United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court has passed a four-day remand for Rafiqul Islam, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station, in a case related to placing sand-laden trucks in front of the residence of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in 2013. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Afnan Sumi passed the remand after a hearing on Friday. Rafiqul Islam was presented in court, and Gulshan Police Sub-Inspector Raihanul Islam Saikat, the investigating officer in the case, sought a five-day remand. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki argued in favor of granting the remand, while the defense lawyer applied for the remand to be canceled and for bail. After the hearing, the court granted a four-day remand. Faruk Khan sent to jail after remand The case was filed on October 4 by Shariful Islam Shawon, a former president of Rajshahi University’s Abdul Latif Hall Chhatra Dal unit and a central executive member of the Krishak Dal. The charges include placing sand trucks in front of Khaleda Zia’s residence, creating public obstruction, inciting fear, and infringing on citizens' rights. In the case’s charge sheet, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is listed as the number one accused, followed by General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Other significant figures named include former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, and former SB Chief Monirul Islam. The case stems from an incident on December 28, 2013, when sand-filled trucks were scattered in front of Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence, "Firoza," obstructing her and the public. The incident occurred just days before the BNP called for a "March of Democracy" on December 29, 2013. Khaleda Zia was scheduled to speak at the march, but the obstruction prevented her from leaving her residence.

A Dhaka court today sent Trinamool BNP Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury to jail in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Shamim in 2023. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Begum Afnan Somi after police pleaded to keep Shamsher Mobin in custody until the investigation concludes. Trinamool BNP chief Shamsher Mobin arrested Earlier on October 17, Shamsher Mobin was arrested from Dhaka’s Banani DOHS area and later charged in the case. According to the case documents, the incident occurred during a political clash on October 28, 2023, when Awami League activists allegedly attacked a BNP rally in Nayapaltan, resulting in Shamim's death. The case was filed at Paltan Police Station on September 24, 2024.

The president of Sutrapur Thana Tati League, Abu Sayeed (59), was arrested by Sutrapur Police on Thursday night in connection with the murder of student Nadimul Hasan Elem. The arrest took place in the Sutrapur Thana area, as part of an ongoing investigation into the killing, which occurred during an anti-discrimination student movement in the capital. According to Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Media Division, Nadimul's mother, Kismat Ara, filed a case at Sutrapur Police Station on September 1, accusing Sayeed of involvement in her son's death. The arrest was made last night based on this case. The incident dates back to July 19, when protesters supporting the anti-discrimination movement staged a procession in front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Government College and Kabi Nazrul College in Sutrapur. The procession was met with an attack by leaders and activists of various Awami League affiliate organisations. The attackers opened fire on the protesters indiscriminately, leading to Nadimul, a student of Sheikh Burhanuddin Postgraduate College, being shot in the left eye. Nadimul was critically injured and rushed to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.

An accused in a theft case, Hridoy Sardar, was re-arrested within four hours after fleeing from the Khulna Metropolitan Magistrate's Court premises. He was apprehended on Thursday afternoon by police from the Katakhali area while attempting to escape to Bagerhat by bus. The incident occurred around noon when Hridoy managed to run away from the court premises. In response, the authorities issued a security alert, reinforced surveillance, and set up checkposts in strategic locations. His escape came during a court appearance related to a 2023 theft case, for which he was previously arrested by Daulatpur police on July 10 from Pabla Dutta Bari and sent to jail custody. The swift action of the Fakirhat police at the Katakhali checkpoint led to Hridoy’s capture, preventing his escape beyond the district. Following the incident, seven police personnel, including SI Kripasindhu, four assistant sub-inspectors, and two constables, were suspended for their failure to prevent the escape. The Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Khulna Metropolitan Police, Monira Sultana, confirmed the suspensions, stating that the accused fled while being escorted to the court and was apprehended later that day through coordinated efforts and a special security operation. Further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape and to ensure no lapses in security protocols occurred.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday night gave approval to arrest four police officials accused in cases of assaults and killings filed over the recent student-led upsurge. A notification, signed by Abu Sayeed, deputy secretary of the Public Security Division under the ministry, was issued in this regard. The accused are additional superintendents of police (add. SPs) Shahen Shah, Hasan Arafat, Jewel Rana and Md Rafiqul Islam. They were all promoted to Superintendent of Police (SP) during the Awami League regime and worked under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Read: No case, arrest for involvement in July-August mass uprising: Home Ministry Of them, Shahen Shah and Hasan Arafat were attached to the Detective Branch while Jewel in the Diplomatic Security division and Rafiqul in Gulshan division. With this, the ministry has so far permitted arrest of 30 police officials who were sued in cases filed for their alleged involvement in attacking and firing during the upsurge that ousted Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained six Bangladeshis including three of a family while allegedly trying to trespass into India through the border in Panchagarh on Thursday night. The detainees are Ganesh Roy, 43, his wife Babita Roy, 36, their son Drisha Roy, 10, Debendra Roy, 22, Joyanta Roy, 19, and Ripon Roy, 19. All the detainees hailed from several areas under Birganj upazila of Dinajpur. According to a media release sent from the BGB-56 in Nilphamari under Thakurgaon sector, a team of the frontier force conducted a drive in bordering Goalpara area under Panchagarh Sadar upazila at night after being informed that some Bangladeshis were trying to intrude into India with the help of brokers. Later they were detained. Read: 16 Bangladeshi fishermen retuned to BGB from Arakan Army custody During the primary interrogation, the detainees admitted they gave Tk one lakh in cash to brokers to help them go to India, according to the release. The detainees were handed over to the relevant police station to take legal actions against them, it said. Lt. Col Sheikh Mohammad Badruzzaman, commandant of the BGB-56 battalion, said they are vigilant to curb intrusion into India.

Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Kitchen Market president Abul Hossain and his younger brother Mahbub Hossain sustained bullet injuries on Thursday night as miscreants allegedly opened fire over the formation of the market committee. Witnesses said the miscreants riding on a motorbike opened fire on the duo who was sitting inside the office of the market committee adjacent to Shia Masjid around 9:30pm and fled the scene immediately. Traders of the market rushed them to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College where they have been undergoing treatment, they said. Of the injured, president Abul sustained injuries in legs while Mahbub in the back, said sources at the hospital. Shamim Reza, duty-officer of Mohammadpur police station, confirming the matter said that no case has been filed in this regard yet.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has strongly condemned the recent murder of Ayub Ali, a 47-year-old transgender woman. The brutal killing happened on October 12 in Tangail, the France-based group said in a statement received here on Friday. Ayub Ali’s body, bearing signs of violence, was discovered the next morning in an abandoned house near the new bus stand area of Tangail. According to police, her body was found with a cloth tightly wrapped around her neck, suggesting she may have been strangled after a struggle. A murder case has been filed, and investigations are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice. Robert Simon, French LGBT rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, expressed his outrage, stating that the murder is not only an attack on Ayub Ali but highlights the persistent danger faced by transgender people in Bangladesh and globally. “This crime reflects the deep-rooted discrimination and violence that the transgender community continues to endure,” he said. Simon alsemphasizesed that Ayub Ali’s determination to overcome adversity exemplifies the urgent need for societal change, asserting that “no one should face such a fate simply for living their truth.” Originally from Bhavanipur Patuli in Tangail Sadar Upazila, Ayub Ali faced societal rejection and limited job opportunities due to her gender identity. Like many in her community, she initially earned a living by collecting money in markets and on public transportation. Seeking a more dignified means of livelihood, Ayub Ali started a small cloth business, selling fabrics in rural areas and participating in festival sales during Eid and Puja. She was also an active performer, joining dance groups and acting in traditional “Yatrapala” performances, where she took on female roles. Read: Rights group JMBF demands release of Asaduzzaman Noor, Shahriar Kabir, journalists Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF and a Bangladeshi human rights lawyer living in France, condemned the murder as a violation of Ayub Ali’s fundamental right to live with dignity and safety. He urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure swift justice and address the systemic violence against the transgender community. “We stand in solidarity with Ayub Ali’s family and the transgender community in Bangladesh. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and the government must take concrete steps to protect the rights and lives of marginalized communities,” Islam said. In its statement, JMBF called on the Bangladeshi government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and take immediate steps to improve the safety and protection of transgender individuals. The organization stressed that Ayub Ali’s life story is a painful reminder of the prejudice and violence transgender individuals continue to face, but her resilience and pursuit of a better life remain an inspiration. Read more: JMBF condemns JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap event disruption JMBF reaffirmed its commitment to fighting for justice, equality, and human rights, stating it will continue to work toward a world where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can live free from fear and violence.

In a crackdown on illegal fishing during the hilsa breeding season, a mobile court detained 26 fishermen in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary area of Chandpur over the past 24 hours for violating a government ban. The operation was led by Chandpur Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Shakhawat Jamil Saikat and involved collaboration among the river police, coast guard, and fisheries department. This detention is part of the "Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2024," aimed at protecting the species during its peak breeding period. Mobile court sentences 4 for catching Hilsha in defiance of ban Authorities also seized 50 kilogrammes of hilsa, 10,000 metres of illegal fishing nets known as "current nets," and a fishing boat. Of those detained, 17 fishermen were sentenced to one month in prison without labor. The remaining nine, who were minors, were released issuing a warning and signing written bonds. "Our efforts are aimed at safeguarding hilsa breeding and ensuring compliance with the law," said UNO Shakhawat. The seized hilsa fish were distributed to local orphanages, and the illegal nets were burned at the Chandpur Coast Guard Station to prevent further use. 165 fishermen jailed for defying hilsha ban The government has imposed a 22-day fishing ban from October 13 to October 22 along a 70-kilometer stretch of the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpur to ensure the safe spawning of hilsa. During this period, catching, selling, storing, and transporting hilsa or any other fish is strictly prohibited. Violators may face fines of up to Tk 5,000, a maximum of two years in prison, or both.

The traffic division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 1,254 cases and collected Tk 51 lakh in fines during operations against traffic rule violators on Wednesday. Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), shared the information in a media release on Thursday. 7 held while trying to enter India through Dinajpur border Additionally, 78 vehicles were impounded, and 45 others were towed during the drives conducted in different parts of the capital. The drive will continue to maintain discipline, he said.