United News of Bangladesh

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday asked on-duty doctors to enhance the quality of services at the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital by ensuring professionalism, sincerity, and dedication.  The IGP gave the instruction during a view exchange meeting with physicians, nurses, employees and staff of Police Central Hospital in the city after inspecting various departments of the hospital in Rajarbagh in the city on Tuesday. In his speech, the IGP emphasized on modernizing the Central Police Hospital and directed the doctors and staff to maintain high standards of patient care. He appreciated the ongoing healthcare services provided to police personnel and their families, and expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses for their tireless efforts. IGP emphasizes maximum effort to combat crime in DMP’s monthly crime review meeting During the meeting with hospital doctors, officers, and staff, it was told that, on average, around 4,500 police officers and their family members receive medical services at the Central Police Hospital daily. Furthermore, approximately 1,500 police officers receive pathology reports every day. Last year, a total of 712 surgeries were successfully conducted in the eye department, while 6,467 surgeries were performed across other departments.  The IGP also inspected the hospital's digital healthcare services, including registration, OPD, consultations, medicine stores, and report delivery. He also visited various other departments such as the Emergency Unit, Radiology and Imaging, ICU, and Dialysis Unit. During the visit, he observed the service process for police members and their families and provided necessary guidance. During the IGP's inspection, Central Police Hospital Director (DIG) Sardar Nurul Amin, Additional DIG (Administration and Finance) Dr. Md. Emdadul Haque and Superintendent of the hospital Dr. ABM Md. Khorshed Alam were present.

Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has said over 2,500 politically motivated and harassment cases filed during the tenure of the Awami League government are expected to be withdrawn within a week. “The government has successfully identified over 2,500 cases in 25 districts which were politically motivated. We expect to withdraw these cases within seven days," he said at a view-exchange meeting with reporters on Tuesday at the Secretariat. All parties reach consensus on inclusive ‘July Declaration’: Asif Nazrul The Adviser said they are trying to review and withdraw cases filed under the Cyber Security Act. "Many cases have already been withdrawn and the remaining cases will be withdrawn in phases," he added.

The Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2,004 cases against traffic rule violators across various streets in the capital. As part of the operations, 71 vehicles were dumped, and 35 others were towed, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (media), Talebur Rahman on Tuesday The enforcement drive was conducted by eight traffic divisions of the DMP on Monday to ensure discipline on Dhaka’s roads. The DMP Traffic Division has assured that such drives will continue to maintain order and compliance with traffic laws in the city.

Voicing concern over the extent of extortion, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said extortionists must be brought to book no matter who they are. “Steps will be taken to intensify police patrols especially in the early morning hours and vehicles such as microbuses or private cars loitering unnecessarily should be thoroughly searched,” he said. The DMP Commissioner came up with the information while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the officer-in-charges of 50 police stations at DMP headquarters on Monday. He also urged the Officers-in-Charge (OCs) to ensure their presence in every alley and lane under their jurisdiction to address any emerging issues promptly. DMP files 2,073 cases for traffic rules violation “You must treat victims and those seeking police services with respect. Regular briefings with subordinates at the police station are essential,” said the DMP Commissioner. The more connections you build with people, the more information you will gather, he said. He also instructed the OCs to register all cases requiring legal action on time and to conduct proper and prompt investigations of General Diaries (GDs).

A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the president's power to pardon convicted offenders. Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan filed the petition on Monday. The petitioner has informed that a High Court bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury, will hear the petition next week. The Cabinet Secretary, the Law Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Parliament Secretary, and the Secretary of the President's Office have been named as respondents in the petition. 2 men sentenced to 10 years for harassing minor, inciting suicide The petition requests the High Court to issue a rule asking why the president's power to pardon convicted offenders without a policy should not be declared unconstitutional. Additionally, the petition seeks directions to formulate a policy for the remission, suspension, or reduction of sentences under Article 49 of the Constitution. The petition also asks the court to rule on why the respondents' failure to formulate a policy for the implementation of this provision of the Constitution should not be declared illegal, unconstitutional, and contradictory to Articles 7, 27, and 31 of the Constitution. Article 49 of the Constitution states: "The president shall have the power to grant pardon, delay or suspend the execution of any sentence, and remit, suspend or reduce any sentence awarded by any court, tribunal, or other authority." The petition points out that under Article 49, the president’s power to grant pardons is unrestricted and lacks any formal policy. There is no clear policy governing who can be granted a pardon and on what basis, which the petition argues contradicts Articles 7, 27, 31, and 32 of the Constitution. Appellate Division defers 13th Amendment review hearing to Feb 9 The petition also highlights the misuse of this power, citing examples such as the pardons granted to individuals like the brother of the former army chief, Joseph, and Aslam Fakir. It has become common for sentences to be remitted for political reasons, which the petition claims constitutes an abuse of power. “For years, the president's power to grant pardons has been widely misused. During the previous government’s tenure, convicted murderers were pardoned through the improper use of this power. This has led to growing public concerns about the fairness of justice, with many feeling disillusioned with the notion of receiving fair legal treatment. To prevent the ongoing misuse of this power, the petition asserts that it is essential to formulate a clear policy,” said petitioner Ishrat Hasan.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have detained a Sudanese woman while she was trying to trespass into the country through Feni border from India. The detainee is Eslam, 26, daughter of Abdel Rahim. Mohammad Mosharaff Hossain, commandant of the BGB-4 Battalion in Feni, said a patrolling team detained the Sudanese woman while she was trying to enter through Parshuram border in Purbo Nij Kalikapur area early Monday morning. Read: Bangladeshi youth ‘tortured by BSF’ near Feni border A mobile phone set, $100 dollars, 30 Indian rupees, and some dresses were seized from her, he said. On November 7 last, the BGB detained an Ethiopian national from the Feni border. On December 29, a Nigerian citizen named Gilbert Aphe was detained for illegal intrusion into Bangladesh through the border.

After months of discussion over reforms and uniform changes for law enforcement agencies, the government is set to introduce new attire for the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar. According to reliable sources, the Home Ministry's advisory council is expected to approve the new uniforms at a meeting today (Monday). Meanwhile, representatives from the police, Ansar, and RAB entered the meeting wearing 18 different uniform prototypes. “These designs are under consideration, and a final decision is anticipated to be made during the session,” said an official wishing anonymity. Read: Call for inclusive police reform to rebuild trust, accountability The initiative for this reform gained momentum following deliberations on police reforms, which began after August 5 last year. The upcoming changes aim to modernise the appearance of law enforcement personnel while aligning with their functional and operational requirements. Read more: No discussion on RAB reforms with US: Home Minister Officials have indicated that the selected uniforms will reflect a combination of practicality and professionalism, ensuring better identification and uniformity across the forces. Further details about the finalised designs and implementation timeline are expected to be announced following the meeting.

The Coast Guard seized two bulkheads carrying soil illegally extracted from the Meghna River in Chandpur in the early hours of Monday. Nine people were also detained in connection with the illegal soil extraction. Fraudster arrested for extortion using false identity Tipped off, a team from Chandpur Station Coast Guard conducted a drive around 2am in  Lalpur area of Bishnupur Union targeting bulkheads and dredgers operating illegally and seized two, said Lieutenant M Fazlul Haque, Commander of Coast Guard Chandpur Station. The seized bulkheads and the detained people were later handed over to Chandpur Sadar River Police for further action.

Detectives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested former MP Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin early Monday. DMP Deputy Commissioner (DC-media) Md Talebur Rahman said Dr Mohiuddin was arrested from Monsurabad Housing Society in Dhaka. Read: Former MP and Food Minister advocate Qamrul Islam arrested in Dhaka Elected from Dhaka-7 constituency with the ticket of the ousted Awami League, Mohiuddin is accused in several cases, including murder.

A Dhaka court has ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to seize income tax documents of former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel. Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court passed the order on Sunday after an appeal was lodged by ACC Deputy Director Kamalesh Mondol regarding the matter. In the application, the ACC official mentioned that a case was filed against Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel for allegedly acquiring immovable and movable assets worth Tk 2,27,59,308, which are inconsistent with his known sources of income. Hasina, Nowfel among others sued over killing of college student in Chattogram The former minister is also accused of having made suspicious transactions totalling nearly Tk 114 crore across 41 bank accounts, which are considered criminal offences. The ACC official further mentioned, "Nowfel is attempting to transfer or launder the money to other bank accounts. So, it is crucial to seize his income tax documents to ensure a fair investigation into the case."