United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two more cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy on charges of abusing power to obtain plots from Rajuk. Director General of ACC, Akter Hossain, said the cases were filed with ACC's Dhaka Integrated District Office. Hasina and Joy were made the main accused in the cases. Deputy Director of ACC, Md Salauddin, filed a case against Sheikh Hasina and seven officials of Rajuk and Housing and Public Works Ministry. The accused are: Rajuk former chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, senior assistant secretary Purabi Golder, former member Shafiul Haq, former member (estate and land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Rajuk’s former member Major (retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (engineer) and Rajuk’s former deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif. The ACC filed another case against 15 people including Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Read more: Multiple ACC cases filed against Hasina's 'Tk 400 crore' APS The other accused of the case are: administrative official of Housing and Public Works Division Saiful Islam Sarkar, senior assistant secretary Purabi Golder, additional secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Secretary Shaheed Ullah Khandaker, former chairman of Rajuk Anisur Rahman Miah, Md Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Mohamamd Nasir Uddin, Major (retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, director Quamrul Islam, assistant director Mazharul Islam, deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif and director Nurul Islam. According to the case statement, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina misused the powers entrusted to her, concealing the existence of houses, flats or housing benefits in Dhaka city under her own ownership as well as in the names of her son, daughter, sister, niece and nephew in her affidavit, which is a violation of the laws, rules, and procedures regarding the allocation of the Purbachal New City Housing Project. By influencing the employees of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the authority responsible for the allocation of the project, and Rajuk, she abused her position as the highest-ranking public servant. As a result, she unlawfully occupied Plot No. 009 on Road No. 203, Sector 27, an extremely valuable diplomatic area within the Purbachal Housing Project. Earlier, on Monday, the ACC filed three cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and her children on charges of abusing power to obtain plots from Rajuk.

The High Court on Tuesday acquitted five people including former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar in a case filed under the Arms Act over the sensational 10-truck arms haul. The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Nasreen Akter passed the order after hearing. The others acquitted include— former DGFI director Maj Gen (retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, Mohsin Talukdar, Enamul Haque and Nurul Amin. The court also commuted the death sentences of five convicts to different years' of jail in the case. Of them, Indian separatist outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) chief Paresh Barua’s death sentence was reduced to 14 years jail, while death sentence of Akbar Hossain, Liakat Hossain, Hafizur Rahman and Shahabuddin  was commuted to ten years jail. Home Ministry reiterates action against illegal foreign nationals in Bangladesh Besides, the court also exempted four others including former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, Dwin Mohammad, former National Security Intelligence director general Abdur Rahim and Hazi Abdus Sobhan as they died during the trial proceedings. Motiur Rahman Nizami was executed in 2016 for crimes against humanity. All of them were given life imprisonment in the case. Earlier, on December 18, last year, the High Court acquitted six death-row convicts including Lutfozzaman Babar in a case filed under the Special Powers Act. On April 1, 2004, ten trucks of arms were seized at the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd jetty. Zia Orphanage graft case: Judgment on Khaleda's appeal Wednesday Two cases – one under the Arms Act and another under the Special Powers Act – were filed with Karnaphuli Police Station the following day, naming 50 people as accused in the arms case and 52 in the other. On January 30, 2014, Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge SM Mujibur Rahman sentenced 14 people to death under the Special Powers Act. They were also handed life imprisonment and seven years' imprisonment each under two sections of the arms case. The 14 sentenced to death included former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar, ULFA chief Paresh Barua, former DGFI director Maj Gen (retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, and former NSI director general Abdur Rahim. The charges were related to smuggling under the Special Powers Act.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has reiterated its warning to foreign nationals residing illegally in Bangladesh, urging them to regularise their status within the stipulated timeframe. It said that failure to comply will result in legal actions under the Foreigners Act, 1946. This announcement was made in a media release issued on Tuesday, signed by Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. The warning states, "It is hereby brought to the notice of all concerned that numerous foreign nationals are residing and/or working illegally in Bangladesh. In this regard, those foreign nationals residing or working in Bangladesh without proper authorisation are hereby notified to regularise their status by obtaining the necessary documents by 31 January 2025, as per the previously issued warning. Failing to do so will result in actions being taken against them under the Foreigners Act, 1946." Appellate Division upholds HC's dismissal of 5 labour cases against Dr Yunus This is not the first time the government has issued such a notice. Over the years, the authorities have been striving to bring undocumented foreign nationals under legal purview to ensure compliance with immigration laws. The ministry has urged foreign nationals to act promptly to avoid punitive measures, emphasising the government's commitment to maintaining law and order.

The verdict on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's appeal in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case will be delivered on Wednesday. The Appellate Division concluded the hearing on the appeals of Khaleda and two others against their conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Tuesday. After four days of hearing, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed fixed Wednesday to pronounce the judgment. The hearing on the appeals began on January 7, with the court addressing the separate appeals of Khaleda Zia, Sharafuddin Ahmed, and Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal. 63 lawyers get bail in case filed over Chinmoy issue Senior lawyers Joynul Abedin, Mahbub Uddin Khokon, M Badaruddin Badal, and Kaiser Kamal ,among others, represented Khaleda Zia during the hearing. Barrister Mohammad Ruhul Quddus Kajal appeared on behalf of Khaleda and Sharafuddin Ahmed, while senior lawyer SM Shahjahan represented Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal. Additional Attorney General Mohammad Arshadur Rauf and Aneekk R Haque represented the state while lawyer Asif Hasan represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Khaleda, also a former prime minister, filed the leave to appeal petitions with the Appellate Division on March 14, 2019 through his lawyer challenging the HC verdict. Khaleda Zia was initially imprisoned on 8 February 2018, when a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft incident. Later, in response to an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the High Court on October 30 of the same year, raised her jail term to 10 years. Appellate Division upholds HC's dismissal of 5 labour cases against Dr Yunus The graft case The Zia Orphanage Trust graft case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission in July 2008, accusing Khaleda of misappropriating over Tk2.10 crore that was received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank. In August 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing Khaleda and three others of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources and abusing power. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order by suspending her sentence on 25 March 2020, with the condition that she would stay at her Gulshan house and not leave the country. Clash on Ijtema ground: 21 including Saad’s follower get anticipatory bail Since then, her release term was extended every six months following the family's pleas. On August 6 last year, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The President passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6, last year.

Six more witnesses testified on Tuesday in the Niko corruption case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and seven others. Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5 recorded the testimonies bringing the total number of witnesses heard in the case to 38 out of 68. The court scheduled the next date for witness testimony on January 21. IGP emphasizes maximum effort to combat crime in DMP’s monthly crime review meeting On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case accusing Khaleda and four others of causing a loss of Tk 137.77 billion to the state by signing an oil and gas exploration deal with Canadian company Niko on behalf of the state. The anti-graft body pressed charges in court against 11 people, including Khaleda, in May 2008. The other accused in the case are former principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddique, Khandaker Shahidul Islam, CM Yusuf Hossain, former Bapex general manager Mir Mainul Haq, businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, former parliamentarian MAH Selim and former vice-president of South Asia affairs of Niko Kashem Sharif. Among the accused, BNP Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain and former secretary of Bapex Shafiur Rahman died during the trial proceedings. Constable Sujan shown arrested in Chankharpul killing case On March 19 last year, the same court rejected a acquittal petition filed by the defendants and ordered the framing of charges against eight of the accused. Of the accused, Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Mir Moynul Haque, and Kashem Sharif are absconding.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Monday stressed the need for unwavering commitment and professionalism to effectively combat crime. He said that police force must work with utmost honesty and integrity to prevent crimes such as extortion, robbery, and murder. All forms of criminal activity, including drug trafficking and extortion, must be tackled with the highest level of professionalism. Any obstacles must be overcome to fulfill our responsibilities, he added. The IGP was speaking at the monthly crime review meeting of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for December 2024, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in the city's Rajarbagh on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali. In his address, the IGP also urged police officers to remain dedicated and committed to justice, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe environment for citizens by eradicating crime. In his speech, DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali reiterated a zero-tolerance policy against extortionists and muggers, emphasizing the need to actively arrest offenders and enhance the operational efficiency of police stations. "Police personnel must perform their duties with responsibility and enthusiasm to rebuild public trust," he added. The DMP Commissioner also instructed officers to expedite the investigation process, ensure prompt responses to general diaries (GDs) within an hour, and take necessary measures without delay. He highlighted the importance of tracking stolen mobile phones and taking strict action against illegal trade in stolen devices. Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Md. Faruk Hossain presented a detailed report on the overall crime situation in December 2024. The report covered incidents of robbery, theft, homicide, unnatural deaths, road accidents, violence against women and children, drug and weapon recoveries, and other criminal cases. Outstanding contributions to maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety during December were recognized with awards for DMP officials across various categories. Senior police officials, including Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Sarwar, PPM-Service; Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Faruk Ahmed; Additional Police Commissioner (Detective) Rezaul Karim Mallik; Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam, PPM-Service; Additional Police Commissioner (CTTC) Md. Masud Karim; and other senior officers, participated in the meeting. Officers-in-charge of all DMP police stations and other officials were also present.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed three cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and her children on charges of abusing power to obtain plots from RAJUK. The cases were filed with the ACC's Dhaka Integrated District Office-1, said ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain. Sheikh Rehana, her son Redwan Mujib Siddique Bobby, and her daughter Azmina Siddique were named as the main accused in the three cases while Rehana’s another daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddique and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were named as co-accused. Apart from this, 12 to 13 people made accused in each case. In response to a question, Akhter Hossain said that British MP Tulip Siddique influenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in allocating plots in Purbachal New Town and the ACC has sufficient evidence in this regard. ACC deputy director Salahuddin filed the case against Sheikh Rehana while ACC assistant director SM Rashedul Hasan and assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya filed the cases against her son Redwan Mujib Siddique Bobby, and her daughter Azmina respectively. Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddique and officials of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), and 15 others were named as accused in the case filed against Sheikh Rehana. Read more: Hasina, Joy among 93 sued in attempt to murder case Besides, administrative officer of the Housing and Public Works Ministry Saiful Islam Sarkar, senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, additional secretary Aliullah, additional secretary (Administration) Kazi Washi Uddin, former RAJUK Chairman's PAA Md. Anisur Rahman Miah, former member (Estate and Land) Khurshid Alam, member Tanmoy Das (Development Control), former member Md. Nasir Uddin, member (Development) Major ( Retired) Eng. Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, assistant director Mazharul Islam, deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif and former director Nurul Islam were made accused. According to the case statement, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in collaboration with high-ranking officials of RAJUK allocated plots on political considerations through abuse of power and irregularities, The allocated plots are located on Road No. 203 in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 of Purbachal New Town. The allocation includes three plots of 10 katha each, totaling 30 kathas of land. Earlier on Sunday, the ACC filed a case against ousted PM Hasina, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul and 16 others after finding evidence. The ACC announced on December 27 that it would investigate the allegations of irregularities in the allocation of plots in Purbachal against Sheikh Hasina and six members of her family. The ACC decided on December 22 to investigate allegations of laundering US Dollar 300 million (Tk 30,000 crore) abroad against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Earlier, a five-member investigation team was formed to investigate allegations of corruption worth Tk 80,000 crore against Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana's family in various projects.

A Chattogram court on Monday granted bail to 63 lawyers in a case filed over the chaos on a court premises centering the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in November last year. Chattogram Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sarkar Hassan Shahriar passed the order, said public prosecutor of the court Advocate Mafizul Haque Bhuiya. The 63 lawyers sought bail after surrendering before the court and the court granted the bail on bond of Tk 1000 till the submission of the chargesheet in the case. Jajira thana OC found dead at police station compound Condemning the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, Subhrajit Chowdhury, senior lawyer of the Supreme Court and also the counsel of the 63 lawyers, said Alif’s elder brother filed the case over vandalism. Security was strengthened on the court premises over the bail hearing of the 63 lawyers. A check-post was set up at the entrance of the court and police, Rab, BGB and Army members remained alert since morning. Meanwhile, soon after the court order, a group of people staged a demonstration expressing dissatisfaction over the court order. On November 26, last year, Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Judge Kazi Shariful Islam rejected the bail plea and ordered Chinmoy Das to be sent to jail. Roads and Highways Department starts eviction drive in Natore Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes among law enforcers, agitated protestors, and supporters of Chinmoy Krishna following the denial of his bail petition in a sedition case. Protestors vandalised several motorcycles and vehicles parked on the court road. On November 30, Jamal Uddin, father of Alif, filed a case against 31 people. Another case was filed against 116 identified people and 400-500 unidentified people in connection with carrying out attacks of lawyers and vandalism. Khane-e-Alam, brother of Alif, filed the case. 70 lawyers were made accused in the case.

A Khulna court on Monday sent eight members of Khulna Bar Association to jail in a case filed during the July uprising. Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sharif Hossain Haidar passed the order after rejecting their bail petitions. Appellate Division upholds HC's dismissal of 5 labour cases against Dr Yunus Those sent to jail are Al-Amin Ukil, former member of Khulna Metropolitan unit Jubo League, Tamal Kanti Ghosh, a Swechasebak League leader, Abdul Kuddus, Sohel Pervez, Sumonto Kumar Biswas, former Chhatra League leader Sheikh Shamim Ahmed and Saidur Rahman Tutul and Mehedi Hasan. Two arrested in connection with attack on Elephant Road businessman Emam Hossain, member of the Khulna Bar Association, filed a case against 28 people including former president of Khulna Bar Association and also the president of Sadar upazila unit AL Saiful Islam in connection with their alleged involvement in attacking students during the student-led movement in Khulna, said Advocate Nurul Hasan, a counsel of the plaintiff. Among the accused, 23 people secured bail for six weeks from the High Court. 3 muggers arrested from Dhaka’s Pallabi: DMP AL leader Saiful, General Secretary of Sadar upazila unit Awami League Tarik Mahmud, District unit AL general secretary Sujit Kumar Odhikari, Anisur Rahman Paplu and Advocate Jesmin Parvin Joly went into hiding.

Police have arrested two persons in connection with the attempted murder of businessman Ehteshamul Haque on Elephant Road in the capital on Sunday. The arrestees were identified as Asiful Haque Asif, alias Jhontu (32), and Md Kawsar Mridha (24). According to New Market police, the incident occurred near the western corner of ECS Computer City (Multiplan Center) at Elephant Road around 10:40 pm on Friday (January 10). A group of miscreants equipped with sharp weapons attacked Ehteshamul Haque, leaving him critically injured. During the attack, Md Wahidul Hasan Dipu, president of the Elephant Road Computer Traders Association, also came under attack by the same group when he exited the market in his car from the market’s ground floor. Both victims were rushed to nearby Popular Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi, where Ehteshamul Haque remains under treatment. A case was filed with New Market Police Station naming 10 people and 20-25 unnamed others. The case statement alleged that the attackers had been extorting traders at the market and threatening those who refused to pay tolls. Acting on intelligence and CCTV footage, a police team led by Assistant Commissioner (New Market Zone) Tariq Latif arrested Kawsar Mridha from Jagannath Saha Road at noon around 12:00 pm on Sunday. Later, Asiful Haque was arrested from a mess near Hazaribagh Girls' School at around 1:00 pm on the same day, said Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the DMP Talebur Rahman. Further legal proceedings are underway, and efforts to apprehend other suspects continue, he said.