United News of Bangladesh

Police on Tuesday pressed charges implicating 38 accused, including ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the sensational murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif. Assistant Commission (AC-Kotwali Zone) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and investigation officer of the case Mahfuzur Rahman submitted the chargesheet. He said three of the 31 accused named in the case were excluded from the chargesheet as their affiliation to the murder was not found. He, however, said names of 10 more accused were added to the chargesheet as their involvement was found during the investigation, totalling the number of implicated accused to 38. Assistant Public Prosecutor of the court Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury said a hearing regarding the acceptance of the chargesheet will be held on Wednesday. Prime suspect in lawyer Alif murder case arrested from Kishoreganj According to the chargesheet, Alif was deliberately killed as part of a conspiracy to create unrest in the country. Twenty out of the indicted accused have so far been arrested, with Chandan Das, Rajib Bhattacharya, and Ripon Das giving confessional statements under section 164 in court. The remaining 18 are still at large. On November 26 last, tensions spread on Chattogram court premises when followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying the ISKCON leader after his bail prayer was rejected by a court in the sedition case. Lawyer Alif was stabbed to death during a clash between law enforcers and Chinmoy’s supporters over the matter on the court premises. SCBA, Lawyers' Rights Council demand ban on ISKCON, justice for lawyer Alif On November 29 last, the victim’s father Jamal Uddin filed a case naming 31 accused and 15 to 16 unnamed others with the Kotwali Police Station. The identified accused are residents of Chandgaon, Mohora and Bundle Sebak Colony of the city.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday issued warrants for the arrest of 26 people, including Begum Rokeya University’s former Vice Chancellor Hasibur Rashid, in the Abu Sayed murder case. The three-member tribunal, headed by its Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order after taking the charges against 30 accused into cognisance. The formal charges were submitted to the tribunal in the morning. Chief Prosecutor Advocate Md Tajul Islam read out the charges. Abu Sayed murder: ICT finds evidence against 30 people Former Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Moniruzzaman is also among those facing the arrest warrant, said sources at the court. Four accused -- former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, former assistant sub-inspector of police Amir Hossain, police constable Sujan Chandra Roy and Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury -- are currently behind bars in the case. Earlier on June 24, the investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution along with the weapon used in the sensational murder. Abu Sayed murder: ICT orders completing investigation within 2 months According to the report, a total of 30 people were involved in the killing of Abu Sayed during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in 2024. Abu Sayed was shot dead on July 16 last year in front of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mor in Rangpur.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday launched a probe against six senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on charges of corruption, abuse of power and nepotism in facilitating illegal benefits for individuals and institutions over the past two decades. ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain disclosed the development at a press briefing held at the Commission's headquarters in the capital’s Segunbagicha. The six officials under investigation are: AKM Badiul Alam, Member (Income Tax Policy); Mirza Ashiq Rana, Additional Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-8, Dhaka; Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan, Joint Tax Commissioner, BCS Tax Academy; Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita, Deputy Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-16, Dhaka; Hasan Tarek Rikabdar, Additional Commissioner, Audit, Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, VAT, Dhaka; and Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (South). Among them, Hasan Tarek serves as the president of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad, which is currently leading a movement seeking structural reform of the board instead of its dissolution. When asked if the inquiry was linked to the officials’ involvement in the ongoing protest, the ACC official said there was no connection. Will be compelled to be tough if agitation continues: Govt to NBR protesters He said the investigation is based on specific allegations and the recommendation of the preliminary scrutiny committee that reviewed complaints submitted to the Commission. Hasan Tarek said the officials are accused of enabling tax evasion, providing undue tax benefits, and engaging in corrupt practices across various postings over the last 15–20 years. “They abused their positions to assist individuals and institutions in evading duties, VAT and income taxes. In return, they received personal financial benefits, causing significant revenue losses to the state,” he said. According to the ACC, the officials allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for reducing tax liabilities and, in some cases, filed false cases against business owners when demands for bribes were not met. Akhtar further said that there are reports that tax refunds were deliberately delayed, and taxpayers were compelled to offer bribes or gifts—sometimes amounting to half the refundable amount—to receive the dues. He warned that if further allegations surface against others, those will also be brought under investigation. “The Commission will not spare anyone involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their rank or position,” the ACC official said.

Thirteen senior police officers have been suspended from service for remaining absent from their workplaces for extended periods. Separate notifications were recently issued by the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry regarding the suspensions. During their suspension period, they will be entitled to subsistence allowance. The orders were issued in the public interest, the notification added. 5 OCs among 8 police officials transferred in Brahmanbaria Among the suspended officers are three Superintendents of Police (SP), eight Additional Superintendents of Police, and two Assistant Superintendents of Police. It is understood that they have not returned to work after the political changeover of August 5, last year. The suspended officers are: Masudur Rahman Monir, Additional SP and Acting Company Commander of RAB-8 Barishal; former Additional Deputy Commissioner of DMP S.M. Shamim; Rubaiyat Zaman, Additional SP at In-Service Training Centre, Sunamganj; Mohammad Imrul, ASP of 8 APBn in Ukhiya; Hasanuzzaman Mollah, Additional SP at DIG APBn Office (Hill Districts), Rangamati; former SP of Narayanganj Golam Mostafa Russell; former SP of Rangpur Md. Shahjahan; Mahmudul Hasan, Telecom Officer (ASP) at Police Telecom, Rajarbagh; Ifthekharul Islam, Additional SP of 16 APBn in Cox’s Bazar; former SP of Dhaka ATU Mohammad Sanowar Hossain; Akhtarul Islam, Additional SP at In-Service Training Centre, Sylhet; S.M. Jahangir Hassan, Additional SP of River Police, Tangail; Mishu Biswas, Additional SP at In-Service Training Centre, Jamalpur; and Al Imran Hossain, Assistant Police Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police.

The interim government on Sunday warned that it would be compelled to be tough to protect the country’s economy and the interests of its people if the officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) do not return to their work. “We hope that the officials and employees will return to work immediately and refrain from illegal and destructive activities against national interests. Otherwise, the government will be compelled to turn tough to protect the people and the economy of the country,” said the government in a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The government said it decided to restructure the NBR in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, aiming to address weaknesses in the country’s revenue management system. The government, according to the statement, has also decided to declare all categories of jobs under customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates and customs stations, under the jurisdiction of the NBR, as ‘Essential Services’ to ensure uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade activities in the national interest. Bangladesh's biggest challenge in implementing development-oriented budgetary activities is the weak revenue collection structure. The amount of revenue collected remains significantly lower than the state’s requirements, primarily due to inefficiencies, irregularities and corruption within the revenue collection system, the government mentions. Finance Adviser ‘declines’ meeting with NBR Reform Unity Council amid protests Besides, the current interim government expressed deep concern over attempts by a ‘section of NBR officials and employees’ to obstruct the ongoing revenue reforms. "For the past two months, in the guise of a movement, they have severely disrupted trade, imports, exports and revenue collection activities, causing widespread public suffering. Such actions are entirely unacceptable," the statement reads. The statement further mentions that beyond resisting reforms, the agitating officials have seriously hampered revenue collection during the last two months of the fiscal year. "This so-called movement is pre-planned and ill-intentioned, posing a direct threat to national interests and the rights of citizens," it adds. The government reiterated that it had made clear announcements to consider the demands of NBR officials and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis. "They, however, rejected this offer and have continued to harm the economy with their rigid stance under the banner of a movement, rather than seeking an acceptable solution through discussions," said the government.  

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the government is committed to the swift trial of those who raped a 25-year-old woman after breaking into her home in Cumilla’s Muradnagar. “The Home Ministry took action immediately ... .the key suspects and others have already been arrested,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, expressing government commitment to deal with the case with the highest importance. He said like any citizen of the country, they are all saddened and outraged by this heinous crime. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present at the media briefing. UN human rights body to set up office in Bangladesh for 3 years The Law Adviser said an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure was approved at the meeting of Council Advisers on Sunday. He expressed the hope that many innocent people will be saved from harassment if this initiative is implemented. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting of the Council of Advisers at the Chief Adviser’s Tejgaon office.

The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed the effectiveness of its 2018 judgment that approved the much-debated service discipline rules for lower court judges. A six-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order. The same bench also granted leave to appeal against the earlier verdict that had endorsed the controversial rules. Following the order now there is no legal bar to continuing the ongoing High Court hearing on a writ petition concerning Article 116 of the Constitution, said lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the state during the hearing. Earlier on June 26, the court fixed June 29 for delivering the verdict on the review petition filed against the Appellate Division’s 2018 judgment which had approved the much-debated discipline rules for lower court judges. On that day, lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir argued in favour of the review while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman opposed it. Appointment of administrator to Nagad legal: High Court Talking to reporters after the order Advocate Shishir Monir said, “We told the court that the 2018 discipline rules were imposed by the then acting Chief Justice practically assaulting the judiciary. Previously, nine judges had delivered different orders on this issue. The government through the judiciary forced to introduce the gazette on lower court judges’ service rules—something unprecedented in judicial history.” That’s why we filed the review petition with the court’s permission seeking its urgent consideration,” he added. The dispute over lower court judges’ service rules traces back to the landmark Masdar Hossain case verdict of December 2, 1999, when the Appellate Division issued 12 directives for judicial independence including a clear separation of the judiciary from the executive branch. The Appellate Division upheld this landmark verdict in 2005.

Police are continuing their drive to arrest the main accused in a rape case involving the wife of an expatriate in Ramchandrapur Panchkitta village under Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla. According to Cumilla Superintendent of Police, the incident occurred around 8:00pm on June 26 when Fazar Ali Fazar, 36, son of Shahid Mia of Bahechar (Purbo Para) village in Muradnagar, allegedly raped a woman from the same area.  Locals managed to detain and beat him at the scene before he fled while injured. Shortly after the incident, some people who were present at the scene filmed the victim and circulated the video on social media platforms, prompting outrage and concern over the violation of decency and privacy. Singer Nobel granted bail in rape case Muradnagar police responded quickly upon receiving the information and took immediate legal measures.  Based on a written complaint filed by the victim, a case (No. 18, dated 27/06/2025) was lodged at Muradnagar Police Station under Section 9(1) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 (Amendment 2003). Law enforcers are actively working to trace and capture the accused to make sure appropriate legal action is taken against him, police said. Silent journey turns into nightmare; Habiganj College student raped on moving bus Meanwhile, police arrested three people in connection with the illegal sharing of the victim’s video.  Police said legal action will be taken against them as per existing laws.

Police on Saturday arrested a fugitive accused from Chattogram city’s Pahartali area in the case filed over the attack on BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s motorcade in 2017. The arrestee, Shamsuddoha Sikder Arzu, is a resident of Syedbari area under Ward-8 of Rangunia area and former president of Rangunia Upazila unit of Jubo League, a wing of the deposed Awami League (AL). Pahartali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Babul Azad said, "Locals detained Arzu and handed him over to us. He is wanted in a case filed with Kotwali Police Station, so we will transfer him there." One arrested for death threats against CA, chief justice, army chief The OC added that Arzu Sikder is also accused in several other cases, including one over arson in Rangunia and another filed in connection with the attack on Mirza Fakhrul’s convoy. Several more cases have been lodged against him in various police stations and courts in Chattogram since August 5 last year. Chattogram city BNP leader Idris Ali said the attack took place on June 18, 2017, when BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul, were travelling from Dhaka to Rangamati via Chattogram to visit areas affected by landslides.

Police on Saturday arrested a man for issuing death threats against the chief adviser of the interim government, the chief justice, and the army chief through a video posted on social media. The arrestee, identified as Alamgir, was detained from the Jafatnagar area in Fatikchhari upazila of Chattogram, Fatikchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nur Ahmed said. 3rd grader schoolboy killed over mobile game, friend detained “Police arrested him after a video went viral on social media, where he was seen brandishing a bloodstained knife and threatening to kill the chief adviser along with other key state officials,” said the OC. In the video, Alamgir is seen holding a bloodstained knife and issuing threats to the Chief Adviser, Chief Justice, and Army Chief using abusive language. The video sparked public outrage after circulating widely on social media. The accused has been sent to court, the OC added.