United News of Bangladesh

The Appellate Division on Thursday (December 04, 2025) upheld a High Court (HC) order that declared the swearing-in and formation of the interim government valid, dismissing a leave-to-appeal petition over the government. A top court bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order. During Wednesday’s (December 03, 2025) hearing, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman argued that the writ challenging the government’s legality was based on a mistaken notion. Read more: Writ petition filed challenging provision of party symbols in the alliance's vote Lawyers representing the government said that the formation of a government following a popular uprising cannot be questioned, and that raising doubts before the Supreme Court, which was reconstituted after the government took oath, is impermissible. The petitioner’s counsel defended that during the August 5 uprising, the then Chief Justice and Appellate Division judges had sought shelter in the cantonment. Consequently, under Article 106 of the Constitution, they were unable to provide the President with advice regarding government formation, rendering the current government’s oath-taking and formation process illegal. In December last year, senior lawyer Mohsin Rashid first submitted a petition with the HC challenging the legality, which the court rejected, stating that the people’s approval legitimises the interim government and no one could question it. Read more: Writ petition filed seeking stay on election activities Following that, the petitioner sought leave to appeal in the Appellate Division, which was dismissed today (Thursday).

Bangladesh has written afresh to India seeking former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday (November 23) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi but did not elaborate further. A diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to New Delhi soon after National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman’s returns home from New Delhi. Dr Rahman attended the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on November 20 at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval. On November 17, the ICT sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison. Dhaka may approach ICC to bring back Hasina, Kamal: Law Adviser After the verdict, Bangladesh urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. “I understand they need to be brought back. We will let India know our position officially. Certainly, an official letter will be sent,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 17. Acknowledging that India did not reply to Bangladesh’s extradition request for Hasina, Hossain said the situation is different now as the trial is completed and they are punished. "This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. "It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement. July Martyrs’ families demand swift execution of Hasina’s sentence Meanwhile, India said it noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning Hasina and said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders. “As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement. The India ministry said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end. President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman on Saturday said India, as a friendly neighbour, should respect Bangladesh’s legal systems and return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. "If India respects international norms and rules, and international order, then India as a friendly neighbour, should respect Bangladesh’s legal systems," he said while responding to a question during a session at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka. UN rights body regrets Hasina’s death sentence, calls verdict important for victims Muniruzzaman said Hasina's trial has gone through all international standards legal systems under which she was convicted.  "And that's a legal system that should be respected by all our neighbours," he added. If that respect is there, Muniruzzaman said, by all accounts she should be returned to Bangladesh. The security analyst said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty and India is almost legally bound to send Hasina back to Bangladesh under the treaty. He wanted to know what would be India's reaction if Bangladesh was housing a number of Indians and did not return them after a request made by New Delhi to Dhaka. If that is the case, Muniruzzaman said, anybody convinced under Bangladesh's law by international standards, India is legally bound to send him or her bank to Bangladesh.  "And by all those accounts, we demand that New Delhi sends her (Hasina) back to Bangladesh," he said. Verdict in Rajuk plot graft case against Hasina, Putul on Nov 27

Thousands of leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, have started gathering in the city’s Shahbagh area since Sunday morning to attend their student rally. The JCD leaders and supporters from different parts of the country are joining the rally to mark the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising. The rally is scheduled to formally begin at 2:30pm with the recitation from the verses of the Holy Quran. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and other senior leaders will address the event. Roads around the Shahbagh intersection are crowded with JCD activists, causing traffic disruption in the adjoining areas. They have already set up a large stage at Shahbagh intersection and installed loudspeakers for the rally. Several projectors and big screens have also been installed at the venue. A medical booth has been set up to provide basic healthcare services for those arriving at the venue. NCP wants huge turnout for 'manifesto rally' at Shaheed Minar on Sunday Earlier, on Wednesday, JCD decided to move its planned student rally from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh, despite having secured permission for the original venue. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said the decision was made in response to a request from the National Citizen Party (NCP), which had also scheduled a rally at the same time and place. As the rally at Shahbagh, a key intersection in Dhaka, is expected to cause traffic disruptions, JCD President has apologised in advance to city residents for the inconvenience. The JCD earlier announced a series of programmes marking the anniversary of the July August mass uprising, with the August 3 student rally being one of the key events. This is the first major public gathering by the BNP’s student wing since the mass uprising last year. However, unlike traditional rallies, this time there will be no processions, banners, or festoons. NCP will win next election with people's support: Nahid Islam In preparation for the event, the student wing has already issued six specific instructions to its activists. The central leadership has clearly directed participants not to bring any banners, festoons, or placards.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the authorities concerned to refrain from suing, arresting and harassing those involved in the July-August mass upsurge. A notification was issued in this regard on Monday. Read more: US again denies any role in former prime minister Hasina's ouster in mass upsurge According to the notification, students and mass people who actively worked to make the mass uprising a success from July 15 to August 8 will not be arrested, sued or harassed. The authorities concerned were asked to remain highly vigilant in this regard.