United News of Bangladesh

The second day of interrogation of investigation officer Jane Alam Khan was held on Sunday in a crime against humanity case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July mass uprising in Ashulia. The case involves 16 accused, including former Awami League lawmaker from Savar Saiful Islam. The cross-examination began on Sunday before a three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the panel are retired District and Sessions Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Jane Alam Khan was cross-examined by Advocate Syed Mizanur Rahman, representing former additional superintendent of police of Dhaka district Abdullahil Kafi. The questioning was initiated earlier by state defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmad, Saimum Reza Talukder and others represented the prosecution. The cross-examination of the investigation officer began on December 14 after completion of witness testimonies. Jane Alam Khan earlier testified as the 24th witness on December 2. Once his cross-examination is completed, the case will move to the argument stage. A total of 24 witnesses testified over 22 working days. Among them, SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque appeared as a state witness, while SI Anisur Rahman gave a supplementary statement. Eight accused are currently in custody, including former additional superintendents of police and several police officials. Former MP Saiful Islam and seven others remain absconding. On August 21 this year, the tribunal framed charges against all 16 accused, formally commencing the trial. Sheikh Abzalul Haque pleaded guilty and was granted state witness status. According to the case, six youths were shot dead by police in Ashulia on August 5 last year, after which their bodies were burned in a police van. One victim was alive during the burning. Another person was killed the previous day. The case was filed with the tribunal on September 11 last year.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has detected suspicious financial transactions worth more than Tk 127 crore in several bank accounts belonging to the main accused, Faisal Karim Masud, and his associates in the murder of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Based on information received from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the CID has initiated a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Following the fatal shooting of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Osman Hadi in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on December 12, the CID launched a shadow investigation covering multiple aspects of the case. These include immediate crime scene management, collection and analysis of CCTV footage, recovery of bullet casings, and forensic examination of evidence. As part of the continuing probe, the CID has now expanded its investigation to financial transactions after obtaining bank account details from multiple sources. Although the prime accused Faisal Karim Masud—also known as Daud Khan and Rahul—has not yet been arrested, several of his family members and associates have been detained on charges of concealing evidence and assisting his escape. During arrest operations, investigators seized several checkbooks linked to the accused and related individuals and organizations. Preliminary scrutiny of these records indicates financial dealings amounting to approximately Tk 218 crore, though the figures are yet to be finalized. Initial analysis has revealed unusual transactions exceeding Tk 127 crore across multiple accounts, which investigators suspect may be linked to money laundering, organized crime, and the financing of terrorist activities. In response, the CID has launched a separate money laundering case and is taking steps to confiscate around Tk 65 lakh from various bank accounts of the accused and his associated individuals and entities in favor of the state. Meanwhile, multiple CID teams are working to trace the original sources of the funds and to determine whether an organized and influential network was involved in planning, financing, and supplying weapons for the murder.

Police on Sunday said they have no specific information about the whereabouts of Faisal, the prime suspect in the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies are actively trying to locate Faisal. “We do not have specific information about Faisal’s last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it,” he said. “However, we have not received any reliable information indicating that he has left the country.” He also cautioned that suspects often spread misinformation. “Sometimes criminals spread false rumours about their location,” he added. Regarding possible political involvement, Rafiqul Islam said no concrete evidence has yet emerged. “We have not received any specific information about the involvement of any political party in this murder. However, efforts are underway to gather accurate data,” he said. Detective Branch (DB) chief Shafiqul Islam said investigators are looking into the case with utmost seriousness. “Initially, the murder appears to be politically motivated, as there does not seem to be any personal motive,” he said. He mentioned that the law enforcers have been on the ground since the beginning of the incident, and all agencies are working in coordination. “We are examining all possible angles.” Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30 pm on Saturday.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said taking the law into one's own hands is a major obstacle to good governance. “This is an extremely condemnable and heinous act. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. Mob justice is a major obstacle to good governance,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. The adviser said he had sent a message and had requested the Home Affairs Adviser to take action against those involved in the killing of a man in Mymensingh and in setting the body on fire. Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district on Thursday night.  His body was later set on fire. Replying to another question, the adviser claimed that the law and order is now fully under control. He said violent incidents were still occurring, but considering the current situation, they remained hopeful that elections would be held on time in a free, fair, inclusive and festive manner and that such an environment still existed. Asked about recent arson attacks on two newspapers—The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—the adviser said “Efforts are on to prevent such incidents.To ensure police control at all establishments in advance is very difficult. Often, we do not know in which direction an attack may occur. That is why we always discourage such acts.” Based on intelligence reports, several individuals involved in setting fire to Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been identified, he said, adding, “We have already taken measures to arrest them and bring them under book.” Regarding the attack on Chhayanaut, the adviser said that who said what was not within their jurisdiction, but as a government they could never accept arson attacks on government-approved institutions or the killing of people by burning them, adding that they considered such acts heinous crimes and were determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. When asked whether there was any intelligence failure as attacks took place on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and other locations across the country on the same night, Khalid Hossain said it would not be appropriate for him to label it directly as an intelligence failure. Drawing attention to allegations of incitement from abroad, the adviser said comments made from outside the country are beyond the direct control of the Bangladesh government. He pointed out that those were open platforms such as Meta and YouTube, which they could not directly control, and that even from within Bangladesh many people posted abusive comments every day.

A trader was stabbed to death allegedly by muggers in the capital’s Jatrabari area early Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ashish Joaddar, 32, a cloth trader and son of Amal Joyaddar of Paturia village in Magura Sadar. Al Amin, a witness, said when Ashish was walking past a warehouse under the Jatrabari flyover two to three muggers blocked his way and stabbed him with a knife. Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot, prompting the attackers to flee without managing to snatch anything, he said. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition around 1:30am where doctors on duty at the emergency department declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to Jatrabari Police Station.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested ten people in connection with the killing of a Hindu youth who was beaten to death in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district. Of them, seven were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and three by the police, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said on Saturday. Those arrested by RAB are Md Limon Sarkar, 19; Md Tarek Hossain, 19; Md Manik Mia, 20; Ershad Ali, 39; Nizum Uddin, 20; Alamgir Hossain, 38; and Md Miraj Hossain Akon, 46. The police arrested Md Ajmal Hasan Sagir, 26; Md Shahin Mia, 19; and Md Nazmul. RAB-14 and the police conducted operations at different locations to detain the suspects, the press wing added. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila. His body was later set on fire.

Police have arrested 16 more people in Naogaon in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ operation, police said on Saturday. All the arrestees are leaders and activists of different organs and affiliated bodies of the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said in a press release. The arrestees are Arman Khan Palin, 34, of Bangabaria area in Naogaon Sadar upazila; Mostafizur Rahman Firoz, 55, of Chakdev Masterpara; Rezaul Haque, 72, of Krittipur; Mehedi Hasan Nirob, 28, of Bacharigram; Md Hasan, 45; Abdul Kader, 60, of Kachua (Gahelapur) area of Raninagar upazila; Rafi Hasan, 25, of Meerut area in Jalalabad; Jahangir Alam, 63, of Gana (Dighi Purbapara) area; Ayet Ali, 56, of Sonaidanga area of Atrai upazila; Motibul Islam, 54, of Harirampur area of Patnitala upazila; Mizanur Rahman, 40, of Battali area; Momtaz Uddin, 55, of Sherpur area of Mahadevpur upazila; Rafiqul Islam, 42, of Haripur area; Moslem Prodhan, 41, of Kusmail area of Niamatpur upazila; Chaiful Islam, 42, of Kharapa area of Porsha upazila; and Jotiranjan Adhikari, 46, of Mainam area of Manda upazila. SP Mohammad Tariqul Islam said the operation is being conducted as part of regular police activities to curb crime and maintain law and order in the district. “A total of 55 people have been arrested in recent days, including accused persons in various cases and those with outstanding warrants,” he added. The police official said the operation would continue to ensure overall law and order in the district.  

The chiefs of three services – Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Air Force– will meet Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday. “The meeting will be held at 12:00pm at Nirbachan Bhaban,” said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik on Saturday. Due to the meeting, the Election Commission shifted its pre-scheduled meeting over law and order from 10am to 2:30pm. In the afternoon, the EC will sit with top representatives of law enforcing agencies and intelligences to review the overall law and order situation ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. CEC Nasir will chair the meeting on law and order at the Conference Room of the Election Commission in the city. Top representatives of the armed forces, the Principal Secretary, the Home Affairs Secretary, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police, Directors general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with additional IGPs of Special Branch (SB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Inspector General of Prisons are supposed to attend the meeting. The major agendas of the meeting are to review pre-election law and order situation, the activities of joint forces to recover illegal arms and prevent terror acts, and the compliance with electoral code by candidates and political parties as well as the issues related to maintaining an election-friendly environment.  Four election commissioners will be present in the law and order meeting. Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Saturday amended the election schedule gazette bringing change in the timeframe to file appeals challenging the decisions of the returning officers against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers during the scrutiny. According to the amended gazette, the appeals against the decisions of the returning officers can be filed from January 5 to 9, while the appeals will be disposed of on January 10-18. In the original schedule, the time for submission of appeals was January 5-11 and the time for disposal of the appeals was January 12-18. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC Earlier on December 11, the Chief Election Commissioner announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 29, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).  

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday issued seven traffic directives ahead of the Janaza of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, scheduled to be held on Saturday (Dec 20) after Zohr prayers at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. In a press release issued Friday night, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said a large gathering is expected, which will restrict vehicular movement on Manik Mia Avenue. For the convenience of the Janaza, traffic from Khejur Bagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue will remain closed during the event. To ensure smooth traffic management, city residents and drivers have been requested to follow the following alternative routes: Mirpur Road to Farmgate via Manik Mia Avenue: Vehicles coming from the north toward Farmgate or Sonargaon should proceed via Ganabhaban Crossing–Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing, then turn right toward Farmgate. Farmgate to Manik Mia Avenue via Indira Road: Vehicles should move from Farmgate to Khejur Bagan Crossing, turn right toward Urojahaj Crossing, then turn left onto Lake Road and proceed toward Ganabhaban Crossing. Dhanmondi to Farmgate: Vehicles from Dhanmondi-27 should go via Asad Gate–Ganabhaban Crossing, make a U-turn to Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing, then turn right toward Farmgate. Asad Gate to Farmgate Crossing: Vehicles should turn left at Asad Gate, then right at Ganabhaban Crossing, proceed via Lake Road–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing, and turn right toward Farmgate Crossing. Elevated Expressway or Indira Road to Dhanmondi: Vehicles should turn right at Khejur Bagan Crossing, proceed to Urojahaj Crossing, turn left to Lake Road, then left again at Asad Gate and continue toward Dhanmondi. Mirpur Road to Dhanmondi-27: As the blockade on Manik Mia Avenue will be lifted for this route, southbound vehicles from Mirpur Road should use Shyamoli–Shishu Mela–Ganabhaban–Asad Gate and proceed straight toward Dhanmondi-27. Vehicles using the Elevated Expressway: During the Janaza, vehicles are requested to use the FDC (Hatirjheel) exit ramp instead of the Farmgate exit ramp. The DMP has urged all drivers to avoid the Manik Mia Avenue area from Saturday morning until the completion of the Janaza and burial, and to strictly follow the prescribed traffic instructions. For security reasons and to avoid inconvenience, attendees have also been requested not to carry any bags or heavy items. The DMP sought the full cooperation of city residents to ensure orderly traffic management and overall security.

An unruly mob, incited by ex-journalist Elias Hossain, attacked and set fire to the office building of The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English-language daily, early Friday, creating panic in the area following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontliner of the July Uprising. Soon after news broke that Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Moncho, had died from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12, Elias Hossain — who commands a large following on social media — posted on Facebook instructing his followers to set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Prothom Alo was attacked first, and Hossain later posted again urging supporters to target The Daily Star, after which the mob moved to its office and carried out the arson. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, duty officer Md Shahjahan said they received information about the fire at around 12:40am, following which a fire service unit was dispatched to the scene. Members of law-enforcement agencies, particularly personnel of the Bangladesh Army, reached the spot soon after the attack and took position to restore order. Firefighters began operations to douse the flames upon arrival. During the incident, the disorderly crowd also set fire to the adjacent road, further worsening the situation. Army personnel later assisted the fire service in bringing the fires under control.