore as compensation to the family of a 5-day old infant for breaking her hand from elbow. The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Sayed Jahed Mansur issued the rule after hearing a writ petition. The HC also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why punitive action should not be taken against those involved in the negligence of duty in ensuring treatment. The HC also asked the authorities concerned to form a probe body to look into the allegation brought over breaking down the hand of the infant and submit a report within three months. Barrister Md Shafiqul Islam stood for the petitioner. Two high court judges promoted to the appellate division Md Nurer Safah, father of the infant, filed a writ petition seeking Tk 5 crore as compensation after bringing an allegation that the hand of her child was broken by the authorities concerned of Delta Hospital and Medical College which is a sheer negligence of duty on the part of the authorities. On April 3, Nuer Safah, a resident of Mirpur area admitted her seven-day-old infant to Delta Medical College and Hospital under the supervision of Dr AK Khairul Anam Chowdhury due to sickness. During admission, the hospital authorities allowed the mother of the child to breastfeed 2-3 times a day and collect milk from the baby’s mother for the rest of the time. They also did not allow anyone to the child from 12 am till 7 am. A five-member probe body was formed by the hospital authorities in this regard. On the following day, a duty nurse told the mother that the baby will be released as the bilirubin level of the baby improved. They also asked her to clear the bill for the hospital. When discharging the baby, the hospital authorities warned the parents of the baby to move the right hand of the baby scarcely as the baby experienced pain there due to setting up of canola. During the stay at the hospital, the baby was asleep most of the time and at the discharge time, the baby was sleeping. After taking her home, the parents of the baby noticed that the right hand of the baby was broken from above the elbow. Later, they rushed to the hospital again but they allegedly ignored the matter.

The High Court (HC) has granted bail to actress Shomi Kaiser in a case over attempted murder during the July uprising in Uttara of Dhaka. An HC bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Jabid Hossain passed the order after hearing a petition for bail on Sunday. But the matter of granting bail was disclosed on Monday. According to the case statement, pro-Awami League people opened fire when Tongi Government College student Jubayer Hasan Yusuf and others were staging demonstrations in Azampur area under Uttara Purbo Police Station on August 4, 2024. Jubayer sustained bullet injuries in his neck and was admitted to a hospital. Later on August 22, he filed a case naming 11 people and 150 to 200 unnamed others with the police station concerned.  Shomi Kaiser was an accused in the case. HC grants bail to Shomi Kaiser On November 5 last, the law enforcers detained her from residence in Uttara Sector-4 and next day she was shown arrested in the case. On December 8, the HC granted her bail for three months in another case but on December 12 the Appellate Division stayed the HC order.

Over 80,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed during the upcoming national election, said Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Besides, members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other forces will also be deployed to ensure security, he said at a press briefing after inspecting the polling center at Teghoria High School in Keraniganj (Dhaka-3 parliamentary constituency).  The Home Affairs Adviser said that whereas previously two Ansar members were assigned to each polling station an additional armed Ansar member will remain deployed to enhance the security of the presiding officers. National election in first half of February: CEC To ensure peaceful elections we are taking all necessary preparations, he said. The adviser said holding a peaceful election depends on various factors including the participation and cooperation of political parties, the Election Commission, the administration, law enforcement agencies, and above all the people. Without their support, it will be difficult to hold the election in a peaceful and fair manner, he said. The adviser also said the visit of the poling centre is aimed to explore the possibility of setting up separate booths in the next election for young voters who could not vote in the last three elections as well as separate booths for male and female voters. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently announced that the 13th national parliamentary election will be held in February before Ramadan.

A journalist of a local newspaper was seriously injured in an attack allegedly over a previous enmity in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia district early Monday. The injured is Firoz Ahmed, Mirpur upazila correspondent of local daily ‘Daink Ajker Sutropat,’ and joint general secretary of Upazila Press Club. Locals and family members said Foroz’s grandson and a child, son of neighbour Milon, locked into a scuffle while playing in BGB Sector Para of the upazila a few days back. Later, both families locked into an altercation over the matter. In the early morning, Milon and four to five others allegedly attacked Firoz with hammers, rods and bricks on his way to the mosque to offer Fajr namaz. Gazipur Journalist Murder: Seven under arrest, remanded for 2 days each Hearing the victim’s screams, locals rushed to him and took initially to Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Kushtia General Hospital. Dr Hossain Imam, resident medical officer of the hospital, said Firoz sustained severe injuries on his head and legs. Shortly after the incident, the accused and his family went into hiding. Officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station Mominul Islam said they visited the spot soon after knowing the matter. “Though we are yet to receive any written complaint we are working to bring the accused to justice after investigating the matter,” he added.

A case was filed accusing 700 unnamed people in connection with the lynching of two people on theft charge in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur district on Saturday night. Bharati Rani, wife of victim Ruplal, filed the case with Taraganj Police Station on Sunday, said officer-in-charge MA Faruk. Protesting the deaths, locals blocked Rangpur-Dinajpur highway on Sunday evening. They left the highway upon local administration’s  assurance over ensuring justice. On Saturday night, Ruplal Das, 40, of Ghanirampur and his son-in-law Pradeep Das (husband of his niece), 35, were killed in a lynch-mob attack on charges of stealing a van in Burihat Bottala under Taraganj upazila. Quoting family members, police said Ruplal along with Pradeep, husband of Ruplal’s niece, went to Ghanirampur village to see a prospective groom for his daughter on Saturday night by a van. When they reached Bottala on Taraganj-Kazirhat road, locals confronted them as suspected van lifters. Man, son-in-law lynched over theft charges in Rangpur In a bizarre coincidence two local van pullers named Alamgir Hossain of Pasharipara village and Mehedi Hasan of Burirhat fell sick and got unconscious, deepening suspicion among local people as they believed the van was stolen after the owner was made unconscious through toxic elements. Later, local people beat them up mercilessly, leaving both injured. They were first taken to Taraganj Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared Ruplal dead around 12 am. Pradeep was taken to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early Sunday.

The government has sent nine unarmed police inspectors, who had served as officers-in-charge (OC) of various police stations during the tenure of the previous government, into forced retirement. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a notification to this end on Sunday. Reward to be offered for information on looted police arms: Home Adviser The now retired officers are Inspectors Sikder Md Shamim Hossain (APBN-4, Bogura), Abdul Latif (CID Control Room), SM Kamruzzaman (Narayanganj District Reserve Office), A. Kuddus Fakir (CID, Narsingdi), Mamun Or Rashid (Munshiganj and Padma Bridge Zone, Tourist Police), Nurul Islam (CID, Moulvibazar), Md Kamal Hossain (Jamuna Bridge-East Naval Outpost, Naval Police), Md Selimuzzaman (Kulaura Railway Police Station), and Abu Bakar Siddique (Madhupur Circle Office, Tangail). The retirements were executed under Section 45 of the Government Service Act, which allows the government to send any public servant who has 25 years of service under their belt into retirement without stating any reason, if deemed necessary in the public interest. Army seizes large cache of sharp weapons from New Market According to the notification, the officers will receive retirement benefits as per existing regulations. The order has been described as being made in the public interest, and takes effect immediately.

The government will reward those who will provide information about firearms looted from police during the July-August mass uprising, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday. The adviser disclosed this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting of the core committee on law and order. “We are issuing a circular to recover the arms that were lost. We will also announce a reward. A committee will decide within the next couple of days how much we can offer…we will make the announcement through the media. Anyone providing credible information will receive the reward,” Jahangir Alam said. More than 700 of the looted police firearms remain untraced, he added. 92 arrested, 216 looted arms recovered from Sept 4 to Sept 25: Police HQ After the fall of Awami League government in a mass uprising, police said 5,750 firearms and 651,609 rounds of ammunition were looted from various police stations, outposts and other installations. The seized arms and ammunition included rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), light machine guns (LMGs), pistols, shotguns, gas guns, tear gas launchers, tear gas shells, tear gas sprays, sound grenades and bullets. A joint operation to recover the stolen arms and ammunition began on September 4 last year.

Army personnel have recovered a large stockpile of sharp weapons, including so-called 'samurai' chapatis, from several shops in the capital’s New Market area during raids. The operation was carried out based on information extracted from recently arrested criminals, said Lieutenant Colonel Nazim Ahmed, Commander of the elite “Daring Tigers” unit, during a press briefing at the Suhrawardy Medical Camp of the Mohammadpur Army on Saturday night. "More than 1,100 sharp weapons have been recovered from the ground floor of the market. Several boxes remain unopened, and the counting process is ongoing. The final number will be disclosed once the count is complete," he said. The recovered weapons will be handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) of police for further examination and legal action. Several shop owners and employees have been detained, though their names are being withheld for the sake of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are also investigating whether there is any link between the arrested businessmen and criminal groups. In response to a question, the army official said it is still unclear whether the seized weapons were locally produced or imported. "Further forensic examination will help determine their origin," he added. Lt. Col. Nazim also urged traders to stop selling sharp weapons like 'samurai' chapatis. While some people collect them as decorative items, they are increasingly being used by criminal gangs, especially teenage groups, to carry out attacks. This dangerous trend must end, he said. He appealed to the general public to support the effort to curb teen-gang violence. “The rise in teen-gang activity must be stopped, and InshaAllah, we will stop it. If anyone knows of illegal weapons trading in their area, they should immediately report it to the nearest army or police camp.” The army commander reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring internal security: “The Bangladesh Army remains fully prepared to maintain law and order. We are working tirelessly to ensure that no group can destabilise the country. We count on your continued support.”