United News of Bangladesh

A Cumilla court on Sunday Jisan Ahmed Pradhan, expelled assistant secretary for international affairs of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, on a two-day remand in a case filed over allegations of rape, forced abortion and criminal intimidation. Judge Tayyab Uddin of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court-3 passed the order in the afternoon, said the plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Monir Hossain Patwary. Earlier, Shamsul Alam Shah, officer-in-charge of the Detective Branch (DB) of Cumilla Police and also the investigation officer of the case, sought a seven-day remand for the accused. According to court sources, Jisan’s family claimed that he had gone missing on June 11. A general diary (GD) was filed with Daudkandi Model Police Station the following day. Later that night, he was found unconscious in Laksam Junction area of the district and was rescued. On the same night, a 25-year-old widow filed a case against him with Daudkandi Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, accusing him of rape and forcing her to undergo an abortion. Police later showed him arrested in the case and produced him before the court from Cumilla Medical College Hospital on June 16.  

A total of 59 accused have been convicted in seven cases over crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, with 13 of them sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Law Minister Asaduzzaman told Parliament on Sunday. Responding to a question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Masum Mostafa (Netrokona-5), the minister said the remaining convicts received life imprisonment or various other prison terms. The Law Minister said 80 cases have so far been filed in this connection. Judgments have so far been delivered in seven cases while proceedings in the remaining 73 cases are ongoing, he added. Of the pending cases, 22 are currently at the witness testimony stage while investigations are underway in 51 cases, he said. The minister told the House that a total of 463 individuals have been accused in crimes against humanity cases linked to the July 2024 events. Among them, 174 accused have been arrested, 288 remain fugitives, one accused has died and one has been acquitted, he added. Replying to a question from reserved-seat lawmaker Selina Sultana, the minister said 1,964 judges are serving against the total post of 2,620 across the country. The process of appointing judges to the vacant posts is underway, he said. Asaduzzaman said the government has recently established 650 Civil Judge and Senior Assistant Judge courts, 406 Joint District Judge courts and 204 Additional District Judge courts. “The creation of judicial posts for the newly established courts is under active consideration by the government,” he added. Responding to a question from reserved-seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, the law minister said 119,830 family cases were pending before family courts across the country as of March 31, 2026. To expedite the disposal of such cases, the government established 163 family courts and 65 family appellate courts across the country, he said. In response to another question from the same lawmaker, Asaduzzaman said political affiliation is not mentioned in First Information Reports (FIRs) at the time of filing cases. “As a result, it is not possible to determine accurately how many false and harassing cases have been filed against BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists across the country, and the government does not have specific data in this regard,” he said. However, according to information received from BNP's central office, a total of 142,983 false and harassing cases were filed against BNP leaders and activists between 2007 and January 11, 2025, he said. The minister said the government does not have statistics on how many cases were filed against Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists during the previous “fascist regime”. He said a total of 23,865 politically motivated and harassing cases have so far been withdrawn. “Committees are continuing their work to withdraw the remaining harassment cases that are yet to be withdrawn,” he added.

Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Additional Commissioner Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan has been withdrawn apparently after controversy surrounding a viral video clip containing his remarks. The instruction was issued in a letter signed by Additional DIG (Establishment) Raihan Uddin Khan of the Personnel Management-1 Branch of the Police Headquarters on Saturday. According to the letter, Rashidul Islam Khan has been asked to hand over his responsibilities at his current workplace in KMP and report to the Police Headquarters by today (June 21). The move came after controversy surrounding remarks made during an interaction with local residents in Mohirbari Khalpar area under Lobonchora Police Station in Khulna city on Tuesday last week. A 25-second video clip of his comments went viral on social media. Some part of his remarks sparked controversy and drew criticism. Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan is a member of the BCS Police cadre and had been serving as Additional Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police.

The district administration on Saturday raided a pharmaceutical factory in Cumilla's BSCIC Industrial Estate after learning that it was manufacturing and marketing at least 22 different medicines, despite having licences for only five of those. During the drive, authorities seized unapproved medicines, raw materials and manufacturing equipment from the factory, named Modern Drug. The operation, which continued from the evening until around 8:30 pm, was conducted by Executive Magistrate Faiyaz Khan of the Deputy Commissioner's Office based on information provided by the Cumilla unit of the National Security Intelligence (NSI). Officials concerned said the company's director, Zubair Islam, had long been producing various medicines and selling them through dealers across the country despite having approval for only a limited number of products. Executive Magistrate Faiyaz Khan said allegations of manufacturing medicines without proper authorisation had been substantiated during the raid. He also said the factory had been producing medicines without any approved technician on site. Legal action will be taken over the seized materials and preparations are underway to file a regular case, he added. Shah Alam Sarkar, office assistant of the Department of Drug Administration in Cumilla, said the factory authorities failed to produce approval documents for the 22 types of medicines seized during the operation. He said several foreign-brand medicines were also being manufactured at the facility and warned that some of the medicines produced for children posed serious risks to public health. Factory owner Zubair Islam partially admitted the allegations, saying the company had approval for producing several medicines but had not obtained authorisation for some other products. Executive Magistrate Sultan Hasan Mahmud, officials of the NSI and members of the district police were also present during the drive.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the sensational murder of a child domestic worker, Rikta Moni, in the capital's Dhanmondi area. The arrestees are Md Sabibur Rahman, 46, and his wife Farah Nusrat, 40, also known as Borni, police said. According to Dhanmondi Police Station sources, Rikta Moni had been working as a domestic help in Dhaka for nearly 31 months due to her family's financial hardship. She was reportedly employed at a residence in Dhanmondi through an acquaintance of the complainant, Md Gazibur Rahman, and another individual named Ayub Ali. Police said allegations had surfaced that the child was subjected to physical and mental abuse at the house. According to police, at around 6am on Friday, Rikta fell from the balcony of the 10th floor of the apartment building and sustained critical injuries. She was taken to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi, where doctors declared her dead. Police found multiple injury marks on her body and her left arm was broken, raising suspicions surrounding the circumstances of her death. Based on a complaint filed by the victim's father, a murder case was lodged with Dhanmondi Police Station on Saturday. Following the filing of the case, a team from Dhanmondi Police Station conducted a raid at around 3:30 am on Saturday and arrested homeowner and engineer Sabibur Rahman and his wife Farah Nusrat from their residence in Dhanmondi. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Niaz Mehdi said the two accused had been produced before a court.

A local BNP leader was seriously injured after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants outside his residence in the capital’s Mohammadpur area on Friday noon. The injured was identified as Md Nurul Islam, 55, senior joint general secretary of BNP’s Ward No. 33 unit in Mohammadpur. The attack took place around 2:30pm near Satmasjid Housing in Mohammadpur. According to police, six attackers arrived on two motorcycles and indiscriminately hacked Nurul Islam beneath his residence before fleeing the scene. He sustained severe injuries to the left side of his face, shoulder and left hand. Family members rescued him and first took him to a nearby hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for advanced treatment. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital’s emergency department. Yasin, a nephew of the injured BNP leader, said the family was not yet aware of the identities of the attackers or the motive behind the assault. Jewel Rana, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DMP’s Mohammadpur Division, said preliminary findings suggest that the attack may have stemmed from political rivalry. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police are jointly working to identify and arrest those involved in the incident he added.

Police arrested alleged top criminal “Auto Sajal” from the Sayedabad area of the capital on Thursday night. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Nazrul Islam disclosed the information at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Friday morning. He said a team from Jatrabari Police Station carried out an operation in the Sayedabad area around 9:10pm and arrested Sajal. During preliminary interrogation, Sajal reportedly revealed that weapons and drugs had been stored at a rented house in Swamibagh. Acting on the information, police conducted another drive at the house and recovered two Taurus-brand pistols, four magazines and 77 rounds of live ammunition. Police also seized 59 grams of heroin, 87 grams of a substance locally known as “Medi” (allegedly used in heroin processing), Tk 22,960 in cash and four handsets allegedly used in criminal activities. According to police, the recovered firearms are suspected to be among looted weapons. DMP official Nazrul said Sajal's name emerged during the investigation into a shooting incident in the Sayedabad Bus Terminal area on March 2, in which an inspector of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) was shot during a raid. Three suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident. They were identified as Bappi, Hanif and Mosammat Shamsunnahar. Nazrul Islam said Sajal had long been involved in illegal arms supply and drug trafficking. Although he worked as a transport helper, he allegedly carried out criminal activities under disguise. Police said Sajal faces 11 cases filed at different police stations under the DMP.

A mobile court has seized 33 tonnes of rice allegedly diverted from the government’s Food-Friendly Programme in Sherpur and detained a warehouse owner. The detainee is Md Borhan Uddin, son of late Babul Mia of Kasba Kacharipara area in the town. Acting on a tip-off, the mobile court conducted the raid on the godown of Zebin Rice Processing in the Chapatali area of Sherpur town around 11:00pm on Thursday, according to police. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Sadar upazila and Executive Magistrate Md Mahmudul Hasan. During the operation, officials found rice packed in sacks marked for distribution under the Food-Friendly Programme for June 2026. A total of 33 tonnes of rice were recovered from 770 sacks, including 500 sacks weighing 50 kg each and 270 sacks weighing 30 kg each. Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Md Sohel Rana said Borhan Uddin failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source and possession of the rice during preliminary questioning. Later, the mobile court seized those, detained the warehouse owner and directed for filing a regular case in this regard.  

A Netrokona court has sent to jail the prime accused in a murder case, who was arrested nearly three decades after the incident in Khaliajuri upazila of Netrokona. The court passed the order when police produced the accused – Abu Hanif Talukder, 65, son of late Abdul Momin Talukder of Balli village under Chakua union – before it on Thursday, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khaliajuri Police Station Nasir Uddin. Earlier, police arrested him from Netrokona town on Wednesday afternoon, he said. Police said arrest warrants remain in force against several other accused in the case and efforts are underway to apprehend them. According to police and case records, Abu Hanif allegedly shot dead Sakhatur Rahman, 30, son of late Khurshed Uddin Talukder of the same village on May 14, 1997, using his father's licensed firearm. The killing reportedly stemmed from disputes over local election influence and allegations involving the theft of two sacks of paddy and clothing. A day after the incident, victim’s cousin Aftab Uddin Talukder filed a case at Khaliajuri Police Station, accusing Abu Hanif and 34 other individuals. Aftab Uddin said the investigation was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police following an application by the accused. During the investigation, four accused were dropped from the charge sheet, prompting him to challenge the decision. He said although a district court later ordered a reinvestigation, the same four accused were again excluded. Aftab Uddin added that the District Sessions Judge Court subsequently ordered that no accused should be excluded from the case, but the trial was repeatedly delayed as the defendants sought stay orders from higher courts. Following the withdrawal of stay orders after August 5, 2024, the court issued summons against the accused and later warrants for their arrest. Expressing satisfaction over the arrest of the prime accused, plaintiff Aftab Uddin said he had been pursuing justice for nearly 30 years. “I have received some relief with the arrest of the main accused. I hope the court will ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the murder,” he said.  

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested the prime accused in the 2024 murder of Farah Diba, wife of a retired Bangladesh Air Force officer, nearly two years after the killing in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS area. The accused, Md Sabuj Biswas, a driver by profession, was arrested from Kushtia following an extensive manhunt, RAB officials said on Thursday. Speaking at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said the murder was committed with the intention of robbery. According to RAB, Farah Diba, 60, wife of retired Wing Commander Kazi Abdul Matin, was murdered in her residence in Mirpur DOHS on October 27, 2024. A murder case was subsequently filed with Pallabi Police Station. The following day, RAB arrested security guard Md Milon Mia in connection with the incident. Based on Milon’s confessional statement recorded under Section 164 and the charge sheet submitted in the case, investigators found that Milon and Sabuj entered the house together and attacked the victim. They allegedly grabbed Farah Diba from behind and threw her to the floor. Sabuj held her mouth shut while Milon tied her hands and feet with rope and wrapped a towel around her face. She later died from suffocation. After ensuring her death, the accused looted cash and gold ornaments from an almirah before fleeing the scene, the RAB official said. “The investigation has established that the murder was carried out for robbery,” Wing Commander Intekhab said. He added that Sabuj had remained in hiding for a long period after the incident. Intelligence units from RAB Headquarters and RAB-12 had been conducting surveillance to locate him. Acting on confidential information and using information technology, a RAB team conducted a raid in the Court Station area under Kushtia Sadar Police Station on Thursday and arrested Sabuj, who was wanted under a court warrant. According to RAB, the accused had been evading arrest by using different identities and moving between various parts of the country. Asked whether the murder was driven by personal resentment or financial motives, Intekhab said the killing was committed solely for looting valuables from the house. He also urged the public to properly verify the identities and backgrounds of domestic security guards and drivers before employing them in their homes.