United News of Bangladesh

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday said the Osman Hadi murder case will be tried under the Speedy Trial Tribunal to ensure quick justice. In a Facebook post in the afternoon, Asif Nazrul said the trial will be held under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002. Under Section 10 of the law, he said, the trial must be completed within a maximum of 90 days after the submission of the police report. The announcement came amid growing demand for prompt justice in the killing of Hadi. Inqilab Moncho to hold protest rally demanding immediate arrest of Hadi's killers Osman Hadi, a leading figure in the 2024 July uprising and served as spokesperson for Inquilab Moncho, was shot a day after the Election Commission announced that the next national election would take place on February 12. For advanced treatment he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. The death triggered widespread outrage and calls for exemplary punishment of those responsible.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least nine people in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Seven of the arrestees were identified as Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam, according to a Facebook post by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday morning. Kashem, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, currently lives in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Saidur hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, from Sherpur district, was identified in video footage taking part in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He also posted images of the wreckage along with provocative messages on Facebook. Md Naim, a resident of Kunipara in Tejgaon, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the attacks. During primary interrogation, he admitted to looting Tk 123,000, part of which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. The items were later recovered. Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar rail-line area, has 13 cases filed against him, including drug-related charges, at different police stations in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam, arrested from the same area, has two previous cases related to arson and grenade attacks. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the police, along with intelligence agencies, has detained two more individuals whose identities are currently being verified. At a meeting on Sunday, police informed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that primary video analysis had identified 31 suspects involved in the incidents. In Chattogram, three people who attempted to create unrest near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner were also identified from video footage. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the law and order situation must be maintained at any cost before the upcoming national election.  The meeting, held on Sunday afternoon (December 21, 2025), discussed in detail various issues, including the return of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, security measures taken on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Prof Yunus ordered the prompt arrest of those involved in the murder of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and other illegal activities. The issues were discussed at a meeting held at state guest house Jamuna on Sunday afternoon with Prof Yunus in the chair. The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country. Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Advisor Dr Khalilur Rahman and top officials of various security and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting, said Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Monday. Editors’ Council, NOAB condemn arson attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star. Besides, the arrest of those involved in the murder of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July fighter Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and the progress of the investigation were discussed in detail. The police informed the Chief Adviser that 31 people have already been identified through video footage on suspicion of being involved in the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations. At least six people have been arrested in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, in these incidents till Monday morning. The arrestees are Md Kashem Farooqui, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naeem, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam. Mob incited by Elias Hossain sets fire to Daily Star office in Dhaka The operation to arrest the remaining identified suspects is underway. In addition, three of those who tried to create chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram have been identified through video footage.

The second day of interrogation of investigation officer Jane Alam Khan was held on Sunday in a crime against humanity case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July mass uprising in Ashulia. The case involves 16 accused, including former Awami League lawmaker from Savar Saiful Islam. The cross-examination began on Sunday before a three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the panel are retired District and Sessions Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Jane Alam Khan was cross-examined by Advocate Syed Mizanur Rahman, representing former additional superintendent of police of Dhaka district Abdullahil Kafi. The questioning was initiated earlier by state defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmad, Saimum Reza Talukder and others represented the prosecution. The cross-examination of the investigation officer began on December 14 after completion of witness testimonies. Jane Alam Khan earlier testified as the 24th witness on December 2. Once his cross-examination is completed, the case will move to the argument stage. A total of 24 witnesses testified over 22 working days. Among them, SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque appeared as a state witness, while SI Anisur Rahman gave a supplementary statement. Eight accused are currently in custody, including former additional superintendents of police and several police officials. Former MP Saiful Islam and seven others remain absconding. On August 21 this year, the tribunal framed charges against all 16 accused, formally commencing the trial. Sheikh Abzalul Haque pleaded guilty and was granted state witness status. According to the case, six youths were shot dead by police in Ashulia on August 5 last year, after which their bodies were burned in a police van. One victim was alive during the burning. Another person was killed the previous day. The case was filed with the tribunal on September 11 last year.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has detected suspicious financial transactions worth more than Tk 127 crore in several bank accounts belonging to the main accused, Faisal Karim Masud, and his associates in the murder of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Based on information received from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the CID has initiated a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Following the fatal shooting of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Osman Hadi in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on December 12, the CID launched a shadow investigation covering multiple aspects of the case. These include immediate crime scene management, collection and analysis of CCTV footage, recovery of bullet casings, and forensic examination of evidence. As part of the continuing probe, the CID has now expanded its investigation to financial transactions after obtaining bank account details from multiple sources. Although the prime accused Faisal Karim Masud—also known as Daud Khan and Rahul—has not yet been arrested, several of his family members and associates have been detained on charges of concealing evidence and assisting his escape. During arrest operations, investigators seized several checkbooks linked to the accused and related individuals and organizations. Preliminary scrutiny of these records indicates financial dealings amounting to approximately Tk 218 crore, though the figures are yet to be finalized. Initial analysis has revealed unusual transactions exceeding Tk 127 crore across multiple accounts, which investigators suspect may be linked to money laundering, organized crime, and the financing of terrorist activities. In response, the CID has launched a separate money laundering case and is taking steps to confiscate around Tk 65 lakh from various bank accounts of the accused and his associated individuals and entities in favor of the state. Meanwhile, multiple CID teams are working to trace the original sources of the funds and to determine whether an organized and influential network was involved in planning, financing, and supplying weapons for the murder.

Police on Sunday said they have no specific information about the whereabouts of Faisal, the prime suspect in the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies are actively trying to locate Faisal. “We do not have specific information about Faisal’s last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it,” he said. “However, we have not received any reliable information indicating that he has left the country.” He also cautioned that suspects often spread misinformation. “Sometimes criminals spread false rumours about their location,” he added. Regarding possible political involvement, Rafiqul Islam said no concrete evidence has yet emerged. “We have not received any specific information about the involvement of any political party in this murder. However, efforts are underway to gather accurate data,” he said. Detective Branch (DB) chief Shafiqul Islam said investigators are looking into the case with utmost seriousness. “Initially, the murder appears to be politically motivated, as there does not seem to be any personal motive,” he said. He mentioned that the law enforcers have been on the ground since the beginning of the incident, and all agencies are working in coordination. “We are examining all possible angles.” Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30 pm on Saturday.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said taking the law into one's own hands is a major obstacle to good governance. “This is an extremely condemnable and heinous act. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. Mob justice is a major obstacle to good governance,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. The adviser said he had sent a message and had requested the Home Affairs Adviser to take action against those involved in the killing of a man in Mymensingh and in setting the body on fire. Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district on Thursday night.  His body was later set on fire. Replying to another question, the adviser claimed that the law and order is now fully under control. He said violent incidents were still occurring, but considering the current situation, they remained hopeful that elections would be held on time in a free, fair, inclusive and festive manner and that such an environment still existed. Asked about recent arson attacks on two newspapers—The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—the adviser said “Efforts are on to prevent such incidents.To ensure police control at all establishments in advance is very difficult. Often, we do not know in which direction an attack may occur. That is why we always discourage such acts.” Based on intelligence reports, several individuals involved in setting fire to Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been identified, he said, adding, “We have already taken measures to arrest them and bring them under book.” Regarding the attack on Chhayanaut, the adviser said that who said what was not within their jurisdiction, but as a government they could never accept arson attacks on government-approved institutions or the killing of people by burning them, adding that they considered such acts heinous crimes and were determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. When asked whether there was any intelligence failure as attacks took place on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and other locations across the country on the same night, Khalid Hossain said it would not be appropriate for him to label it directly as an intelligence failure. Drawing attention to allegations of incitement from abroad, the adviser said comments made from outside the country are beyond the direct control of the Bangladesh government. He pointed out that those were open platforms such as Meta and YouTube, which they could not directly control, and that even from within Bangladesh many people posted abusive comments every day.

A trader was stabbed to death allegedly by muggers in the capital’s Jatrabari area early Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ashish Joaddar, 32, a cloth trader and son of Amal Joyaddar of Paturia village in Magura Sadar. Al Amin, a witness, said when Ashish was walking past a warehouse under the Jatrabari flyover two to three muggers blocked his way and stabbed him with a knife. Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot, prompting the attackers to flee without managing to snatch anything, he said. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition around 1:30am where doctors on duty at the emergency department declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to Jatrabari Police Station.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested ten people in connection with the killing of a Hindu youth who was beaten to death in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district. Of them, seven were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and three by the police, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said on Saturday. Those arrested by RAB are Md Limon Sarkar, 19; Md Tarek Hossain, 19; Md Manik Mia, 20; Ershad Ali, 39; Nizum Uddin, 20; Alamgir Hossain, 38; and Md Miraj Hossain Akon, 46. The police arrested Md Ajmal Hasan Sagir, 26; Md Shahin Mia, 19; and Md Nazmul. RAB-14 and the police conducted operations at different locations to detain the suspects, the press wing added. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila. His body was later set on fire.

Police have arrested 16 more people in Naogaon in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ operation, police said on Saturday. All the arrestees are leaders and activists of different organs and affiliated bodies of the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said in a press release. The arrestees are Arman Khan Palin, 34, of Bangabaria area in Naogaon Sadar upazila; Mostafizur Rahman Firoz, 55, of Chakdev Masterpara; Rezaul Haque, 72, of Krittipur; Mehedi Hasan Nirob, 28, of Bacharigram; Md Hasan, 45; Abdul Kader, 60, of Kachua (Gahelapur) area of Raninagar upazila; Rafi Hasan, 25, of Meerut area in Jalalabad; Jahangir Alam, 63, of Gana (Dighi Purbapara) area; Ayet Ali, 56, of Sonaidanga area of Atrai upazila; Motibul Islam, 54, of Harirampur area of Patnitala upazila; Mizanur Rahman, 40, of Battali area; Momtaz Uddin, 55, of Sherpur area of Mahadevpur upazila; Rafiqul Islam, 42, of Haripur area; Moslem Prodhan, 41, of Kusmail area of Niamatpur upazila; Chaiful Islam, 42, of Kharapa area of Porsha upazila; and Jotiranjan Adhikari, 46, of Mainam area of Manda upazila. SP Mohammad Tariqul Islam said the operation is being conducted as part of regular police activities to curb crime and maintain law and order in the district. “A total of 55 people have been arrested in recent days, including accused persons in various cases and those with outstanding warrants,” he added. The police official said the operation would continue to ensure overall law and order in the district.