United News of Bangladesh

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained five Bangladeshis who had illegally entered India and were attempting to return home through the Beanibazar border in Sylhet on Thursday. The detainees are Ayesha Khatun, 37, wife of Mintu Sheikh of Kadmari village in Benapole of Jashore; Roksana Khatun, 40, wife of Lal Mia of the same area; Rumana, 21, wife of Badsha Sheikh of Brahmanbaria; Badsha Sheikh, 27; their three-year-old son Mahdi Islam. According to a media release from the BGB, a patrol team detained them at the border near Barotal adjacent to pillar no-1359/5 under Beanibazar upazila along the Bangladesh-India border early Thursday. Read: BGB detains 47 Bangladeshi nationals near Maheshpur border of Jhenaidah During interrogation, the detainees informed that they had intruded into India illegally on December 3 through Bagara border in Cumilla with the help of brokers. They were caught by Indian police at a customs checkpoint in Tripura while traveling by bus to Guwahati. After being detained for two days, they attempted to return to Bangladesh, the BGB release said. The detainees were handed over to the relevant police station while a case was filed in this connection, the release added.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has emphasized the importance of the role of police in ensuring stability and law and order in the country. He urged police personnel to perform their duties with integrity and courage, overcoming all forms of fear. The IGP made the remarks while addressing a welfare meeting organized by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh Police Lines on Thursday with DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali in the chair. Read: Ensure no innocent is harassed in post-Aug 5 investigations: IGP The police head addressed the government's formation of various reform commissions, including the Police Reform Commission. He also said that the commission is working to ensure that the police operate independently and do not become tools of political parties, stressing the need for every member of the police force to carry out their responsibilities impartially. Addressing concerns raised by police personnel, the IGP reassured them that no action would be taken against officers who acted lawfully during the July-August public uprisings. Read: Some officers violated law, failed to perform duties during July-August protests: IGP He informed that a large number of officers have recently been transferred to different units and instructed unit heads to foster unity and avoid any division between new and existing members. "Everyone must work together as a team to uphold the pride of DMP." DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali underscored the importance of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police as the largest unit of the Bangladesh Police. "The reputation of the Bangladesh Police largely depends on the performance of the DMP." During the meeting, officers of various ranks from the DMP shared specific issues and requests with the IGP. The police chief attentively listened to their concerns and assured them of appropriate solutions. Additional Police Commissioners Faruq Ahmed (Admin), Md. Israil Hawlader (Crime and Operations), Rezaul Karim Mallik (Intelligence), Khondkar Nazmul Hasan, PPM (Bar) (Traffic), Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali (Logistics, Finance, and Procurement) and Md. Masud Karim (CTTC), among others, attended the meeting.

The High Court (HC) on Thursday acquitted Gias Uddin Al Mamun, a businessman and close friend of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a money laundering case scrapping his 7-year jail sentence. An HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain passed the order after hearing a petition submitted challenging the judgment. Lawyers Omar Sadat and Sabbir Hamza stood the petitioner while Asif Hasan for the Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ACC). On September 22, 2011, the ACC filed a case against Gias Uddin Al Mamun with Cantonment Police Station in Dhaka. According to the case statement, M Shahjad Ali, the then chairman of BTL and Globe Pharmaceuticals, was the Bangladesh agent for a Dutch contracting company that won a tender to modernise the railway signaling system. In 2003, when the work order was finalizsed, Gias Uddin Al Mamun allegedly demanded an illegal commission for the work. In 2004, Shahjad deposited Tk 6, 015, 7762 into Mamun's NatWest Bank account in London. On April 24, 2019, the Special Judge Court of Dhaka sentenced Gias Uddin Al Mamun to seven years in jail and imposed a fine of Tk 12 crore. The court also ordered the confiscation of 44,610.08 British pounds from Mamun's NatWest Bank account. Mamun was arrested on January 30 in 2007 and was released from prison on August 6 this year.

The High Court has acquitted Aman Ullah Aman, an adviser to the BNP  Chairperson), from a seven-year jail term handed down by a lower court in a case of alleged extortion. A High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayetur Rahim delivered the verdict on Thursday. Senior advocates Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Nazmul Huda argued on behalf of Aman, with legal assistance from Tariq Bhuiyan. Tarique’s homecoming ‘looms large’ following steady acquittal in multiple cases The case dates back to 6 March 2007, when a complaint was filed at the South Keraniganj Police Station by Rafiqul Alam, a resident of Purba Aganagar, accusing Aman of extortion. The allegations are related to an incident on June 26, 2004, where Aman was accused of collecting Tk 5 lakh in two installments in 2005. Aman was shown arrested in the case on March 7, 2007, and the trial court sentenced him on May 8, 2008 to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a Tk 1 lakh fine. After the conviction, Aman appealed to the High Court in 2008, challenging the verdict. After a prolonged legal battle, the High Court's decision now clears him of the charges.

The International Crimes Tribunal has imposed a ban on the dissemination of inflammatory remarks by Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the media and on social media platforms. A three-member bench, led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza, issued the order on Thursday. The Tribunal also directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove the remarks from digital platforms. Interim Govt to pursue crimes against humanity charges at ICC against Hasina regime: Chief Adviser Yunus Earlier on Thursday, the prosecution filed a petition with the Tribunal requesting a ban on the circulation of Sheikh Hasina's controversial statements. Prosecutors argued that Sheikh Hasina, who is wanted for charges related to genocide and crimes against humanity, has been making provocative statements while living in exile in India. The petition specifically sought to block any statements by her that incite hatred against the country, its people, or the current government on social media and in the media. Earlier, on November 18, the Tribunal instructed a one-month investigation into Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in the July-August genocide case.

The High Court has set December 17 for the verdict on a rule issued regarding the validity of the 15th Amendment of the Constitution, which abolished the caretaker government system. A High Court bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury announced the date for the ruling. Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Asad Uddin represented the state during the proceedings. HC orders Harris Chowdhury’s burial with state honour Senior lawyer Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner, Badiul Alam Majumdar, representative of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik. The BNP was represented by senior lawyers, including Zainul Abedin, Barrister Badaruddin Badal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, and Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir and Barrister Ehsan Siddique argued on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami. Earlier, the rule was issued to address the legality of the 15th Amendment and the abolition of the caretaker government system. BNP's Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat-e-Islami's Secretary-General Mia Golam Parwar had joined the proceedings as parties in favor.

Law enforcement officials have arrested Chandan, the prime suspect in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, from Kishoreganj. The arrest took place early Thursday morning. Chandan, from the Methorpatti area of Sebak Colony, Bandar Road in Chattogram city was apprehended near Bhairab Railway Station after he got off a train on Wednesday evening around 7:30 pm. According to police, he was reportedly loitering near the station before being taken into custody. Ctg lawyers demand CMP commissioner's resignation over Adv Alif’s murder The arrest was confirmed by Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the Media and Public Relations Division of Chattogram Metropolitan Police. This development follows the issuance of arrest warrants by the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on December 2, which named nine individuals as suspects in the case. Earlier, on November 29, a case was filed by Alif's father, Jamal Uddin, accusing 31 named individuals and 10 to 15 unidentified others of involvement in the killing.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has arrested three individuals during anti-drug operations in Dhaka's Gulshan and Paltan areas. The arrestees are Kazi Maruful Islam (26), Md. Ismail Bepari (30), and Sakib Naeem (27). A team of the DNC, led by the Ramna Circle Enforcement Team and Assistant Director Rahul Sen, conducted the raids in Dhaka’s Gulshan and Paltan areas on Wednesday and arrested them, said Shamim Ahmed, deputy director of DNC's Dhaka Metro Office (North). The operation also resulted in the seizure of various drugs and cash. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the drugs were smuggled from Thailand and Canada and were being distributed discreetly through app-based groups, he added. Private institution teachers to get transfer opportunity: Education Adviser The seized items include: Tetrahydrocannabinol-infused kush (1.040 kg), Tetrahydrocannabinol-infused candy (60 grams), Liquid cannabinoids (38 grams), Magic mushrooms (18 grams), Foreign liquor (8.5 liters), Cash from drug sales (Tk 105,000). The narcotics were reportedly sold to affluent young adults in areas like Gulshan and Banani. In addition, a case was filed against the suspects under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018.  

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the imprisonment of Awami League leaders Amir Hossain Amu and Kamrul Islam in connection with a case filed over allegations of genocide. The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, Chairman of the lCT, gave the order on Wednesday. The other members of the tribunal are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. Ex-law minister Anisul sent to jail after 5-day remand in murder case Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said, “We filed a petition to present them before the tribunal. The charges against them were read out, and the tribunal, being satisfied, ordered their presentation on December 4.” Prosecutor Tamim detailed the allegations, saying that Kamrul Islam, a presidium member of the Awami League at the time, allegedly ordered the killing of student activists as part of party decisions. In his constituency, Dhaka-2, multiple student activists were shot and killed. Amir Hossain Amu and Kamrul Islam are among several senior leaders of the Awami League and its allies facing trial at the ICT for crimes against humanity and genocide.

The High Court has ordered the burial of BNP leader Abul Harris Chowdhury with state honour as a freedom fighter, following a DNA test that confirmed his identity. Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Mobina Asaf’s HC bench issued the order on Wednesday after receiving a report related to a writ petition filed by Chowdhury’s daughter Barrister Samira Tanzin. The DNA test, conducted after exhuming his body, confirmed that the person buried under the name “Mahmudur Rahman” in the Jamia Khatamun Nabiyyin Madrasa cemetery in Savar, Dhaka, was indeed Harris Chowdhury. Harris Chowdhury: A mystery resolved through DNA confirmation Authorities are currently holding his body at the Dhaka Medical College morgue, and they will transfer it to his family graveyard in Kanaighat of Sylhet, for burial. Samira expressed her relief, highlighting the long-standing questions and doubts surrounding her father’s death. “As a child, it is deeply tragic and painful to have doubts about my father’s death. People still ask if he really died. We are being harassed. That is why we turned to the court to end this,” she said. The court issued a rule to ensure authorities would issue a death certificate in his name, withdraw the Interpol red notice against him, and arrange for his burial with the proper recognition as a ‘heroic’ freedom fighter. This case dates back to 2021 when reports revealed that Harris Chowdhury had been buried under the name ‘Mahmudur Rahman’ on September 4 of that year.