United News of Bangladesh

DMP's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested three operatives of the banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir from Uttara of the capital early Friday. The arrestees are Monirul Islam, 40, Mohtasin Billah, 40, and Mahmudul Hasan, 21. Md Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said the three were arrested from sectors 11 and 12 under Uttara Paschim police station after conducting the drive since 12:15am. A CTTC team launched the operation after being tipped-off that several Hizb ut-Tahrir men were secretly planning to organise a gathering titled ‘March for Khilafah at Baitul Mukarram Mosque, he said. Two Hizb ut-Tahrir men arrested from Dhaka’s Turag: Authorities Later, the operatives were arrested and police seized some documents of the organisation from them, he said. A case was filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act with the relevant police station, Talebur said. During the primary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they were active members of the organisation, the deputy commissioner added.

A total of 33 brokers and fraudsters, including 19 women, were detained from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) during a joint operation on Thursday morning. The operation, led by Dhaka District Executive Magistrate Afrin Jahan, was conducted to eliminate brokers and fraudsters at DMCH. The detainees were sentenced to various terms, including fines, with the maximum sentence being up to three months. Hospital Director Brig Gen Md Asaduzzaman said punitive action would be taken against any hospital staff members if found guilty, and daily wage workers involved would be dismissed from their positions. He also assured that such operations would continue in the future.

A Dhaka court on Thursday placed former MP of Dhaka-20 MA Malek on a four-day remand in a murder case. Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Tajul Islam passed the order when the investigating officer of the case produced him before the court with seven-day remand prayer. Criminals killed in Ctg mob beating used looted police firearm: SP Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested Malek from Dhaka’s Mirpur area. He was wanted in four murder cases filed with Ashulia Police Station. Malek was the former president of Dhamrai upazila unit Awami League. He was elected a parliament member for the first time in 2014. Anisul, Shajahan, 7 others shown arrested in July uprising cases Later, he contested the 12th parliamentary election as an independent candidate.

The firearm recovered from the scene where two alleged criminals were killed in a mob beating in Satkania was looted from Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station on August 5, police said on Thursday. Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam disclosed the information at a press conference at his office. DU student harassment: Accused granted bail The press conference was arranged following the arrest of Mamun, the prime accused in the murder case of dried fish trader Jahangir in Raozan, and his associate Biplob, who were arrested with firearms. In response to journalists' queries, SP Saiful Islam said, “The two people killed in Satkania were identified as Nezam and Salek. Salek was an accused in eight cases including two for murder, while Nezam was also facing legal charges.” “Our investigation indicates that they had visited the area at least eight times in the past three months. On the day of the incident, they arrived in seven CNG-run auto-rickshaws and brandished weapons at local shopkeepers. A few days earlier, they had slapped the wife of a union parishad member over extortion demands which fueled public resentment.” About allegations of Awami League leader Manik Chairman’s involvement, the SP said, “There have been rumors about a political figure’s presence at the scene. However, we found no evidence linking any political leader or chairman to the incident. Instead, we are investigating members of a banned student organszation and their associates, who are suspected of harboring the criminals. Bringing them to justice is our priority.” SP Saiful Islam said Nezam was seen wielding the weapon on the day of the incident. “After his death, we recovered the firearm which was confirmed to be the looted weapon from Kotwali. It had run out of bullets during the confrontation. This raises serious concerns about how a police firearm ended up in their possession, and we are actively investigating the matter.” Besides, on Wednesday night police arrested two suspected criminals from Noapara in Raozan upazila in businessman Jahangir murder case, he said. 13 fishermen rescued from Bay A foreign revolver, bullets, and locally-made weapons used in the murder were recovered from them. Mamun and his associates had demanded extortion money from businessman Jahangir in Raozan, said the SP. When he refused, they shot and hacked him to death on January 24 after Juma prayers. Mamun and Biplob are accused in at least 13 cases, including murder, abduction, and extortion, he said. SP Saiful Islam added that during preliminary interrogation the arrestees admitted to their involvement in the murder and revealed details of the planning.

A Dhaka court on Thursday granted bail to Mostafa Asif Arnob, a staff at the Dhaka University library, a day after his arrest in a case filed over harassing a female student of the university. Metropolitan Magistrate Mehra Mahbub passed the order on a bond of Tk 1,000 after a hearing. Earlier, Md Toufiq Hasan, a sub-inspector of Shahbagh Police Station and also the investigating officer of the case, produced him before the court. Govt taking swift action against mob violence: Home Adviser Advocate Azmat Hossain stood for the petitioner at the court. Sub-inspector Abul Kalam Azad of the General Registration Branch of the Shahbagh Police Station (Women and Children) Court said the complainant had earlier submitted an application to the Police Station for the withdrawal of the case against Arnob. According to the case statement, the student was walking with a friend from the National Museum adjacent to Shahbagh Police Station around 1:30 pm on Wednesday to the university campus. When she reached the Raju Sculpture, the accused came in front of the student and verbally harassed her for not having her "scarf" in the right place. HC issues rule on President's power to pardon convicts without policy Later, she informed her classmates about the matter and posted it on Facebook. In the Facebook post, she shared a photo of a man and wrote, "This man harassed me today (Wednesday) on my way from Shahbagh. He suddenly stopped me on the road and told me my clothing was 'inappropriate,' among other things… When I said I would call the proctor, he ran away."

Coast Guard (CG) members rescued 13 fishermen floating in the Bay of Bengal for four days after their fishing trawler went out of order. The fishermen were rescued 10 nautical miles off the island Dublar Char in the Sundarbans on Wednesday afternoon, said a media release sent by the CG on Thursday. All the fishermen are residents of different districts under Barishal division. The Coast Guard received a phone call from the national emergency service-999 on Wednesday noon and conducted a rescue operation. After rescuing them, they were brought to the Dublar Char, according to the release. The fishermen set off for fishing from Barguana’s Patharghata 12 days back and their trawler went out of order eight days after the journey.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said the government is taking swift action against incidents of mob justice across the country. The adviser was replying to a reporter’s question after visiting the Tourist Police Headquarters in the city’s Topkhana Road on Thursday afternoon. Regarding controlling incidents of mob attacks, the home adviser stressed the need for public awareness to curb such incidents. The public must be made aware. If people become unruly, it creates problems. Law enforcement agencies alone cannot always control the such situation, he said. Govt committee recommends withdrawal of 4,615 political cases When asked about the continued prevalence of mob violence over the past six months, including attacks on foreigners and home intrusions, he admitted it saying, "I won’t deny that incidents are happening. But wherever they occur, we are bringing those responsible under the law immediately," he added. The adviser also noted that police officers themselves have come under attacks, further underscoring the importance of public awareness. "Parents and relatives must play a role in controlling their children. The media also has a big role in preventing mob justice," he said. Regarding reports of raids on homes under the guise of operations leading to looting, he said, "No one except law enforcement agencies has the authority to conduct such operations." On the issue of highway robberies, particularly ahead of Eid, he said measures are being taken to prevent such crimes. When asked whether high-risk zones have been identified, he pointed out that robbery incidents are relatively higher in the Dhaka-Rajshahi region and parts of Tangail. "Law enforcement agencies in those areas has been instructed accordingly, and they are now more active than before," he added. CID to investigate Sadeeq Agro owner for illegal cattle import and money laundering Addressing concerns over extortion and snatching ahead of Eid, he assured that authorities are taking steps to prevent such crimes. Commenting on the challenges faced by the Tourist Police, he acknowledged the shortage of personnel, lack of dedicated police stations, and vehicle shortages. Despite these limitations, he praised the force’s efforts, emphasising that an active Tourist Police would help attract more foreign visitors and contribute to the economy. HC issues rule on President's power to pardon convicts without policy

The committee formed by the Ministry of Law to review and recommend the withdrawal of politically motivated and harassing cases has so far suggested lifting 4,615 cases. Headed by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, the committee has held six meetings to assess the cases and determine their merit for withdrawal, according to an update issued by the ministry on Thursday. The statement highlighted that during its 15-year tenure, the ousted Awami League government had filed numerous cases against people, which were deemed politically motivated or meant to harass opponents. Following the political changeover on August 5 last year, the interim government pledged to ensure justice by withdrawing such cases. Over 2,500 politically motivated cases likely to be withdrawn: Law Adviser The move aligns with its broader commitment to upholding the rule of law and rectifying politically motivated legal actions. Further recommendations from the committee are expected as the review process continues.

The Appellate Division on Thursday acquitted BNP Acting  Chairman Tarique Rahman and businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun in a money laundering case. A four-member tribunal headed by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order, said the defendants’ lawyer, Advocate Md Maksud Ullah. Earlier, on Tuesday, the court set March 6 for delivering the verdict after concluding the hearing on the appeal against their conviction. On December 10 last year, the Appellate Division granted leave to appeal in the case following a petition by Mamun. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on October 26, 2009, with Cantonment Police Station in Dhaka, accusing Mamun of laundering Tk 20.41 crore to Singapore. According to the case statement, Mamun received the amount from Khadija Islam, chairman of Nirman Construction Company Ltd, in exchange for awarding the contract for an 80MW power plant in Tongi. SC stays 7 year jail sentence of Tarique in money laundering case The money was transferred to a Citibank NA account in Singapore under Mamun’s name. On July 6, 2010, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against Tarique Rahman and Giasuddin Al Mamun. The court framed charges against them on August 8, 2011. During the trial, testimonies from 13 witnesses, including FBI agent Debra Laprovette, were recorded. On November 17, 2013, Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 acquitted Tarique Rahman but sentenced Mamun to seven years in jail with a Tk 40 crore fine. Following the verdict, the ACC filed an appeal on December 5, 2013, against Tarique Rahman’s acquittal. The High Court accepted the appeal for hearing on January 19, 2014. After hearing both appeals, the High Court on July 21, 2016, sentenced Tarique Rahman to seven years in jail and fined him Tk 20 crore while upholding Mamun’s conviction. Gias Uddin Al Mamun acquitted in money laundering case Mamun later challenged the High Court verdict in the Appellate Division.

Police rescued a 50-year-old contractor who was injured in a mob attack at the T&T Wireless Tower area of Hatirjheel Police Station in the capital on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Mahfuzur Rahman Bipu, son of Fazlur Rahman from Daridpur's Boalmari upazila. Banned BCL leader arrested for offensive remarks on Prophet (PBUH) Md. Selim, a sub-inspector at Hatirjheel Police Station, said that Bipu, a construction contractor, went to the T&T Wireless Tower under their jurisdiction at 8:30 pm. The exact reason for his visit is yet to be determined. According to reports, Bipu was beaten and confined to a room inside the tower. Upon receiving information, Hatirjheel Police rescued him from the scene and took him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at 9:35 pm. Member of teen gang held in Dhaka’s Pallabi He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital, added the SI.