United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in a case filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The HC bench of Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain and Justice Md Jakir Hossain passed the order. Senior Advocate Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, Motahar Hossain Saju and Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan stood for Khairul.  With this order, there is no bar to release the former Chief Justice, said his lawyers. Ex-CJ Khairul Haque granted bail in 4 cases Earlier on March 8, the High Court granted bail to ABM Khairul Haque in four cases filed on different charges including murder. On October 26, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the former Chief Justice Khairul Haque should not be granted bail in five cases.  Police arrested Khairul Haque from his Dhanmondi residence in the capital on July 24 last year.  Later, he was shown arrested in the case over the murder of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Qayyum Ahad in Jatrabari during the July movement. Travel ban imposed on former CJ Khairul Haque, eight others Four other cases were filed against him. Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shaheen filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station on August 27 last year accusing him of forging a judgment related to the caretaker government system.  Another case was filed on August 25 , 2025 at Fatulla Police Station in Narayanganj by Abdul Bari Bhuiyan, former president of the District Bar Association and general secretary of Fatulla thana unit BNP.  On the same day, Nurul Islam Molla filed another case at Bandar Police Station in Narayanganj on similar charges.  Earlier, on August 4 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also filed a case against Khairul Haque over alleged corruption in plot allocation. After a lower court rejected his bail petitions in the cases, he moved the High Court seeking bail. The High Court later issued a rule over the bail in five cases.

Noting that modern urban management is not possible without smart traffic systems, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Ali Hossain Fakir on Wednesday said future traffic management in Bangladesh must be technology-driven. “Global experience shows that modern cities cannot function efficiently without smart traffic management,” he said while addressing a daylong workshop titled “Urban Traffic Management in Dhaka: Challenges, Innovations and Future Directions” at the Police Staff College Bangladesh in the capital as the chief guest. The IGP said Bangladesh is advancing rapidly through urbanisation and that the growing number of vehicles, expanding urban economy and increasing mobility of people have made road management a major challenge for the state. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to address these challenges effectively. Ali Hossain Fakir also said the Prime Minister has already given special directives to take effective initiatives to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka. Addressing police officials, the IGP said the public’s first interaction with the police often occurs through traffic police. “When a traffic sergeant stands on the road, he not only controls vehicles but also represents the law and discipline of the state,” he said, adding that their behaviour, professionalism and integrity directly influence public confidence in the police. The workshop aimed to formulate practical policy recommendations and action plans to ensure better traffic management in the capital. Participants discussed key issues including identifying major challenges in Dhaka’s traffic management, evaluating the effectiveness of traffic law enforcement, improving the public transport system, enhancing bus route management efficiency, integrating rickshaws and other non-motorised transport, addressing illegal parking and footpath management problems, strengthening coordination among relevant agencies, ensuring pedestrian safety, raising public awareness and planning future urban transport systems. Officials participating in the workshop emphasised the importance of realistic recommendations and effective action plans to improve traffic management in the capital. IGP seeks magistrates at police stations for faster dispute resolution They particularly underscored the need for technology-based traffic systems, public transport reforms, improved law enforcement and stronger coordination among relevant agencies. Speakers expressed hope that the recommendations from the workshop would contribute significantly to improving traffic management and urban transport planning in Dhaka in the future.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday granted bail to journalist Anis Alamgir in a graft and a money laundering case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez passed the order. Earlier, journalist Anis secured bail from the High Court in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Journalist Anis Alamgir now shown arrested in ACC case Now there is no legal bar to his release from jail as he was not accused in any case, his lawyer Taslima Jahan said. According to the prosecution, ACC filed the case on January 15 accusing Anis Alamgir of acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income and money laundering. According to the case statement, the ACC found that Anis owned immovable properties worth Tk25 lakh and movable assets valued at Tk3.84 crore, bringing his total assets to more than Tk4.09 crore. Family and other expenses were estimated at Tk15.90 lakh. His total asset accumulation stood at over Tk4.25 crore, while the ACC identified his lawful income at Tk 99.09 lakh. This included Tk54.45 lakh in previous savings, Tk19.39 lakh from talk shows and consultancy, Tk22 lakh from plot sales, and Tk3.24 lakh from savings certificates and bank interest, it said. Anis was earlier detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on December 14 last year from Dhanmondi. He was taken to the DB office for interrogation and was placed on a five-day remand the following day. After completion of the remand, he was sent to jail on December 20 and has remained in custody since then. He was shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Uttara West Police Station in the capital.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced a man to six months in jail in a case filed over killing his neighbour’s pet cat in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. The convict, Akbar Hossain Shiblu, was tried in absentia. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Al Biruni Mir handed down the judgment. The court also fined Shiblu Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer one month more in jail. The court also issued a warrant for his arrest. Dhaka dwellers struggle with footpath occupation by hawkers during Ramadan On February 5, last year, Nafisa Nourin Chowdhury, filed the case against Shiblu, a resident of Muktijoddha Tower in Mohammadpur area of the capital, on behalf of People for Animal Welfare for killing the pet cat. During investigation, police found evidence against Shiblu and framed charges against him on July 14, last year. According to the prosecution, the pet cat of one Mansur, a resident of the same building, went missing on February 1. CCTV footage showed Shiblu kicking the cat. The footage further revealed that after the animal became motionless, the accused pressed it under his foot, apparently to ensure it was dead.

The International Crimes Tribunal will conduct an internal investigation over the allegations of bribery of Tk one crore involving a prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal, said Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal Aminul Islam on Tuesday. The Chief Prosecutor said this at a press conference after an audio recording surfaced on social media containing a conversation between prosecutor Saimum Reza Talukder and a lawyer of former Chattogram-6 lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, who is an accused in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July movement. Action taken over Barishal courtroom chaos: SC The internal committee would investigate all complaints received since the formation of the tribunal, he said. Chief Prosecutor Aminul convened a closed-door meeting with the entire prosecution team on Tuesday morning which lasted over an hour.  “During my tenure, if any prosecutor or official is found involved in misconduct or corruption, strict action will be taken. There will be zero tolerance on such issues,” he said at the press conference. “Those working at the International Crimes Tribunal must rise above greed and personal gain. If one cannot do so, there is no need to remain here. Anyone can leave,” he added. “The entire judicial process of the tribunal becomes 100 percent questionable if such an allegation arises,” Aminul Islam said in response to a query from journalists. On the leaked audio, Aminul Islam said, “Even if no formal complaint reaches me, I will personally conduct an internal inquiry through the Chief Prosecutor’s office. Besides, I will form a committee to investigate all matters since the tribunal’s formation on August 5.” Any findings of wrongdoing would be reported to the authorities, he added. He also issued a warning to current and future prosecutors saying “If I receive even a small complaint against any prosecutor, consider that person gone from my office the very next day.” If I receive even a thread of an allegation against any prosecutor, you can assume that the next day he will no longer be here,” he said. According to the allegations, Saimum Reza Talukder had demanded Tk 1 crore from the family of former Awami League MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury in exchange for helping secure his bail in a crimes against humanity case related to incidents in Chattogram during the July uprising. Multiple audio recordings of WhatsApp conversations revealed the alleged demand for money. After the allegation surfaced, then chief prosecutor Tajul Islam removed Saimum from the case but did not take further action or relieve him of his other responsibilities at the tribunal. Later, the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry accepted Saimum’s resignation and relieved him of his duties as a prosecutor, according to a notification issued on Monday. Saimum had been appointed as a prosecutor of the tribunal on October 7, 2024.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said that a proposal has been submitted to the government to post judicial magistrates at every police station to ensure quick justice and resolve minor disputes. “If judicial magistrates are stationed at police stations, disputes related to land or unpaid money could be resolved within seven days,” he said while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters media centre on Monday. This would reduce people’s need to visit courts frequently and help settle small conflicts more quickly, he added. Replying to a question, he said that one of the major challenges currently facing the police is the declining tendency among people to follow the law. “Whenever an incident occurs, people want quick justice. But investigation and judicial processes require a certain amount of time,” he said. According to him, having judicial magistrates at police stations would allow immediate resolution of certain issues, save police time and help reduce negative perceptions about the police among the public. Referring to recent mob violence, the IGP said police have plans to eliminate mob-related activities. Unemployment has made it easier for some people to join mobs when called upon by various groups, and some also become involved with juvenile gangs, he said. “No respectable person is involved in such mobs. Some people take advantage of mob situations to engage in looting,” he said. He mentioned that action is being taken against those who organise mobs and that they will be brought under the law regardless of their influence. Regarding extortion, the IGP said a list of extortionists has been prepared and operations against them will begin soon. Measures will be taken against individuals whose names appear commonly in lists received from different intelligence agencies. On the issue of political involvement in policing, he said police are an important part of the government but their main responsibility is to maintain law and order and serve the public. “Regardless of political affiliation, the police are friends of the people,” he said. He also instructed that anyone visiting a police station should be treated with respect, even if their complaint does not fall under the law. “They should at least be offered a cup of tea before leaving so that there is no complaint against the police,” he added. Calling for time to conduct proper investigations, the IGP said solving some murder cases can take 20 to 25 years. Excessive pressure can send the wrong message and increase the risk of false confessions or incorrect charge sheets. He said the “Joj Mia drama” had also occurred partly due to pressure from the media. He further said action will be taken if political individuals involved with juvenile gangs are found committing crimes. Additional IGPs AKM Aowlad Hossain (Administration), Md Akram Hossain (Finance), Mosleh Uddin Ahmed (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) and Sardar Nurul Amin (Development) were also present.

A student of the Department of Philosophy at Dhaka University (DU) was allegedly beaten several times and later handed over to Shahbagh Police Station on accusations of having links with the banned organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The victim, Rahid Khan Pavel, a student from the 2020–21 academic session, is currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital under police supervision. The incident reportedly took place during the pre-dawn meal (sehri) early Monday morning. Those accused in the incident include Hasibul Islam, an organisational secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and a student of the Sociology Department at DU; Sardar Nadim Mahmud Shuvo, a Philosophy Department student from the same session; and Mohammad Saifullah, organisational secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti. All the victim and the accused are students from the same academic batch. Nadim previously served as a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and later joined the Democratic Student Council. According to eyewitness students, Pavel went to the BUET canteen to have sehri when several student activists, including Hasibul Islam, called him over and engaged him in an argument over issues such as the alleged rehabilitation of Chhatra League, an iftar party reportedly organised on campus with BCL backing, and the recent playing of the March 7 speech on campus. The argument reportedly escalated into a scuffle. Later, Pavel was taken from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus to the Dhaka University campus, where he was allegedly beaten multiple times before being handed over to Shahbagh Police Station. Police later admitted him to the hospital. Highlighting the incident, Philosophy student Aditi Islam wrote on Facebook demanding justice for the attack on Rahid Khan Pavel, saying, “I demand justice for the assault on Philosophy Department student Rahid Khan Pavel after labelling him as Chhatra League. Those responsible for this terrorist act must be punished.” She further alleged that three identified individuals involved in the attack are Sardar Nadim Mahmud Shuvo, Hasib Al Islam and Saifullah. According to her, they are affiliated with Chhatra Shakti and are attempting to legitimise the attack by presenting themselves as “some general students.” “Raise your voice against this rising campus violence and resist such terrorist activities carried out in the name of politics,” she wrote. Following the incident, Saifullah posted on Facebook, “We have caught a Chhatra League member on campus and are taking him to Shahbagh Police Station. There will be no compromise on the Chhatra League issue.” Attempts to contact Saifullah for comment were unsuccessful. But he said to another journalist that when they went to the BUET canteen for sehri, Hasib called Pavel after noticing him. They then became involved in an argument over the issue of rehabilitating Chhatra League. According to him, Pavel made a phone call during the argument, which was followed by a physical altercation with Hasib and Shuvo. He claimed he was still inside the BUET canteen at that time and later saw that Pavel had been beaten when he reached Shahbagh Police Station. “Pavel is actually a very good friend of mine,” Saifullah added. Attempts to contact Hasib Al Islam for comment were unsuccessful. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station Moniruzzaman said Pavel is currently undergoing treatment and that further decisions regarding the matter will be taken later.

A court in Bogura on Monday sent the former officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahjahanpur Police Station to jail in an extortion case filed by a BNP leader. Judge Abuhena Siddiqui of Bogura Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-3 passed the order after a hearing in the afternoon. Former OC Alamgir Hossain appeared before the court in connection with a case filed in 2016 on charges of extorting Tk 5 lakh from BNP leader Fazlul Haque Ujjal by threatening him with “crossfire”. According to the case statement, the plaintiff, former district BNP associate training secretary and former joint convener of Shahjahanpur Tahan unit BNP Mohammad Fazlul Haque Ujjal, alleged that on February 24, 2016, then OC Alamgir Hossain chased and stopped his car, detained him and took him to the police station. There, the OC allegedly demanded Tk 5 lakh, threatening to kill him in a “crossfire”, the statement said. Ujjal said he was forced to pay the money through his wife and a colleague. Despite this, he was later arrested and sent to court in an unknown case. After a long delay, on February 25, 2025, Ujjal filed the extortion case with the court. The court assigned Mostafa Manjur, additional superintendent of police of Bogura Sadar Circle, to investigate the case. Following the investigation, he submitted a charge sheet to the court. Court inspector Shahidul Islam said that when Alamgir Hossain appeared before the court following a summons, the judge ordered that he be sent to jail after the hearing. He was later taken to Bogura District Jail. Plaintiff Fazlul Haque Ujjal said some police officers carried out repression and extortion against opposition leaders and activists by taking advantage of the political situation at that time. “I want a fair trial for this injustice so that no one dares to abuse power in the future,” he said.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into alleged overseas money laundering involving former Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, Md. Abdus Salam Bepari. Special Police Super of the CID (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan said the investigation focuses on allegations that the removed Dhaka WASA chief illegally transferred large sums of money abroad. “The probe will examine possible financial transactions, bank accounts, and assets acquired abroad through illicit means,” he added. Initial findings indicate that Salam Bepari, who joined Dhaka WASA as an assistant engineer in 1991, allegedly laundered money earned from various sources and acquired significant movable and immovable assets in countries including Canada and the United States, in the names of himself, his wife, and associates. The investigation revealed that in 2018 he purchased a house in Toronto, Canada, under his name and that of his wife Mahbubunnesa. Information from the local land registration office shows the property’s current value is about Tk 20 crore. Various media reports also indicate that his family owns another house in Toronto.

India’s West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested the prime accused and his alleged associate in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi from the border area of Bongaon in West Bengal. The arrestees were identified as Faisal Karim Masud, 37, a resident of Patuakhali, and Alamgir Hossain, 34, from Dhaka. According to Indian media reports quoting the STF, the arrests were made early Sunday following intelligence information that two Bangladeshi nationals involved in serious crimes, including murder and extortion, had fled Bangladesh and entered India illegally. During preliminary interrogation, it was revealed that Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, along with Alamgir Hossain, allegedly killed Osman Hadi, a political activist in Bangladesh, and later fled the country. They reportedly entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border and moved through different locations before reaching Bongaon in West Bengal with the intention of crossing back into Bangladesh. A case has been registered in India in this connection. The suspects were produced before a court on Sunday and remanded in police custody. Further investigation is underway. Hadi was shot on December 12 at Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka. He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later to Evercare Hospital, and eventually flown to Singapore. Hadi died on the night of December 18 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital. Following the incident, Abdullah Al Jaber,  Member Secretary of Inqilab Moncho, filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case.