United News of Bangladesh

A court in Feni on Monday sentenced a couple to three years and six months in prison for filing a false rape case and making fabricated harassment allegations. The convicts are Shahidullah and his wife Najma Akhter. The court also fined them Tk 10,000 each. In default, they will have to serve an additional one month in jail. Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge A N M Morshed Khan handed down the verdict. Plaintiff’s lawyer PP Shahabuddin Ahmed said Najma Akhter filed a rape case against Abdur Rahman on May 23, 2022, claiming that she became pregnant as a result of the alleged rape. Following a court order, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) conducted an inquiry, recorded testimonies of seven witnesses and submitted its report, finding the allegations to be false. Najma Akhter later filed an objection to the report, prompting the tribunal to order a reinvestigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID also found no truth in the allegations. After another objection was filed, the court ordered a DNA test. The DNA report found no match between the newborn and the accused Abdur Rahman. Instead, the child’s DNA matched that of Najma Akhter’s husband, Shahidullah. Based on the scientific evidence, the tribunal discharged Abdur Rahman from Women and Children Case No. Complaint-145/22 and ordered legal action against the complainants for filing a false case. Subsequently, Abdur Rahman filed a case with the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on November 27, 2024. During the trial, testimonies of two prosecution witnesses and five defence witnesses were recorded.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has transferred one Joint Commissioner and 13 Deputy Commissioner (DC). An office order signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali was issued in this regard on Monday. According to the order, Joint Commissioner (Current Charge) ASM Shamsur Rahman has been posted as Joint Commissioner (Current Charge) (Estate, Development and ICT). Among the DCs, Md Ziauddin Ahmed has been transferred as DC (Detective Branch–Tejgaon Division), Tariqul Islam as DC (Welfare and Force Division), Khaleda Begum as DC (ICT Division), and Syed Mohammad Farhat as DC (Diplomatic Security), DC Liza Begum has been posted as DC (Traffic–Admin, Planning and Research), Mahmudul Kabir as DC (POM–South Division), Abdullah Al Mamun as DC (CT–Cyber Crime Investigation Division), and Mizanur Rahman as DC (CT–Admin and Logistic Division). DC Nure Alam has been posted as DC (CT–Research and Development Division), Md Abu Sayeed as DC (Ration and Clothing Division), while a DC from the ICT Division has been posted as DC (In-charge, Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division).

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday decided to file a case against 26 people including Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 903.67 crore by some former and current officials of National Bank Limited and several business entities. ACC deputy director Aktarul Islam said  the accused, through prior planning and collusion, abused their power and breached trust to approve and disburse loans using fabricated records. Among the accused are Ahmed Jalal Khan Majlish, Managing Director of Bloom Success International Limited; Khadiza Akter, Director of the same company; several former and retired senior executives, managing directors, additional managing directors, vice presidents and board directors of National Bank Limited; and owners and directors of multiple construction, engineering and trading firms. The ACC alleged that the accused submitted fake civil works contract agreements to secure loan approval then siphoned off the funds for personal gain or to benefit others. Following completion of the inquiry, the Commission approved the decision to initiate the case, Aktarul Islam said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned all forms of public gatherings in key areas in the capital including near Bangladesh Secretariat and Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, effective from Monday. The restriction has been enforced under the Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976, citing the need to maintain public order and safety of the Chief Adviser, said a public notice issued by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali. According to the notice, all types of meetings, assemblies, processions, human chains, sit-ins, and similar activities are strictly prohibited in and around the Secretariat and Jamuna. Video messages of Hadi murder prime suspect being examined: DMP Commissioner The areas under the restriction included Hotel InterContinental Crossing, Kakrail Mosque crossing, Officers Club crossing and Mintoo Road crossing. The order will remain in force until further notice. The DMP commissioner urged people to cooperate to help maintain peace and security in the designated areas.

Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district unit of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), was granted bail on Sunday (January 04, 2026) after appearing before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Habiganj. Hasan was arrested on Saturday evening (January 03, 2026) by the Detective Branch (DB) from a house in Shayestaganj and later handed over to Habiganj police. Authorities did not disclose the reason for his arrest when contacted by journalists. His lawyer, Abdul Malek Hriday, filed a bail petition, which the court approved. SAD demands unconditional release of Mahdi Hasan by tonight According to police, an FIR (No. 1/26) was filed at Shayestaganj Police Station accusing Hasan of obstructing government work through illegal assembly. The arrest triggered protests by SAD leaders and activists outside the police station in Habiganj and at Shahbagh in Dhaka, demanding his immediate release. Police, army personnel and members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were deployed to maintain law and order. Hasan was taken to court early Sunday morning, where the magistrate granted him bail. SAD Habiganj Member Secretary detained after video goes viral The incident followed the detention of Enamul Hasan Nayan, vice-president of Shayestaganj Sadar Union Chhatra League, by police late Thursday night over allegations of involvement with the banned Chhatra League. After Nayan’s detention, SAD leaders and activists laid siege to Shayestaganj Police Station on Friday, demanding his release. A group led by Mahdi Hasan reportedly entered the office of the officer-in-charge (OC) and argued with police officials. A video of the incident later went viral on Facebook, showing Mahdi making controversial remarks while addressing the OC, which drew widespread criticism. In the video, Mahdi is heard saying, “We burned down Baniachong police station, and we set SI Santosh on fire. SAD issues show-cause notice to Habiganj leader over unwarranted statements at police station From that position, how dare you say, ‘So what if he is an SAD activist?’ Did so many of our brothers come here for nothing? Through the July movement, we formed the government. In this context, you are part of our administration. Yet you have arrested our people.” Following mediation by Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle) Shahidul Islam, Nayan was released around 3:30 pm on Friday. Mahdi Hasan later acknowledged receiving a show-cause notice, claiming his remarks were a 'slip of the tongue'.

Habiganj Detective Branch (DB) police on Saturday evening detained Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district unit of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD). According to SAD leaders and activists, Mahdi was picked up from a residence in the city’s Shayestanagar area and taken to Habiganj Sadar Police Station in a microbus. Confirming the detention, Habiganj Superintendent of Police Yasmin Akter said Mahdi Hasan had been detained, adding that details regarding the grounds for the detention would be shared later. Following his detention, leaders and activists of SAD gathered in front of the police station, demanding his immediate release and chanting slogans. Earlier in the day, the central committee of SAD issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi Hasan, directing him to refrain from organisational activities for making what it termed “unwarranted statements.” The notice, signed by Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain, said Mahdi’s remarks made during a discussion with the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station were inconsistent with the organisation’s ideology and had tarnished its image. He was asked to submit a clear explanation within 24 hours. The move followed the detention of Enamul Hasan Nayan, vice-president of Shayestaganj Sadar Union Chhatra League, by police late Thursday night on allegations of involvement with the banned Chhatra League. After the detention, SAD leaders and activists laid siege to Shayestaganj Police Station on Friday, demanding Nayan’s release. A group led by Mahdi reportedly entered the OC’s room and argued with police officials. A video of the incident later went viral on Facebook, showing Mahdi making controversial remarks while addressing the OC, triggering widespread criticism. In that viral video, Mahdi is seen addressing the OC, saying: “We burned down Baniachong police station, and we set SI Santosh on fire. From that position, how dare you say, ‘So what if he is an SAD activist?’ Did so many of our brothers come here for nothing? Through the July movement, we formed the government. In this context, you are part of our administration. Yet you have arrested our people.” After mediation by Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle) Shahidul Islam, Nayan was released around 3:30 pm on Friday. Mahdi Hasan later acknowledged receiving the show-cause notice, claiming his remarks were a “slip of the tongue.” OC Abul Kalam said Nayan had been detained on suspicion in an anti-discrimination movement-related case and alleged links to Chhatra League, but was released after verification found no criminal involvement.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of drugs in Teknaf and seied 200,000 pieces of contraband yaba tablets during an anti-narcotics operation along the Naf River border on early Saturday. BGB had secret information that a large shipment of yaba would enter Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Maungdaw area through the Ashikaniya area, about one kilometre northeast of BRM-5 under the jurisdiction of Sabrang BOP. Based on the information,  BGB Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) Commanding officer (CO) Lt Col Ashikur Rahman directed a special operation in the area. Following the order, a BGB operational team took positions in the Dakat’s Goda area of Sabrang and the adjacent area Naf River at around 4:30 am in the early Saturday morning. Using thermal cameras, four persons were spotted approaching Bangladesh by boat across the Naf River during the time. As BGB teams moved forward by boat to intercept them, the suspects sensed the presence of BGB and the sound of the vessel, and fled back into Myanmar to avoid arrest. Later, during a search operation in the area, BGB recovered four floating polythene bags from the river containing a total of 200,000 yaba tablets, specially wrapped. Efforts are continuing to identify and arrest those involved in the smuggling attempt. Speaking on the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Ashikur Rahman said BGB has been performing its duties with the highest professionalism and dedication to protect state sovereignty and ensure public safety in border areas. He added that BGB’s strong and effective role in preventing cross-border crimes, including human and drug trafficking, will continue in the future. The seized drugs will be handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station following completion of legal procedures, he added.  

A group of robbers looted a gold shop in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat early Saturday, taking about 35 bhori of gold ornaments and cash Tk 6 lakh, the shop owner calimed. The robbery took place at Mondol Jewellers on Station Road in Panchbibi municipal town. The owner, Nur Islam, said the robbers tied up the night guard and broke into the shop before fleeing with the valuables. Police visited the spot in the morning after receiving the information. No one has been arrested yet and the stolen gold or cash has not been recovered. According to local traders and police sources, at around 4am on Saturday, a gang of robbers arrived in a microbus in front of Mondol Jewellers. They tied up the night guard on duty, Bhuttu, then broke open the shop’s lock and entered inside. The robbers later forced open the safe and fled with the stated amount of gold ornaments and cash kept there. Hafiz Md Raihan, Officer in Charge of Panchbibi Police Station confirmed the inciden and said, “Police have started an investigation and are collecting CCTV footage from nearby areas. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.” The process of filing a case is ongoing at Panchbibi Police Station. Following the incident, fear has spread among local traders in Panchbibi municipal town.  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 98 people in the last 24 hours in the capital under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The arrests were made through conducting separate drive by police of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Mirpur, Jatrabari, Darus Salam and Rupnagar police stations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the period till 8:00 am on Saturday. Of the arrestees, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station arrested 50 people, Mirpur Model Police Station 11, Jatrabari Police Station 12, Darus Salam Police Station 14 and Rupnagar Police Station 11, said DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman on Saturday afternoon. According to sources at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, police conducted day-long raids on Friday in different crime-prone areas under the police station as part of Operation Devil Hunt and arrested 50 people, including accused in regular cases, wanted persons and those involved in various crimes. Mirpur Model Police Station sources said police conducted drives in different crime-prone areas under the police station on Friday and arrested 11 people. During the operation, 500 grams of cannabis and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession. Meanwhile, Jatrabari Police Station sources said police carried out raids in different crime-prone areas under the station on Friday and arrested 12 people. Three knives and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession. According to Darus Salam Police Station sources, police conducted operations in different crime-prone areas under the station on Friday (January 2) and arrested 14 people. Rupnagar Police Station sources said police conducted raids in different crime-prone areas under the police station on early Saturday till 8:00 am and arrested 11 people, including accused in regular cases and those involved in various crimes. A mobile phone was recovered from their possession.

A bus driver of the ‘Victor Classic’ bus service has been accused of threatening a woman with rape in Tongi, Gazipur. Following the incident, a case was filed at West Tongi Police Station on charges of assault and attempted murder after another passenger was beaten for protesting the act. Police have since detained two individuals in connection with the incident. The matter was confirmed on Saturday (3 January) by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of West Tongi Police Station, Md. Shahin Khan. The OC said, “The driver and his assistant were detained on the day of the incident. During preliminary interrogation, they admitted the truth of the incident. The bus has been seized, and necessary legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.” According to the victim’s complaint, on 1 January, the wife of Md. Naim Islam, a 16th batch student of the History Department of Jagannath University, began her journey on a ‘Victor Classic’ bus from the Uttara BNS area to Hossain Market in Tongi. She was seated in the reserved seat for women beside the driver. The complaint states that after the woman introduced herself as a member of a Jagannath University student’s family, the driver began making provocative and obscene remarks. At one point, when the bus reached the traffic police box in front of Safiuddin Sarkar Academy, Naim Islam attempted to record a video on his mobile phone. At that time, the driver pushed him against the bus window and threw his phone away. When the victim asked the driver to stop the bus in front of the police box, he refused. As she started screaming, the driver allegedly threatened her with rape inside the bus. A passenger named Nur Nabi came forward to protest the incident, leading to a scuffle among the driver, his assistant, and other passengers. Later, when the bus stopped at the Hossain Market area, the woman was safely helped off the bus with the assistance of passengers. However, after everyone else had gotten off, Nur Nabi was attacked when he was alone. The driver, his assistant, and another person allegedly beat him with iron rods, leaving him seriously injured. Subsequently, with the help of local residents, the bus was stopped. Although the driver and his assistant managed to flee, another driver was detained and handed over to the police. In this incident, Md. Naim Islam filed a case at West Tongi Police Station on charges of threatening rape and attempted murder. He alleged, “After the incident, around 3:30 am, 15–20 people from the bus owners’ association came to the police station and threatened us to withdraw the case.” He further claimed that the accused driver had been released on bail four days earlier in a drug-related case from Uttara East Police Station.