United News of Bangladesh

A general diary has been filed with Ramna police on Thursday night over the disappearance of senior journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarker. His son, Wreet Sarker, filed the GD night over his father, a 71-year-old journalist, currently employed at the Bangla daily Ajker Patrika, missing since leaving his Siddheshwari residence around 10:00 am. Bibhuranjan left home for office, Wreet said. “But he never reached office. We searched for him in several of his possible destination as well, including parks and hospitals, but couldn’t find him. Finally, we decided to report the matter to the police,” Wreet said. As of 5:00 pm on Friday, Wreet told UNB that his father was still missing. Arup Talukder, sub-inspector of Ramna Police Station, said that their work became a bit difficult for Bibhuranjan left his cell phone behind.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Mirpur Division has arrested seven individuals involved in a honey trap and job fraud scheme. The arrestees are Md. Biplob Khan, 33, Farin Tanha Tofa, 29, Sampa Akhter, 24, Shah Mohammad Jobayer Avik, 23, Md. Al-Masud, 32, Mosha Monika Akhter, 18, and Md. Abu Sufian, 27. They were apprehended on Thursday in the Sheorapara and Tejgaon areas of the capital, said DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects admitted to long-term involvement in defrauding people by offering fake job opportunities and other services through platforms like Facebook, Imo, and Telegram. Many victims reportedly chose not to report the crimes out of fear of social embarrassment, allowing the group to continue its activities undetected for an extended period. Legal proceedings are currently underway against the arrested individuals, said the DMP official.  

The Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, has arrested 56 people during joint operations across the country from August 14 to August 21, as part of its continued efforts to maintain law and order amid the prevailing national situation. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the arrestees include terrorists, illegal arms dealers, robbers, juvenile gang members, extortionists, gamblers, drug dealers, and drug users. The operations were carried out by units under various infantry divisions and independent brigades, including in the capital. During the operations, the army recovered 16 illegal firearms, six hand grenades, 103 rounds of various types of ammunition, two empty cartridges, locally made weapons used in terrorist activities, narcotics, stolen white stones from Sylhet, mobile phones, motorcycles, and cash. All arrestees were handed over to the respective police stations for further interrogation and legal action. The army is also conducting regular patrols and security operations in key areas to ensure public safety, and is actively involved in managing labour unrest in industrial zones. The Bangladesh Army has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such operations to stabilise the overall law and order situation in the country. People are urged to report any suspicious activity to their nearest army camp.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Thursday suspended Deputy Tax Commissioner Lincoln Roy over allegations of causing a massive revenue loss to the government by issuing unlawful tax orders. According to an official order, while serving as Deputy Tax Commissioner at Tax Zone-5, Dhaka, Roy allegedly created new tax demands by issuing fresh assessment orders (IT-39) and tax determination orders (IT-88) for Dhamsur Economic Zone Ltd. for the assessment years 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. The move allegedly resulted in a revenue loss of Tk 146.57 crore to the government. The orders had earlier been settled by his predecessor Deputy Tax Commissioner Jane Alam. Following the findings, the authorities decided to initiate departmental proceedings against Roy. In line with Rule 12(1) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, Lincoln Roy, currently posted at the Tax at Source Management Unit in Dhaka, has been suspended from service. During the suspension period, he will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per rules. The suspension order, issued in public interest, has come into immediate effect.

At a time when the ‘Sada Pathor’ looting scam has drawn widespread attention, renowned magistrate Md Sarwar Alam has officially assumed office as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet. Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Khan Md Reza-Un-Nabi welcomed him upon arrival at the DC office on Thursday morning. Later, the new DC presided over a workshop session on ‘Public Procurement Code and Conduct’, with the divisional commissioner and senior officials attending it. Earlier, on Wednesday evening, magistrate Sarwar, who was also the personal secretary to Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul, arrived at Osmani International Airport, Sylhet where a delegation from the district administration received him. On August 18, previous DC Sher Md Mahbub Murad was made officer-on-special Duty (OSD) amid severe criticism over the stone plundering. 137 named in Sylhet ‘Sada Pathor’ looting; 10 recommendations to stop recurrence On the same day, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notice appointing Sarwar as the new DC. On Wednesday, a committee formed to investigate the looting of stones from Bholaganj  in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district, submitted its report, naming the involvement of 137 people and proposing 10 recommendations to prevent future looting.

The Appellate Division has set September 4 to deliver the final verdict on a petition filed challenging a High Court (HC) order that acquitted all convicts, including BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, in the sensational August 21 grenade attack case. A six-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, on Thursday fixed the date upon completion of appeal hearing. On December 1 last year, the HC overturned the verdict of a lower court in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack, acquitting all convicts, including BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar.   On March 19, the state filed an appeal against the HC verdict in the 21st August grenade attack case. On July 31, the SC set August 13 to hear the petition filed challenging the HC order. Grenade Attack Case: SC fixes Aug 13 to hear appeals againat acquittal of Tarique For the past few days, the court heard the petition and finally set September 4 to deliver the verdict. The grenade attack, a shocking incident, occurred on Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004. On October 10, 2018, a speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka issued a verdict in one of the cases (pertaining to murder and explosives). The tribunal sentenced 19 accused, including former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and former deputy education minister Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Grenade Attack Case: SC adjourns appeal hearing against acquittal of Tarique, Babar Besides, 19 others, including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, were handed life imprisonment sentences, while 11 accused received various terms of imprisonment and fines. The judgment was subsequently transferred to the HC in 2018, registered as a death reference case.

Thieves have stolen Tk 2.25 lakh from national team footballer Mosammet Sagorika’s house at Rangatungi village in Ranisankail upazila of  Thakurgaon district. The theft occurred on August 14th night when Sagorika was in Dhaka and her parents were in an adjacent mud house but the matter was disclosed on Wednesday. Her father Md Liton Ali said police were informed and visited the house.  “I never thought my daughter’s hard-earned money would be stolen like this,” he said. Sagorika said that she did not immediately inform the media out of embarrassment but informed Thakurgaon DC who advised filing a police complaint. “They have taken my money, but not my fortune. I can earn again if I stay healthy but my family now feels insecure,” she added. Arshadul Haque, officer-in-charge of Ranisankail Police Station, said legal action will be taken.

The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division on Wednesday stayed HC order granting bail to sub-inspector of Jatrabari Police Station Sazzad Uz Zaman in connection with the murder of Imam Hasan Taim during the July uprising. The chamber judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the state. It also asked the SI Sazzad to surrender before the court the soonest. Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque represented the state. Spirit of July Uprising fading amid govt missteps: Saiful Haque Earlier on May 20, the High Court granted bail to SI Sazzad in the case. Later, he was freed from jail on bail. On July 19, the family members of July martyrs and injured victims staged demonstration in front of the Secretariat demanding re-arrest of SI Sazzad. They also demanded resignation of Law adviser Asif Nazrul and two justices of the High Court who granted bail to Sazzad.

AFM Shahinul Islam, head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), will remain on mandatory leave as an investigation against him goes on. The move comes after a controversial video of him went viral on social media. Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury confirmed the decision today, stating that Shahinul Islam's forced leave, as ordered by the governor, remains in effect. “The BFIU chief's appointment is handled by the Financial Institutions Division. So, they will decide whether he stays or not," said Chowdhury. However, the governor's directive for leave will remain valid and action will be taken against him pending the investigation, he said. The controversy began when a controversial video of Shahinul Islam was circulated on social media on Monday, showing him sending explicit content to a woman. Shahinul, however, claims the clip was generated using artificial intelligence. BFIU chief faces Bangladesh Bank probe over controversial viral videos In response, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur ordered him to be sent on mandatory leave on Tuesday. Despite this clear directive, Shahinul Islam reported to work at the central bank today (Wednesday), sparking tension and internal conflict. On Tuesday, a group of central bank officials had submitted a memorandum to the governor, requesting that he be immediately placed on forced leave. Meanwhile, the central bank’s fact-checking investigation team has found evidence supporting allegations involving a controversial sexual video linked to BFIU chief Shahinul Islam.

A case has been filed in connection with the illegal extraction of stone from Jaflong, a popular tourist destination located in the ecologically critical area (ECA) of Gowainghat Upazila in Sylhet. Union land officer Monayem Hossain lodged the case at Gowainghat Police Station on Monday night (18 August), said Tofail Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gowainghat Police Station. "No specific names were mentioned in the case and police are yet to make any arrest," said OC Tofail. Sylhet DC removed amid stone scam The Mineral Resources Bureau has also filed a case last week accusing nearly 2,000 unnamed people. Reports indicate that open looting of sand and stone has been taking place in the Jaflong ECA since 5 August last year. While the Department of Environment previously filed a case against those involved, progress on that case has stalled for reasons yet to be clarified. Local BNP leaders Shah Alam Swapan and Rafiqul Islam Shahparan have been expelled from the party following allegations of their involvement in connection with the looting. Local administration involved in Bholaganj stone looting: Rizwana Hasan Sources said internal clashes have erupted between rival groups over the control of Jaflong stone and sand syndicate. Despite the infighting, they said, illegal extraction activities have continued unabated, with local leaders reportedly earning lakhs of taka every day from the illicit operations. Meanwhile, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad has been made an officer on special duty (OSD) following allegations of administrative involvement in the stone looting incident in Bholaganj. A notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday.