United News of Bangladesh

The government has decided the trial of the cases filed over the killings during the July Uprising, except those already under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal, will be held at Speedy Trial Tribunals, said Law Ministry spokesperson Dr Md Rezaul Karim on Monday. Besides, the Law Ministry has formed a special committee headed by Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division to strengthen and streamline the prosecution of cases involving murder and other serious crimes during the period, A total of 837 cases have been filed across the country over killings and other atrocities committed during the July Uprising. Among them, 45 cases are currently being tried in the International Crimes Tribunal while police have already submitted charge sheets in 19 murder cases in different criminal courts. Chankharpul killings: Tribunal orders protection for witness facing security threat The committee’s key responsibilities include compiling a complete list of all cases filed over killings and other serious crimes committed during July Uprising along with their current status;  identifying any procedural or operational challenges in prosecuting charge-sheeted cases (excluding those under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal) and submitting recommendations to the government for necessary action; andperiodically informing affected families and the public about the progress of its work. The Law Ministry officials said the initiative aims to ensure effective prosecution and expedite justice for the victims of the July Uprising. 

A female private tuition student has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of Jubayed Ahmed, a postgraduate student and Chhatra Dal leader from Jagannath University (JnU), in the capital’s Armanitola area. The detainee was identified as Borsha, a college student of the area. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lalbagh Zone, Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, said the detainee is one of Jubayed’s private students.  He added that multiple police teams are working to track down and arrest others involved in the murder. Regarding the motive behind the killing, DC Sami said, “All residents of the building are being questioned. We hope to uncover the full details of the incident soon.” CCTV footage from the area reportedly shows two young men wearing black T-shirts and carrying backpacks running toward Bangshal Road from the Moktha area of Noor Box Road at around 4:39 p.m. Police suspect the individuals may be linked to the murder. Earlier on Sunday afternoon , Jubayed was allegedly stabbed in front of a house on Noor Box Road in the Bangshal area, where he had gone for a private tutoring session. Seriously injured, he attempted to climb the stairs but collapsed on the third floor, where he died on the spot.  

Police have arrested Mithu Biswas, the prime accused in the case filed over the rape of a Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) student in Savar. He was detained from Tejkunipara area in Tejgaon, Dhaka, in a late-night operation on Saturday, confirmed Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Jewel Mia. The 44-year-old arrestee, son of S. Raphael of Komlapur Goyalio area in Savar, had been on the run since the incident. He was produced before a court on Sunday, with police seeking a seven-day remand for interrogation. Earlier, on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old victim, a former student of the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act with Savar Model Police Station. The case names three accused, Mithu Biswas, Sohel Rozario (37), and Biplob Rozario (40), all residents of the same area. Police said Biplob is a known drug dealer and an accused in multiple cases. According to the case statement, the incident took place last Tuesday evening. After returning home from tutoring, the victim found her house locked and learned that her mother had left the key at a nearby tea stall. When she went to retrieve it, Sohel intercepted her and began questioning her. Shortly after, Mithu and Biplob joined him. They allegedly forced the young woman into Sohel’s house, where Sohel raped her while the other two assisted. Before releasing her, the trio threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The Coast Guard seized nearly 45 kilograms of deer meat and 12 deer legs during a special operation in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, though the hunters managed to flee the scene. The operation, conducted late Friday night based on secret intelligence, targeted a suspicious area near Parshekhali Bridge under Shyamnagar police jurisdiction, Coast Guard Media Officer Lt. Commander Siam-ul-Haque confirmed in a press release on Saturday. During the raid, hunters abandoned a bag containing the deer meat and legs, which were later recovered by the authorities. 45 kg venison seized in Bhola, 2 held The seized items have been handed over to the Forest Department at Tengrakhali Patrol Outpost for legal action. The Coast Guard emphasized that it remains vigilant to protect wildlife in the Sundarbans and will continue operations to prevent deer hunting and wildlife trafficking in the future.  

Authorities in Rajbari destroyed illegal fishing nets worth over 3.5 crore taka in the past two weeks and imposed various prison terms and fines on around 130 fishermen for violating government bans on catching hilsa during the breeding season in the Padma River. As part of the ongoing hilsa conservation drive, operations were conducted at seven locations in the district over the past 24 hours. During these actions, approximately 115 kilograms of hilsa fish and 2.72 lakh cubic meters of current nets were seized, with an estimated market value of over 10 lakh taka. Two mobile courts were also held during this period. In Gopalganj Upazila, eight fishermen were each sentenced to seven days in prison by a mobile court, according to Rajbari District Fisheries Officer Md. Mahbub Ul Haque, who confirmed the operations on Saturday. Md. Mahbub Ul Haque stated that since midnight on October 4, a ban has been in place on all types of fishing in about 65 kilometers of the Padma River in Rajbari to protect breeding hilsa. The restriction will continue until midnight on October 25. Between October 4 and the morning of October 18, a total of 120 operations were conducted in the district, including 39 mobile courts. During this time, about 16.30 lakh cubic meters of current nets were seized, with an estimated market value of around 3.67 crore taka. Around 130 fishermen were arrested, of whom 22 have regular cases filed against them. In addition, 73,200 taka was collected in fines, and approximately 97,000 taka was earned from auctions of the seized nets.

The Detective Branch of police have arrested four individuals and recovered nearly 190 bhori of gold in connection with a sensational robbery at a jewelry shop inside Fortune Shopping Mall in the capital. According to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, officers also recovered 93.5 grams of silver, Tk 1.77 lakh in cash, and a motorcycle from the arrestees. The arrested were identified as Shahin Matabbar alias Shahid, 46, Anita Roy, 31, Md Nurul Islam, 33, and Uttam Chandra Sur, 49. The robbery took place at Shampa Jewellers inside the Fortune Shopping Mall in Malibagh on the night of October 8. Following the incident, a theft case was filed with Ramna Police Station, and DB police began shadow investigations using technology and intelligence sources. Investigators said the suspects planned the heist over the past three months, surveying the mall several times. They hid burglary tools such as hammers and shovels behind the market in advance. On the night of the incident, they entered the building by cutting through a grill from the roof, disguised themselves in burqas and looted the jewelry before escaping through the same route around 4:30am. In a series of operations, Shahin was arrested in Chattogram, leading police to recover 121 bhori of gold from his home. Anita Roy was later detained in Barishal, with 52 bhori of gold seized from her possession. RAB arrests two main accused in attack on Malibagh Shohagh counter Nurul Islam was arrested in Narayanganj with more gold, cash, and a motorcycle, while Uttam Chandra Sur was detained in Dhaka’s Shakhari Bazar with 13 bhori of gold and 93 grams of silver. DB officials said the arrests have led to the busting of a major organized gold theft ring. Legal proceedings are underway against the suspects.  

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Thursday morning seized a pickup carrying 587 bottles of Indian liquor during a drive by Airport Police Station. The operation took place in front of Sylhet Club around 5:30 am. According to police, a team led by Sub-Inspector (T) Md. Selim Mia set up a checkpoint and signaled a private car and a DI pickup to stop. The pickup driver and assistant abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, while occupants of the private car also quickly left. A search of the pickup recovered a total of 587 bottles of various Indian liquor brands, including: AC Black, 11 large and 141 small bottles; Blue, 16 large, 139 medium, and 24 small bottles; ICE, 140 medium and 47 small bottles; and McDowell’s, 69 medium bottles. Airport Police Officer-in-Charge said the identities of those involved have been traced, and a case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018.

Police in Chuadanga have arrested two men in connection with the deaths of 6 people who consumed toxic spirit sold under the guise of homeopathic treatment. A joint operation by Chuadanga Sadar Police, the Cyber Investigation Cell, and DB intelligence led to the arrest of Faruk Hossain, also known as Alco Faruk, 40, from Rangiarpota village in Jhenaidah, and Zumat Ali, 46, from Khejura village in Chuadanga Sadar. Authorities also recovered 117 bottles of alcohol/toxic spirit used in homeopathic treatment. Chuadanga Additional Police Superintendent (Crime and Operation) Jamal Al Naser confirmed the arrests on Thursday afternoon. A case was filed at Sadar Police Station by the brother of victim Laltu Mia. Faruk admitted to selling unlicensed alcohol and spirit for homeopathic use over a long period. Police are continuing their hunt for others involved in the incident. The deaths occurred in Dingedeh area of Chuadanga Sadar after a group drank the toxic spirit on the night of October 10. Six of them died in hospital on October 12, bringing attention to the tragedy.

Detectives have arrested nine leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies including the brother of former minister Obaidul Quader from different parts of the capital on Thursday. The arrestees were identified as Shahadat Hossain, 61, younger brother of Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, Abdul Khalek, 46, former president of Khilkhet unit Sramik League, Sirajul Islam Mona, 59, vice-president of 29 no ward unit Awami League, Ataur Rahman Ata, 60, vice-president of Harirampur union unit Jubo League, Rubel Bali, 45, president of Krishak League, Bipul Baran Ghosh, 46, Alamgir Hossain Saiful, 42 and Abdul Awal, 45, senior vice-president of No 63 ward unit banned Chhatra League. Acting on secret information, detectives conducted drives in different parts of the capital from Wednesday night till Thursday morning and arrested them from Gulshan, Bhatara, Madhyapara, Motijheel, Chawkbazar, Mirpur, Wari, Paltan and Hatirpool areas of the capital, said deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Talebur Rahman.

The Chief Prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sought death penalty for three people including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a case over crimes against humanity during July Movement. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam came up with the plea before the three-member ICT-1 led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder after closing law-point arguments from his side in the case. Besides, he also left the matter of sentencing for former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun—who testified as a state witness—to the court’s discretion. “Our five-day law-point arguments have been completed. Sheikh Hasina was the main accused who was the center around whom the entire crimes were orchestrated. Under the law, the most appropriate punishment for her is the maximum sentence,” he said. “If she were sentenced to death for each murder, the total would amount to 1,400 death penalties. While such a punishment is not practically enforceable denying even a single death sentence would be a grave miscarriage of justice. Therefore, we have argued that justice in her case demands the highest punishment,” he added. The chief prosecutor said there was “no scope for leniency” in the case of Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal either and that the state also recommended the death penalty for him. The prosecution began its final arguments on October 12, during which Chief Prosecutor Islam laid out a historical overview of the Awami League government’s long tenure, describing incidents of enforced disappearances and killings. On October 13, the prosecution presented several documentary pieces of evidence which it said could play a significant role in the trial. On October 14, during the third day of arguments, the prosecution played recorded conversations involving Sheikh Hasina, Hasanul Haq Inu and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, alongside presenting footage of the July-August movement and testimonies of several witnesses. Earlier, on October 8, witness depositions and cross-examinations by the prosecution concluded. The chief investigation officer Md. Alamgir was cross-examined by state-appointed defence lawyer Md. Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Kamal on the same day. The defence challenged the July massacre claims and argued that law enforcement officers were compelled to use force under duress. On July 10, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun confessed before the tribunal admitting to crimes against humanity committed during the mass uprising. The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused.