United News of Bangladesh

The traffic division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2,444 cases during drives against traffic rule violators. The drives were conducted on Sunday and Monday, said Talebur Rahman, DC (Media) of DMP on Tuesday afternoon. DMP files 1,520 cases for traffic law violations on Dec 14 Besides, 49 vehicles were impounded and 41 others were towed during the drives conducted in different parts of the capital. The drive will continue to maintain discipline, he said.  

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday decided to investigate the allegations of Tk 60,000 cr embezzlement against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and niece Tulip Siddique. ACC spokesperson Aktarul Islam said the decision was taken following a complaint of chairman of Nationalist Democratic Movement Bobby Hajjaj. On December 15, the High Court issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the inaction of the ACC in probing the allegations of graft against Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy and niece Tulip in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project should not be decaled illegal. Read: Enforced Disappearances Commission submits report finding Hasina’s involvement, recommends disbanding RAB The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued the rule  following a writ petition in this regard. The writ petition, filed on September 3 by Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), sought an investigation into the alleged embezzlement  of Tk 60,000 crore from the RNPP through a Malaysian bank by them. Fourteen people including Secretary of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ACC Chairman, Sheikh Hasina, Sajib Wazed Joy and Tulip Siddique were made respondents to the rule.

The High Court has observed that the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh contradicted its fundamental framework and rendered key democratic principles compromised, emphasising that there is no legal bar to reinstating the caretaker government system. A High Court bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury made the remarks while delivering its verdict on the much-debated Fifteenth Amendment and the abolition of the caretaker government system on Tuesday. The court ruled that the amendment, while not entirely void, had undermined the Constitution’s fundamental structure. Caretaker Issue: Verdict on validity of 15th Amendment today In its observations, the High Court said that the core of the Constitution lies in democracy, which can only be ensured through free, fair, and credible elections. It added that the caretaker government system, introduced through political consensus, had become an essential component of the Constitution’s basic framework. “The beauty of the Constitution lies in empowering the people. The people are the source of all power,” the court noted in its judgment, reinforcing the necessity of a mechanism to preserve democratic values. The High Court reiterated that the abolition of the caretaker government system disrupted the nation’s democratic structure, as it was originally enacted to ensure impartial elections and foster political stability. The court observed, “Caretaker governments were formed through political consensus and have since become a fundamental part of the Constitution’s foundation.” ACC sues former ministers, their families over corruption The ruling followed extensive hearings spanning 23 working days, during which key legal representatives from all concerned parties presented their arguments. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin represented the state. Senior lawyer Dr Sharif Bhuiyan argued on behalf of the petitioners, including Badiul Alam Majumdar of SUJAN, while BNP’s counsel included senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Barrister Badruddoza Badal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, and Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul. Jamaat-e-Islami was represented by Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir and Barrister Ehsan Siddique, while Advocate Ishrat Hasan spoke for Insaniyat Biplob. Additionally, Barrister Junaid Ahmed Chowdhury appeared for four other petitioners, and Barrister Hamidul Misbah argued as an intervener. Earlier, on December 5, the court had scheduled the verdict following the prolonged hearings on why the 15th Amendment, which abolished the caretaker government system, should not be declared illegal. Writ petition seeking probe into graft allegations against 51 judges, other staff rejected The caretaker government system, originally introduced to oversee impartial elections, was scrapped through the Fifteenth Amendment in 2011, a move that sparked criticism from various political quarters and civil society groups. Legal and political analysts have noted that the High Court’s ruling opens the door for revisiting and restoring the caretaker government framework, a measure many believe is crucial to holding credible elections and ensuring the nation’s democratic stability.

The High Court is set to deliver its verdict today (Tuesday) on the validity of the 15th amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the caretaker government system. The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury will pronounce the verdict as hearings concluded earlier this month. On December 4, the court concluded the hearing of two writ petitions challenging the legitimacy of the 15th amendment. Graft in RNPP project: HC issues rule over ACC’s inaction in probe Several political entities, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were involved in the petitions, with most of them advocating for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system. The 15th Amendment, passed by the ruling Awami League on June 30, 2011, formally abolished the provision of the caretaker government system.  The amendment also included a provision imposing the death penalty for the unlawful usurpation of state power, categorising it as treason. Writ petition seeking probe into graft allegations against 51 judges, other staff rejected The amendment also altered the timeline for parliamentary elections, stipulating that elections must be held within 90 days after the end of a parliamentary term.  Previously, elections were required to be held in the 90 days preceding the end of the term. In total, the 15th Amendment introduced 55 major and minor changes to the Constitution.

The High Court has issued a rule  seeking explanation as to why the inaction of the ACC in probing the allegations of  graft against ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy and niece Tulip in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project should  not be decaled illegal. The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Mubina Asaf  issued the rule on Sunday following a writ petition in this regard. Fourteen people including Secretary of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ACC Chairman, Sheikh Hasina, Sajib Wazed Joy and Tulip Siddique were made respondents to the rule. ACC sues Benazir, Matiur, family members  The writ petition, filed on September 3 by Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), sought an investigation into the alleged embezzlement  of Tk 60,000 crore from the RNPP through a Malaysian bank by them. A report on the alleged corruption involving Sheikh Hasina's family members in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was published in various newspapers on August 19.

The government has decided not to form an independent commission of inquiry to reinvestigate the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) killings, citing the ongoing legal proceedings related to the incident. The Home Ministry informed the High Court of this decision on Sunday. Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan informed the High Court bench, led by Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury, about this development. An initial proposal to form a commission to probe the mutiny was made earlier, but the Home Ministry's update on Sunday clarified that the decision had been put on hold due to two pending cases. On February 25-26, 2009, 74 people, including 57 army officers deputised to BDR, were killed during an apparent mutiny by the force's jawans. Pilkhana Massacre: HC issues rule on formation of investigation committee In the case filed over the incident, 152 people were sentenced to death, 161 were sentenced to life imprisonment, 256 were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and 278 were acquitted. But most victims' families, and many others, continued to maintain the real truth behind the unprecedented incident has never been uncovered. The case is currently being heard in the Appellate Division. As the other case is pending in the Bakshi Bazar Temporary Court, the formation of the committee proposed as per the petitioner's demand would conflict with the court order, so it is not possible to form the committee for the time being. The government is keen to strees it has considered the matter with great importance. But as the two cases are pending in the court, no decision could be taken at this stage, according to Home Ministry’s Assistant Secretary of the Public Security Division Md Mofizul Islam.  

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday filed six separate cases against ex-IGP Benazir Ahmed and former National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman and their family members on charges of acquiring illegal wealth and concealing information about their assets. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md. Akhter Hossain told UNB about the filing of the cases.Govt working to ease public suffering: Adviser Fouzul Kabir He said that the ACC filed two cases against Matiur and his wife Shammi Akhter Shibli while four separate cases against Benazir, his wife and two daughters.  

Ten joint teams have been constituted to investigate allegations of revenue evasion and money laundering involving prominent figures and business entities associated with the ousted Awami League government. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has uncovered the evidence of money laundering by influential business figures, according to sources at the Financial Institutions Division (FID) and Bangladesh Bank (BB). The FID disclosed that the teams were established following consultations with and advice from the Ministry of Finance. Online VAT services to remain suspended for 96 hours: NBR An officer nominated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will lead the investigation, with the BFIU acting as the coordinating body. Members of the joint teams include representatives from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police. These joint teams will delve into allegations of money laundering involving several high-profile groups and individuals, including the S Alam, Beximco, Nabil, Summit, and Aramit Groups. Additionally, the teams are investigating former State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury for alleged money laundering. A letter seeking information on their financial activities have already been dispatched to various countries, including the US, the UK, Singapore, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Senior FID officials revealed that on December 4, the BFIU sent a formal communication to the investigating agencies. The letter detailed recent findings, which indicate instances of loan funds being diverted from various scheduled banks into different sectors through corruption, fraud, and forgery, in violation of banking regulations. Pakistan keen to import medicine from Bangladesh The letter states, “Information has been found against these business groups of tax and customs evasion, money laundering under the guise of foreign trade, and various illegal methods of money laundering abroad. It is necessary to conduct further investigation into whether these groups and individuals have embezzled bank loan money, laundered money acquired through various legal or illegal means, or smuggled it abroad.” The investigation teams, comprising the ACC, CID, and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), are tasked with determining the extent of wrongdoing. Timor-Leste President seeks to boost trade ties with Bangladesh The ACC-nominated officer will lead the inquiry and, upon obtaining agency approval, will submit charge sheets to the court.

Police arrested five leaders and activists of Awami League and its wing organisation from Mirpur areas in the capital conducting separate operations on Friday night  in connection with the attack on the anti-discrimination student movement in the city’s Pallabi thana areas. The arrestees were identified as Pallabi thana Jubo League unit Joint Convener Md. Mamun (35), Pallabi thana Ward No. 6 Jubo League unit leader Md. Saju (34), Pallabi thana Ward No. 5 Awami League unit Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Secretary Md. Saikat Islam (19) and its activists-- Md. Bachchu Bepari (60) and Raju (52). Police arrest 5 suspects who committed robbery posing as RAB in Dhaka Sources at the Pallabi Police Station said leaders and activists of various Awami League organizations opened fire indiscriminately on students and the public during an anti-discrimination movement in front of Abul Taleb School of Mirpur-10 under Pallabi police station on the afternoon of July 19 this year.  Akram Khan Rabbi was seriously injured during the gunfire while he was crossing the road. Local people rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the doctor on duty declared him dead. Farukh Khan, the father of Akram filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station on 25 August in connection with the incident. Pallabi thana police started investigation into the Akram Khan murder case. After scrutinizing CCTV footage, a team of Pallabi Thana police conducted raids in Mirpur-11 area at around 11pm on Friday and arrested Md. Mamun and Md. Saju for being involved in the murder case. Deputy Commissioner (DC-Media) of the DMP Talebur Rahman said in another incident Md. Abid joined the movement with the students and the general people demanding the one-point demand of fall of the government in front of the Mirpur-10 Popular-2 Diagnostic Center under Pallabi Police Station on August 4. 2 smugglers arrested with 3,360 liters of diesel in Kurigram During this time, leaders and activists of Awami League and its affiliate wings resorted to attacks on the movement with local weapons and pistols. During the attack,  Abid was seriously injured by a bullet in his right eye. Later, he was taken to the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital for treatment. Abid's brother Jinnat Sayedee filed a case with Pallabi Police Station on November 12. After investigation of the case as well as scrutinizing CCTV footage, another team of Pallabi thana police conducted a raid at Adarshanagar area at around 10:00 pm and arrested Shaikat, Bachchhu and Raju.

The Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 1,799 cases during operations against traffic rule violators in the last two days in various areas of the capital. Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, shared this information in a media release on Saturday afternoon. During the operations, 52 vehicles were impounded, and 58 others were towed. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) carried out the operations on Thursday and Friday (Dec 12 and 13). The DMP's drives will continue to enforce traffic regulations in the Dhaka metropolitan area, Rahman added.