law-order
3 held for importing liquor under false declaration
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have detained three people over the seizure of large consignment of foreign liquor imported under false declaration and through tax evasion from Narayanganj’s Sonargaon and the city’s Airport area.
The detainees were identified as Md Nazmul Molla, 23, Md Saiful Islam, 34, and Abdul Ahad, 22, of Munshiganj.
Acting on a tip-off, members of Rab-11 detained Najmul and Saiful after conducting a drive at a parking stand on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sonargaon and seized two containers loaded with 36,816 bottles of foreign liquor worth Tk 37 crore on Saturday night, said ANM Imran Khan, Assistant Director (ASP) of Legal and Media Wing of Rab, in a press release on Sunday.
The law enforcers also seized Tk 98.19 lakh and a large amount of foreign currencies after conducting a drive at a house in the city’s Wari area in this connection, the release added.
Read: Four held over CU student assault
On Sunday morning, Rab members detained another culprit Ahad from the city’s Airport area.
During primary interrogation, the detainees confessed their involvement in the importation and marketing of the drugs.
They used to carry out this illegal drug importation activity through the connivance of C&F using documents of different companies, They kept those in warehouses at Munshiganj's Srinagar, Dhaka's Bangshal and Wari after importing under false declaration and through tax evasion, it added.
Legal steps are underway against the detainees, reads the release.
Shakib serves legal notice to Banglalink, Jamuna Bank ; demands Tk 5.8 crore fine
Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has sent a legal notice to telecom operator Banglalink and Jamuna Bank demanding fine for illegally using his photos and brand image for business purposes.
Shakib’s lawyer Ashraful Hadi sent the notice to Banglalink Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jamuna Bank through registered post on Sunday seeking Tk 5,80,50,000 fine from these organisations.
Both the organisations have been asked to remove Shakib’s photos, brand, signature etc used in different places for business purposes within seven days.
The companies have been warned of legal action for failure to follow the notice.
Also read: Shakib to skip West Indies ODIs, Zimbabwe tour
According to the notice, on January 21 in 2014, a deal was signed between Shakib and Banglalink Digital Communication Ltd for using Shakib’s popular brand image on a limited scale for their business purpose.
Although the deal expired on January 20, 2016, the company continued to use the brand image of the Bangladesh team cricket allrounder and then he decided to send a legal notice, said barrister Ashraful Hadi.
“Jamuna Bank was also sent the notice as it’s ATM booth used Banglalink’s advertisement with Shakib’s photos. Which means Jamuna Bank has business relationship with Banglalink and they had been indirectly using his brand image illegally' ”said Ashraful hadi.
Also read: “Mentally and physically unfit” Shakib to stay away from cricket: Jalal
Four held over CU student assault
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has detained four people in connection with the alleged assault of a female student of Chattogram University that sparked protests on the campus.
The detainees have been identified as Mohammad Azim, 23, son of Amir Hossain of Noakhali, Nur Hossain alias Shaon, 22, son of Zabed Hossain of Fatehpur, Nurul Absar alias Babu, 22, son of Belayet Hossain of Feni district, and Masud Rana alias Masud, 22, son of A Mannan of Jhalakathi district.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-7 conducted drives in Hathazar and Raozan upazilas and detained them on Friday night, said Commanding officer of Rab-7, Lieutenant Colonel MA Yusuf, on Saturday morning.
Read: 3 held for thrashing disabled man in Bhola
During questioning , the detainees have confessed to their guilt, said Rab.
On Sunday, a female student was physically assaulted by five youths while she was going to the Botanical Garden from Pritilata Hall of the campus with his friend around 10pm.
They had also captured the incident on video and threatened them to make it viral. Later, they fled with the mobile phones and wallets of the two students.
A five-member body has already been formed to look into the matter while a complaint was lodged with Hathazari Police.
Meanwhile, Chattogram University (CU) students staged a protest on the varsity campus on Wednesday night, demanding justice for the female student.
The students had also protested against the university’s diktat asking students to return to the campus latest by 10pm.
3 held for thrashing disabled man in Bhola
Three people caught on video thrashing a disabled man in Bhola have been arrested, police said on Friday.
The arrestees have been identified as Taposh Mridha, Promila and Rina, all residents of Nomo village in Lalmohan upazila, said Md Maksudur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Lalmohan police station.
Police swung into action after the video of the incident went viral on social media.
Also read: Caught on video for thrashing thief, grocer held in Chuadanga
In the video, the three people could be seen brutally beating up Joy Chandra Mistry with sticks after tying him to a pole inside a temple in Nomo village.
Joy had to endure the torture till his father rescued him and took him to upazila health complex. His only crime was that he had slapped one of Taposh’s relatives Thursday morning, following an argument, locals said.
A case has been filed in this regard after the victim's father lodged a complaint against five people, said OC Maksudur Rahman.
Also read: Man arrested for thrashing two girls in Savar
Joy’s father Shyamol Chandra Mistry said, “They have tortured my son many times in the past as he is disabled and we are poor. I demand justice for my son.”
DSCC conducts drive at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital for non-payment of holding taxes since 1998-99
A team of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has conducted a drive at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital as it has not paid the holding tax since the fiscal year 1998-99.
Holding tax is nothing but property tax paid to the local civic body annually.
A team led by DSCC Property Officer and Executive Magistrate Muniruzzaman conducted the drive to seal the hospital on Wednesday as it did not pay the holding tax dues of 24 years despite repeated notices.
This hospital has not paid DSCC the holding tax dues of Tk2.4 crore for 24 years, the civic body said in a release.
"Despite many notices and reminders for over a year, the hospital authorities failed to respond," said Muniruzzaman.
Also read: Zafrullah, 4 others sued over ‘negligence in treatment’ at Gonoshasthaya Kendra
"However, during the drive, the hospital authorities paid Tk10 lakh initially and promised to pay the remaining dues after consultation with the mayor," he added.
Also read: Gonoshasthaya plasma centre opened
Dhaka, New Delhi reiterate resolve to bring down border killings to zero level
The 5-day director general (DG) level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BSF) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) ended here at BGB headquarters renewing the consensus in bringing down the border killings to zero level.
The conference, which began on July 17, ended today (Thursday) with signing a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).
DG BGB Major General Shakil Ahmed was leading 20-member Bangladesh delegation, while his counterpart DG BSF Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh led a 9-member Indian delegation at the talks.
Both sides agreed to bring down the killing, injuring and beating unarmed nationals of both countries to zero by adopting extra precautionary measures along the border, such as, increasing Coordinated Patrols specially during the latter part of Night until morning.
Also read: BGB-BSF DG-level border conference begins in Dhaka
Both sides also agreed to undertake joint efforts to bring down the number of incidents of assault and border crime by intensifying various initiatives like public awareness programmes, undertaking appropriate socio-economic developmental programmes in vulnerable areas, educating border population about the sanctity of IB (international Border) and also agreed to preventing criminals and inhabitants from crossing the IB.
Briefing reporters at the BGB headquarters after signing the JRD, BGB DG Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed said that they have both agreed to bring down the border killings to zero with the joint initiatives of the two countries.
The BGB chief also said that the issue of border killings was discussed in the meeting very seriously and "we agreed that both sides not only will reduce border killings, but reduce the incidents to zero level."
He said the two sides openly discussed all issues related to the border including killings at the border. "We have agreed on everything," he said.
Also read: BGB, BGP to work together to step up border security
When asked why casualties are not stopped despite agreement reached every year BSF chief Pankaj Kumar Singh said, "we hear the same question every year. Our relationship with Bangladesh is very different and different from western countries. We are constantly discussing the border issue at various levels."
Criminals are in both countries. Both countries have good and bad people. The improvement in border killing situation was good last year. This year is getting better. There are good and bad people in every society of the two countries, the DG BSF added.
Claiming that relationship between the two border forces are better than before, he also said that the BSF have started using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killings.
Meanwhile, the conference highlighted the importance of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in curbing the menace of smuggling contrabands, such as, various narcotics (especially Yaba), fire arms, FICN, gold etc and both sides agreed to remain cautious and steadfast to stop smuggling through sharing of real time information and also agreed to active anti-smuggling efforts through optimum involvement and pursuance.
To enhance mutual understanding and bi-lateral relation between the two friendly forces both sides agreed to resume all activities under the framework of CBMP (Coordinated Border Management Plan) as the COVID situation improves gradually.
Finally, both sides agreed to reflect the commitment and decision of the conference at the ground level in true spirit to maintain the peace and tranquility at the border.
No more travelling on train roofs in Bangladesh
Passengers will no longer be allowed to travel on top of trains in Bangladesh.
In a landmark order aimed at curbing the menace, the High Court on Thursday asked the railway authorities in Bangladesh to ensure that no one travels on train roofs.
A bench of justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Khizir Hayat passed the order verbally.
"From today, no passenger will be allowed on train roofs. The officer concerned will be suspended if our order is violated," the court said.
The HC also asked the railway authorities to submit an action taken report by July 31 on its order and blackmarketing of train tickets.
July 31 has been fixed as the next date of hearing in the matter.
Read:HC wants to know ACC’s steps after DU student's protest against ‘railway mismanagement’
On Wednesday, the court wanted to know the stance of Dhaka University (DU) student Mohiuddin Rony’s protest about his six-point demand as he staged demonstrations at Kamalapur station from July 7-18 against Bangladesh Railways mismanagement.
The High Court also wanted to know what steps the Anti-Corruption Commission took after Rony’s protest against corruption in the country's railway sector.
Following the court's order, the railway authorities said that a probe body was formed to look into the allegations.
A letter of the probe body was also submitted to the court by Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin. Three officials of Bangladesh Railways were also present there.
The court also questioned the three staffers as to why there should be mismanagement in the railway sector? "Why should tickets be sold in the black market? Why are people forced to travel on the roof of a train?"
Rony staged a one-man protest against corruption in the country's rail administration for 13 days till Tuesday.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) on Wednesday fined Shohoz.com, an online ticketing platform of the country, Tk 2 lakh after finding evidence of mismanagement in selling tickets of Bangladesh Railways.
As per the decision of DNCRP, Roni will get 25 per cent of this penalty (Tk 50,000).
HC wants to know ACC’s steps after DU student's protest against ‘railway mismanagement’
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday wanted to know what steps the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken after Dhaka University student Mohiuddin Rony’s protest at the capital's Kamalapur railway station against corruption in the country's railway sector.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat wanted to know it verbally after seeing media reports in this regard.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin represented the state and lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan stood for the ACC.
Later ACC counsel Khurshid Alam Khan said the bench asked him whether the ACC knows about the protest of a student in handcuffs against railway’s syndicate corruption. “If ACC is aware then what action they have taken over the allegation?”
Mohiuddin Rony staged a one-man protest against corruption in the country's rail administration for 13 days till Tuesday.
He was forced to come off his daily program at Kamalapur Station on Tuesday. Instead he submitted a memorandum containing his demands and grievances to the director general of Bangladesh Railway.
He started protesting alleged mismanagement and corruption at Bangladesh Railway before Eid ul Azha, after falling victim to the dodgy e-ticketing system.
"Kamalapur Station authority stopped me from entering the station territory yesterday, and today when I went to submit my memorandum to the director general of Bangladesh Railway (at Rail Bhaban), Ansar-police tried to block me from entering the building," Rony said.
He had been showing up at the station since July 8, with a 6-point charter of demands to reform the railway system.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) on Wednesday (today) fined Shohoz.com, an online ticketing platform of the country, Tk 2 lakh after finding evidence of its mismanagement in selling tickets of Bangladesh Railways.
As per the decision of the DNCRP, Roni will get 25 per cent of this penalty (Tk 50,000).
Why not directive to issue gazette declaring Nazrul as national poet: HC
The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule questioning why instructions should not be given to the authorities concerned to issue a gazette declaring poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as the national poet of Bangladesh.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel issued the ruling after hearing a writ petition in this regard.
Cultural Affairs Secretary, Bangla Academy Director General and Executive Director of Kabi Nazrul Institute were asked to respond to the rule within next four weeks.
Advocate Asad Uddin appeared for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas and Abul Kalam Azad Daud for the state.
Read: HC orders providing Tk 5 lakh to legal guardian of the baby born on road in Mymensingh
On June 22, Advocate Asad on behalf of 10 Supreme Court lawyers filed a writ petition with the High Court bench.
“Though people calls Kazi Nazrul Islam as the national poet of Bangladesh, but there is no state recognition through issuing a gazette to this effect,” said Asad.
Nazrul's name has been mentioned as the national poet in two laws of Bangladesh. He was also mentioned as national poet in various government events but all are indirect recognition. Such acknowledgment may be faded in future, said the petitioner.
Besides, the poet's family has been demanding the official recognition of Nazrul as the national poet. Nazrul researchers and people related to literature and culture have also demanded it.
“But so far no visible initiative has been taken by the government in this regard. Therefore, a writ petition was filed as a conscious citizen of the country and a high court lawyer,” said Azad.
The other petitioner lawyers are — Muhammad Misbah Uddin, Md Zobaidur Rahman, Al Reza Md Amir, Md Rezaul Islam, KM Mamun-Or-Rashid, Md Asraful Islam, Shahinur Rahman, Md Rezaul Karim and Md Alauddin.
On May 31, these lawyers also served a legal notice to the government asking it to issue a gazette notification in this regard.
Two power officials get 5 yrs in jail in graft case
A court in Barishal has sentenced two engineers of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) to five years in jail for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 1.36 crore.
Barisal's Divisional Special Court judge Mehdi Al Masud handed down the judgment to the convicts -- Lakshmi Narayan Bhuya and Hanif Hossain Gazi of PGCB's Khulna Circle -- on Tuesday.
The court also imposed a whopping fine of Tk 35 lakh on each of them, but acquitted Anwar Hossain, a former security inspector of PGCB, for lack of evidence.
Read: Covid report scam: JKG’s Sabrina, hubby get 11 years in jail
On August 20, 2017, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against the three for embezzling money from a project.
On January 21, 2018, the investigation officer in the case submitted a chargesheet against them.