United News of Bangladesh

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today emphasised a firm stance on police officers absent from duty between August 1 and September 17, 2024. He made the remark following the closing parade of the 40th BCS (Ansar) Cadre Officers and the 25th Batch (Male) Recruit Sepoy Basic Training at the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Academy in Safipur, Gazipur. “Those who have not returned to duty will not be allowed back, and we are taking both disciplinary and legal actions against them,” he said, clarifying that the number of absent police officers is small. He added that most of these officers are involved in misconduct and urged for collective efforts to bring them to justice. 187 police officers absent from duty The Bangladesh Police on Tuesday disclosed that 187 officers have been absent from duty between August 1 and September 17, 2024. This includes one Deputy Inspector General (DIG), seven Additional Deputy Inspector Generals (ADIGs), two Superintendents of Police (SPs), and officers of various other ranks. Of these absentees, 96 are on extended leave, 49 are absent without leave (AWOL), three have voluntarily resigned, and 39 are absent for other reasons.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed 17 cases against Salman F. Rahman, the founder and Vice Chairman of Beximco Group, along with 27 others, on charges of laundering $83 million (approximately Tk 1,000 crore) under the pretense of export trade. Azad Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (Media Wing) for the CID, confirmed the filing of these cases through a media release on Wednesday. The investigation, conducted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, revealed that Salman F. Rahman and his brother A.S.F. Rahman, Chairman of Beximco Group, are accused of transferring funds abroad without repatriating the export proceeds from 93 letters of credit and sales contracts with Janata Bank PLC's local office in Dilkusha, Motijheel, between 2021 and 2024. According to the CID, 17 Beximco-linked companies were involved in exporting goods valued at around Tk 1,000 crore to various countries, including the UAE. The companies named in the investigation are: Adventure Garments Limited, Apollo Apparels Limited, Autumn Loop Apparels Limited, Bextex Garments Limited, Cosmopolitan Apparels Limited, Cozy Apparels Limited, Esses Fashions Limited, International Knitwear and Apparels Limited, Kanchpur Apparels Limited, Midwest Garments Limited, Peerless Garments Limited, Pink Maker Garments Limited, Platinum Garments Limited, Skynet Apparels Limited, Springfull Apparels Limited, Urban Fashions Limited, and Winter Sprint Garments Limited. Despite the legal requirement to repatriate export proceeds within four months, the investigation found that the accused, including Salman F. Rahman, failed to do so, leading to allegations of deliberate money laundering. Most of the exported goods were reportedly shipped to addresses in Sharjah, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, under the joint ownership of Salman F. Rahman's son, Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman, and A.S.F. Rahman's son, Ahmed Shahriar Rahman. The investigation further revealed that goods were exported to various other countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Turkey, and Sri Lanka, without repatriating the export proceeds back to Bangladesh, indicating a coordinated effort to launder money. The defendants are accused of violating multiple provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, by exporting goods through their affiliated companies and intentionally failing to repatriate the proceeds. In light of the evidence suggesting organized criminal activity facilitated by their personal influence, the CID's Financial Crime unit has lodged 17 cases against Salman F. Rahman and his associates. Additionally, ongoing investigations are in progress regarding loans totaling approximately Tk 33,470 crore, taken under both personal and corporate names linked to Beximco Group, amid allegations of financial misconduct.

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party (VDP) will undergo significant reforms to become a skilled, well-organized, and professional force, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Speaking at a ceremony at the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur, the adviser emphasized the government's commitment to taking all necessary steps to achieve this reform. The remarks were made during the concluding parade of the 40th BCS (Ansar) Cadre Officers and the 25th Batch (Male) Recruit Sepoy Basic Training. The adviser highlighted the vital role played by the Ansar force throughout Bangladesh’s history, particularly during times of national crisis. He noted that Ansar members have consistently demonstrated deep patriotism and have been instrumental in maintaining law and order, as well as contributing to the country's overall development. "The force has played a special role in ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and diplomatic areas," he said. Reflecting on the past, the adviser pointed out that following the fall of the autocratic government during the anti-discrimination student movement, Ansar members bravely safeguarded key installations such as police stations, traffic points, and airports, often risking their lives. He specifically praised the Ansar Guard Battalion for securing police stations within the Dhaka Metropolitan area and ensuring the safety of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. He also acknowledged the courage of Ansar members stationed at state guest house Jamuna, who continued their duties despite a shortage of police personnel. "I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all members of this force for their courageous contributions in times of national emergency," he added. The adviser also commended the voluntary Village Defense Party (VDP) members, who are spread across every village in Bangladesh, for their significant role in maintaining peace and security. He praised their efforts in addressing recent social security crises in rural areas and their vigilant actions against attempts to incite communal unrest. "VDP members stood as a barrier against those who sought to spread communal poison by attacking temples, churches, and other places of worship. They protected these religious sites and fostered harmony within the minority communities," he said. Looking ahead, the adviser expressed hope that VDP members, as organized and youth-driven volunteers, would continue to play an even greater role in the country's socio-economic development and social security. During the parade, the adviser took the salute and presented awards to the outstanding trainees. Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmood, Director General of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, among others, were present at the event.

A day after the arrest of a man, identified as an Indian national, for allegedly desecrating Hindu idols in Faridpur, police on Tuesday went back on their earlier submission to say that he isn't actually an Indian citizen, rather he is a mentally-challenged Bangladeshi. Faridpur’s Additional Superintendent of Police Shailen Chakma explained that they issued a media release on Monday narrating that they had arrested the 45-year-old Sanjit Biswas in connection with the desecration of idols in a temple in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila. In the release, the arrestee was identified as an Indian national, and the media extensively circulated the news, he said. However the arrestee’s father Nishikant Biswas contacted the district police to clarify that the arrested individual is his son, Sanjit Biswas. According to Nishikant Biswas, Sanjit, who had travelled to India for work around 24-25 years ago, returned to Bangladesh and subsequently went missing about four years ago. Sanjit has had no contact with his family since then and is known to have frequently traveled to India. His father revealed that Sanjit is mentally sick. The police official further informed that the arrestee in the idol vandalism case is currently in jail awaiting further legal proceedings. On the night of September 14, members of the temple committee reported to the Bhanga Police Station that several idols at the Hari Mandir in Bhanga Bazaar had been vandalized. The temple committee lodged a written complaint with the police following the discovery of the damage.

A murder case has been filed in court against former State Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor, nearly a decade after the killing of Golam Rabbani, the organizing secretary of the BNP's Tupamari Union unit in Nilphamari Sadar Upazila. The case was filed by the deceased's wife, Shahinaz Begum, on Sunday afternoon at the Nilphamari Sadar Amli Court. The case names 41 individuals, with former State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Member of Parliament for Nilphamari-2, Asaduzzaman Noor, as the primary accused. Also named are Nilphamari Sadar Police Station’s former OC Babul Akhtar and SI Mostafizur Rahman. According to the case, on December 14, 2013, under the leadership of Asaduzzaman Noor, over a hundred activists attacked, vandalized, and set fire to Golam Rabbani’s house. The attackers reportedly threatened to kill Rabbani in a crossfire if they found him. A few days later, Golam Rabbani was taken away by police in a microbus. On January 18, 2014, his body was found in a bamboo grove near the Nilphamari-Domar Road, with multiple injuries and gunshot wounds. M.R. Sayed, Inspector of Nilphamari Sadar Police Station, confirmed that Judge Shaheen Kabir of the Nilphamari Amli Court has taken the case into account and has ordered the Nilphamari Sadar Police Station to record the case and submit a report to the court within seven working days.

A case was filed on Tuesday against 1617 people including former lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and former reserved women's seat lawmaker Nazma Aktar  in connection with the killing of a central leader of the BNP’s voluntary wing Swechasebak Dal in Gopalganj on September 13.   Gopalganj Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Anisur Rahman confirmed the matter saying that they recorded the case as the political murder. The victim’s wife Rabeya Rahman filed the case. In the case, 117 people including former lawmakers Selim and Nazma were named and the rest were unnamed, he said. Moreover, Gopalganj district unit of Awami League President Mahabub Ali Khan, General Secretary GM Shahabuddin Azam, and Qantara Khan, daughter of former Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Muhammad Faruk Khan, among others, were mentioned in the case. According to the case statement, on September 13, the President of the central Swechasebak Dal, SM Jilani, was traveling in a convoy to his home in Gopalganj's Tungipara. As Jilani's convoy was approaching Dola Petrol Pump in Pathalia village of Gopalganj Sadar upazila, a group of Awami League militants, acting on a premeditated plan, attacked the convoy. During the attack, Shawkat Ali Didar, Swecchasebak Dal’s central sports affairs secretary, who was in one of the vehicles, was forcibly removed from the car and beaten to death with sticks and other weapons. His body was then left on the roadside. The OC informed that they have already arrested 12 people as suspects and landed in jail through a court.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury asked the Department of Narcotics Control to intensify efforts to apprehend major drug traffickers and godfathers. He gave the instruction during a meeting with senior officials of the department at Dhaka’s Segunbagicha on Tuesday morning.The Adviser emphasised the necessity of targeting not only the lower-level carriers but also the influential drug godfathers involved in the narcotics trade. He instructed that current joint operations should be fortified and that daily progress reports must be submitted. The success of these efforts will play a crucial role in evaluating the department's performance.Highlighting the need for a rigorous approach, the adviser asserted that the government's success hinges on reducing corruption. He urged department officials to avoid bribery and unethical practices, stressing that drug-related issues have severe repercussions on families, societies, and the nation as a whole. He called for a mindset shift among officials to work earnestly towards drug eradication.Additionally, he pointed out that while department officials are equipped with uniforms, they lack necessary weapons and tools for effective operations. He proposed providing them with arms to ensure successful missions and suggested involving police support in high-risk operations.The meeting was attended by Senior Secretary Md. Mashiur Rahman NDC of the Security Services Division and Director General (Grade-1) Khondkar Mostafizur Rahman NDC of the Narcotics Control Department, among other key officials.

Mozammel Haque Babu, CEO of Ekattor Television, and Shahriar Kabir, chairman of the Advisory Board of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, have been placed on a seven-day remand each in connection with the killing of a domestic worker in Dhaka.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah passed the order on Tuesday.During the court proceedings, the investigating officer, Police Inspector Md Payel Hossain, requested 10-day remand for the accused. The prosecution supported this request, while the defense argued against the remand and sought bail.The victim, Liza Akter, was critically injured in gunfire on July 18 in the Ramna area and died from her injuries on July 22 while receiving medical treatment. Her father, Md. Zainal Shikdar, filed the case at Ramna Model Police Station on September 5, naming ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 174 others.

A Dhaka court has placed Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bhorer Kagoj on a seven-day remand in a case filed at Bhashantek Police Station over a shooting incident that led to the death of a youth. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah issued the remand order after a hearing following a 10-day remand plea by Sub-inspector Md. Shahidul Biswas. The case was filed at the Bhashantek Police Station in the capital. Despite a plea from the defense lawyers for bail and the cancellation of the 10-day remand, the court approved the seven-day remand to allow for further questioning of the accused.

Former Supreme Court Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik has been granted bail in a case filed for attempting to illegally cross into India through the Kanaighat border in Sylhet. Manik was brought to the court of Kanaighat Additional Chief Judicial Marigtrate Anjan Kanti Das around 9:30 am on Tuesday. The police requested that he be formally recognised as arrested, which the court approved. However, Manik's lawyer successfully applied for bail, which was granted by the court. Despite this, Manik remains in Sylhet jail due to other pending cases against him, but he is expected to be transferred to Dhaka soon. Sylhet District Court Inspector Md Jamshaid Ali confirmed the matter. Manik was initially detained on the night of August 23 as he attempted to flee to India through the Dhana border in Kanaighat Upazila. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) apprehended him with the assistance of local youths. The following morning, Manik was handed over to Kanaighat police station. He was presented in court later that day, where he was ordered to be jailed under Section 54. As of September 12, following improvement in his condition, Manik was discharged from Osmani Medical College Hospital. He was then transferred to Sylhet Central Jail under strict security. Manik has a history of heart issues, having undergone bypass surgery a decade ago, and he also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.