United News of Bangladesh

A Chattogram tribunal on Wednesday sentenced the lone accused to life imprisonment in a case filed over the rape of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in the Bakalia area of Chattogram city last month. Judge of the Chattogram Children Violence Suppression Tribunal Syeda Hafsa Juma handed down the punishment, setting a new precedent in judicial proceedings as the trial concluded within 27 days following the incident. The convict is Monir Hossain, 32, a worker of a decorator shop in the Bakalia area. He hails from Muradnagar upazila in Cumilla district. The court also fined him Tk 50,000. The convict was present in the dock when the judge pronounced the verdict. According to the prosecution, the girl was raped by Monir on May 21 this year. Local people caught him red-handed and later police arrested him. However, while he was being taken to the police station after the arrest, an agitated crowd surrounded them, demanding that he be handed over to them. To bring the situation under control, police charged baton, lobbed teargas shells and fired sound grenades, leaving several of them injured. During the incident, the angry mob also set fire to a police vehicle. On June 4, police completed investigation against Monir and submitted a charge sheet against him on June 9. GM Zahed Hossain, lawyer of the plaintiff, said they will file an appeal with the High Court seeking capital punishment for the convict.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing number of patients addicted to Ice (crystal methamphetamine) being admitted to drug rehabilitation centres across Bangladesh. Speaking in Parliament, the minister said the increase in Ice addiction cases is  alarming and highlighted the need for stronger and more coordinated efforts to combat the spread of narcotics in the country. The Minister said this while responding to a written question of BNP MP M Abul Kalam. He told House that the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has formulated a 180-day action plan, a work plan for the 2026–27 fiscal year, and a five-year strategic implementation framework in line with the current government's election manifesto. The minister also said a proposal to modernise the Narcotics Control Act, 2018 has already been finalised by a committee formed by the DNC. Describing the strengthening of the DNC as highly relevant in the face of the growing drug menace nationwide, Salahuddin Ahmed said the department has been working relentlessly to curb narcotics trafficking and abuse. He noted that the DNC is conducting regular patrol operations through temporary checkpoints established in border districts to prevent the smuggling of drugs from neighbouring Myanmar and India. The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening anti-narcotics measures and enhancing the operational capacity of the DNC to address emerging drug-related challenges across the country.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed on Wednesday ordered police officials to intensify drives against drug dealers, extortionists, muggers and other criminals, stressing the need for heightened vigilance to maintain law and order across the capital. He made the directives while addressing senior police officials at the monthly crime review meeting for May 2026 held at the DMP headquarters. The DMP chief instructed officers to intensify crackdown against drugs, and arrest warrant-listed accused in areas under their respective jurisdictions. He also stressed the need to keep police stations free from brokers and directed all concerned to remain alert so that no crime could take place within their areas. Mosleh Uddin said officers demonstrating good performance will be rewarded, while strict action will be taken against any negligence of duty, breach of discipline or activities that tarnish the image of the police. Speaking at the meeting, Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said all officials must work in a coordinated manner to ensure the smooth implementation of programmes marking the upcoming Holy Ashura. He urged police personnel to remain watchful to prevent any disorder or deterioration of the law-and-order situation. During the meeting, the DMP commissioner presented awards to officers of different ranks in recognition of their contributions to maintaining law and order, controlling crime and ensuring public safety in the capital in May.

A court in Cumilla on Tuesday sent Jisan Ahmed Pradhan, expelled assistant secretary for international affairs of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, to jail in connection with a case filed over rape and forced miscarriage. He was produced before the Judge of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court-3 Tayeb Uddin Ahmed around 5:30pm under tight security. Following a hearing, the court ordered that he be sent to jail, said Court Police Inspector Mamunur Rashid. His lawyer Monir Hossain told reporters that they filed an application seeking court order to provide him with treatment at hospital considering his physical condition. However, after the hearing, the court sent him to jail. Earlier, Jisan’s family claimed that he was rescued from the Laksam Railway Junction area on Friday night, a day after he reportedly went missing from Daudkandi in Cumilla. He was later admitted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment. Following news of his rescue, a woman filed a case at Daudkandi Model Police Station on Friday night under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, naming Jisan and three others as accused. In the case statement, the woman alleged that she had been raped multiple times and that her pregnancy was forcibly terminated.

A police inspector of Savar Model Police Station has now been withdrawn over allegations of links with drug dealers. Inspector (Operations) Helal Uddin has been attached to the Dhaka district police lines following allegations of maintaining close ties with drug traders in the Rajashan area of Savar and involvement in irregularities related to narcotics cases, police sources said. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) of Dhaka Md Jahangir Alam confirmed the withdrawal, saying he was not aware of the reason behind the action. The latest action against the inspector comes amid ongoing scrutiny of officers at the police station over alleged links with drug dealers. Earlier, Officer-in-Charge Arman Ali of the police station was withdrawn in late May over allegations of negligence in arresting a top drug suspect, alleged association with him, and a deterioration in law and order in the area. Several other policemen from the station were also previously withdrawn over similar allegations. According to sources, on May 22, three journalists from Desh TV and SA TV went to collect news at the hideout of a top drug dealer named Shamim Reza in the Rajashan area. They were allegedly attacked and severely beaten by Shamim and his associates, leaving them injured. Although a case was filed at Savar Model Police Station naming 21 individuals, the then OC took no step to arrest them.

The High Court on Monday granted bail to former Awami League MP and renowned folk singer Momtaz Begum in three separate cases filed with Ashulia and Mirpur Police Stations. The HC bench of Justice Md Khairul Alam and Justice A KM Rabiul Hassan passed the order when the defence filed three separate petitions in the cases. Singer Momtaz sent to jail after remand A murder case and an attempted murder case were with Ashulia Police Station while a murder case was filed with Mirpur Model Police Station against Momtaz. Three more cases were pending against her in the court so she will not be released from jail yet, said one of her lawyers. Senior Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju, Barrister Sarah Hossain and Advocate Khairun Nesa stood for Momtaz in three cases. Detectives arrested Momtaz, an accused in several cases, from Dhanmondi in the capital on May 12, 2025 in a case filed with Mirpur Model Police Station. According to the case statement, Md Sagar was shot dead during the anti-discrimination student movement at Mirpur Golchattar on July 19, 2024. On November 27, 2024, a case was filed in this connection. In 2009, the famous folk artist became active in politics with the Awami League and was elected as an MP from reserved women's seat-21 under the party's nomination of the same year. Subsequently, she was elected as lawmaker from the Manikganj-2 (Singair-Horirampur) seat for two consecutive terms in the 2014 and 2018 elections.

The Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 1,831 cases for traffic rule violations across different parts of the capital. The drives were conducted on Saturday, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) NM Nasir Uddin on Sunday. During the operations, 65 cases were filed in the Ramna zone, 155 in Lalbagh, 375 in Motijheel, 256 in Wari, 132 in Tejgaon, 305 in Mirpur, 346 in Uttara and 197 in Gulshan. The traffic police also dumped 301 vehicles and towed away another 215 for various violations. The DMP Traffic Division said such drives will continue to maintain discipline on the roads of Dhaka.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday told Parliament that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested recently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with corruption cases, will be brought back to Bangladesh soon. “An official extradition request will be sent to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police will coordinate with Abu Dhabi to bring him back to Bangladesh very soon,” he said. Delivering a statement under the Rule 300 in the House, the Home Minister said the government of Bangladesh was informed through an email sent on June 12, 2026 by the Director General of the Federal Criminal Police of Abu Dhabi under the UAE Ministry of Interior that Benazir Ahmed, an accused in corruption cases, had been arrested by the UAE police. Citing that the former police official is currently accused in various cases filed under the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bangladesh Passport Order, he said the necessary case documents, arrest warrants and investigation-related papers required for extradition are ready, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared and approved the extradition proposal, to bring him back to Bangladesh very soon. Under the law, a formal extradition request must be sent through diplomatic channels within 30 days from the date of arrest, he said. “This is a historic success for Bangladesh Police. Through this, we will be able to come out of the culture of impunity, InshaAllah,” said Salahuddin. He said the development would also reassure the nation that no one is above the law, no matter how powerful the offender may be. “It would help establish the rule of law in the country and remain a milestone in Bangladesh's history,” he added. Earlier, Bangladesh Police requested the Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Benazir Ahmed and then Interpol requested the UAE Ministry of Interior to arrest him, said the minister.  

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has been arrested in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) back in Bangladesh. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in Parliament on Sunday in a statement delivered under rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure. He said the UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest on June 12. “We will bring him back to Bangladesh soon," the minister said, describing it as a great success of Bangladesh Police. In April 2025, the Interpol issued a red notice against the former police chief. The development came following a request filed by the National Central Bureau (NCB), a unit of the Police Headquarters. Benazir Ahmed served as the IGP from April 2020 to September 2022, after completing his tenure as the director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from 2015 to 2020. He fled the country on May 4, 2024 alongside his wife and three daughters amid investigation by the ACC into accumulation of illegal wealth.

The High Court on Sunday accepted for hearing the jail appeals filed by the two death-row convicts – Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter – in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter. The HC bench of Justice Mohammad Ali and Justice Md Saifullah Islam passed the order. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal argued for the state during the hearing. On June 7, the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal sentenced Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter to death for the rape and murder of Ramisa Akter. Besides, Sohel Rana was fined Tk 5 lakh and Swapna Akter Tk 2 lakh under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. The court ordered that the fines be paid to the legal heirs of the victim. On June 9, the death reference (approval of the death sentence) was sent to the High Court. Following this, the convicts filed jail appeals through prison authorities on Thursday, seeking acquittal. The judgement in the sensational case was delivered in just 19 days following the incident, which sparked widespread outrage and prompted the government to pledge quick justice. On May 21, two days after the murder that took place on May 19, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the house of Ramisa Akter and consoled the family. Earlier, on June 4, the tribunal completed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. Before that, on June 3, it heard self-defence statements from the two accused after the testimony phase in the case concluded within a single day on June 2. Out of 18 witnesses, 16 made their depositions against Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter before the tribunal. On June 1, the tribunal framed charges against the two accused in the case. Before that, on May 24, investigation officer of the case – Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – submitted the charge sheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. Later, the case was transferred to the tribunal. Ramisa Akter was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, a tenant of a neighbouring flat on the 2nd floor of the building, on May 19. According to the case details, Sohel Rana lured her into his room and later killed her after rape. Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found inside a bucket in the bathroom. While Swapna Akter was detained from the scene, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was tracked down and arrested by police later in Fatullah of Narayanganj.