United News of Bangladesh

The Financial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday froze 35 bank accounts belonging to journalist Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associated individuals and entities, with a total balance of Tk 181,653,739 (18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739) CID's Special Superintendent of Police (Media Wing) Jasim Uddin Khan said that Munni Saha and her husband allegedly exploited their profession to unlawfully exert influence and earn money through fraud and extortion. The illegally earned funds were reportedly transacted through various bank accounts held under their names and those of their associates and affiliated organizations. Acting on complaints, CID launched a money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019, targeting Munni Saha and those with ties to her, said Jasim. Court imposes travel ban on ex-MP Atiur, his wife and 15 others over graft allegations Preliminary investigation revealed that a total of 46 bank accounts had been opened under the names of Munni Saha, her husband, and related parties, of which 35 are currently active, he mentioned. According to Jasim, suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 1,865,691,008 (over Tk 186 crore) were traced through these accounts over time, with a current balance of over Tk 18 crore. Finding the transactions suspicious, the investigating officer sought a court order to freeze the accounts. In response, the Senior Special Judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued an order to freeze the 35 accounts, along with the funds currently held in them. Following the court order, all 35 accounts and the Tk 181,653,739 held in them have been officially frozen, said the CID official.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on former lawmaker of Sherpur-1 constituency Md Atiur Rahman Atik, his wife Shantona Begum, and 15 others in connection with two separate corruption inquiries. The order was issued on Saturday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib following petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said Akhtarul Islam, public relations officer of ACC. In one petition, the ACC sought to bar Atik and his wife from leaving the country, stating that an inquiry is underway into allegations of embezzling public funds through various irregularities and corruption and amassing illegal wealth in the names of Atik and his family members. The petition said credible sources had indicated that the accused might attempt to flee the country, which would hamper the investigation. In a separate petition, the ACC requested a travel ban on 15 others accused in a Tk 490 crore loan scam involving Broadway Real Estate Limited and National Bank’s Mohakhali branch. The 15 individuals include Monowara Sikder, wife of late Sikder Group chairman Zainul Haque Sikder and director of National Bank’s board; Arif Hasan, managing director of Desh Television, chairman of Hasan Telecom Ltd, and shareholder of Broadway Real Estate; Mohammad Sharif Uzzaman Khan, managing director of Broadway Real Estate; Md Ismail, chairman; Mohammad Fazle Rabbi and Tawseef Saifullah, both directors of the company. Court imposes travel ban on ex-DGFI DG, 3 others Others named are, Syed Rais Uddin, former branch manager and deputy managing director of National Bank; ASM Bulbul, former company secretary and additional managing director; MA Wadud, former additional managing director; CM Ahmed, former managing director; Parveen Haque Sikder, former director; Moazzem Hossain, current director; Khalilur Rahman and Mabrur Hossain, both former directors; and Md Rojob Ali, a former sub-registrar. According to the ACC, the accused colluded to misuse power and breach trust to approve and disburse the loan to Broadway Real Estate. Of the sanctioned amount, Tk 462 crore was allegedly withdrawn in cash and misused for purposes beyond the loan's stated intent. As of November 30 last year, the defaulted loan had accrued Tk 178.89 crore in interest and other charges, resulting in substantial financial losses. The ACC argued that the accused might flee the country to avoid prosecution, and therefore a travel ban was necessary to ensure a proper investigation.

A Dhaka court on Saturday imposed a travel ban and blocked the National Identity Card (NID) of Moazzem Hossain, former assistant personal secretary (APS) to Sports and LGED Adviser Asif Mahmud, over allegations of corruption and illegal wealth accumulation. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Saturday after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a petition, said ACC public relations officer Aktarul Islam. ICT prosecutors, investigation officers empowered to arrest without warrant   According to the petition, Moazzem Hossain is currently under investigation for allegedly amassing hundreds of crores of taka through abuse of power, lobbying, extortion, manipulation of tenders and various irregularities and corrupt practices. The ACC said credible sources indicated that Moazzem might attempt to flee the country to evade legal proceedings, prompting the request for the travel ban and NID blockage.

Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two alleged drug dealers with 4,600 pieces of Yaba tablets from the capital’s Paltan area on Saturday morning. The arrestees were identified as Md. Rahim, 26, and Md. Shafiullah, 24. Deputy commissioner (Media) of the DmO Talebur Rahman said based on secret information, a team from the illegal arms recovery and narcotics control unit conducted a drive around 9:20 am in front of Azmeri Hotel and Restaurant in Paltan. They had information that several drug dealers were stationed there to sell Yaba. During the operation, the DB team detained Rahim and Shafiullah and recovered 4,600 pieces of Yaba from their possession, he said. ICT prosecutors, investigation officers empowered to arrest without warrant   A case has been filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act with Paltan Police Station. DB sources said the arrestees are active members of a professional drug trafficking ring and had been collecting and selling illegal Yaba pills across Paltan and other parts of Dhaka for a long time.  During preliminary interrogation, they confessed to keeping the Yaba for sale. Legal proceedings are underway against the detainees.

Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday amended its Rules of Procedure 2010, granting its prosecutors and investigation officers the authority to arrest individuals accused or suspected of crimes against humanity. Through this amendment, prosecutors, along with investigative agencies, have been given the power to directly arrest accused without a warrant from the tribunal. The amendments, issued through a notification on Thursday by the Tribunal's Registrar ASM Ruhul Imran under the orders of Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, aims to streamline the arrest process by removing previous procedural requirements. According to the revised rules, if an investigation officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under the ICT Act has been committed, they are authorised to visit the scene, investigate the facts and circumstances, and arrest any accused or suspect. The officer is also empowered to conduct searches and seizures of evidence as necessary and may seek assistance from law enforcement agencies in these activities. While investigation officers can act independently, the rules clarify that they may request the tribunal to issue an arrest warrant through the prosecution at any stage of the investigation or trial if deemed necessary. In addition, law enforcement agencies, investigation officers, and prosecutors involved in the investigation are authorised to execute any arrest warrants issued by the tribunal. When asked about the amended rule, Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud said, "Under the previous rules, investigating officers couldn't arrest suspects directly; they had to apply to the Tribunal, which then issued a warrant, and law enforcement agencies carried out the arrest. Now, investigating officers can arrest suspects without a Tribunal warrant. Additionally, prosecutors involved in the investigation can also make arrests alongside law enforcement agencies."

Bangladesh Army has clarified its position regarding the people who took shelter inside the cantonments to save their lives after the July-August uprising. In a statement on Thursday, ISPR said that following the fall of the previous government during the July-August 2024 student uprising, the law and order situation in Bangladesh deteriorated significantly due to activities by unruly groups. The country witnessed widespread chaos, including attacks on government offices, police stations, political leaders, activists, and supporters; arson attacks on homes; mob justice; theft; and robberies. This fragile security environment led to widespread insecurity among citizens across the nation. In this tense situation, people from various social strata, including some political figures, sought refuge within the cantonments across Bangladesh, notably in Dhaka, to protect their lives. Given the sudden unrest, prioritising the safety of these asylum seekers over verifying their identities was deemed essential. Consequently, a total of 626 individuals—including 24 political figures, 5 judges, 19 civil administration officials, 515 police personnel and members, officials from various public universities, 12 miscellaneous persons, and 51 family members (spouses and children)—were provided shelter in different cantonments. The primary objective was to save lives from potential extrajudicial killings, driven solely by humanitarian considerations. "Most of these asylum seekers left the cantonments within one to two days; five individuals were handed over to law enforcement agencies based on existing charges or cases, following due legal procedures," added the ISPR. Earlier on 18 August 2024,  ISPR issued an official press release  regarding the people staying in the cantonment and seeking asylum and on the same day a list of 193 individuals (excluding 432 general police personnel and 1 NSI personnel) was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs - which was a settled matter. The provision of temporary shelter was a humanitarian gesture aimed at safeguarding their safety and lives. The ISPR emphasised that, given the security threats at the time, the lives of those seeking refuge could have been at risk. However, it also condemned the deliberate spread of misleading information intended to tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Army and to create distance between the military and the people. The Bangladesh Army also urged the people to remain vigilant against such misinformation. It reaffirmed its commitment to serve the nation with professionalism, dedication, and trust, while safeguarding the sovereignty of Bangladesh, according to the ISPR.

A leader of Krishak Dal, farmers wing of BNP, was shot and hacked to death in Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore district on Thursday . The deceased was identified as Tariqul Islam, president of Noapara municipality unit of BNP and son of Ibrahim Sardar of Dhopadi village of the municipality under Abhaynagar upazila of the district. Locals said there had been a dispute between Tariqul and some villagers over a fish enclosure in Dahar Masiahati village. Krishak Dal leader hacked to death in Sitakunda Miscreants shot and hacked him with sharp weapons to death in the village around 6pm, said Abdul Alim, officer-in-charge of Abhaynagar police station. Details about the murder will be shared later, the OC said.

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on actress Meher Afroz Shaon, former Detective Branch chief Harun-Or-Rashid and 10 others in an  attempted murder case. Judge of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah passed the order in the presence of two of the accused, said the court’s bench assistant Parvez Sumon. The rest of the accused face travel ban include Shaon’s father engineer Md Ali, sister Mahin Afroz Shinjan, former Dhaka Metropolitan’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Islam, police inspector Saiful Islam, sub inspectors Shah Alam and Mokhlesur Rahman Milon, four others Sejuti, Sabbir, Subrata Das and Maniul Hossain. Of them, Saiful and Shah Alam were present at the court. Attempted murder case: Actress Shaon faces arrest warrant Earlier on April 22, the court issued arrest warrant for the accused. On March 13, Shaon’s step-mother Nishi Islam filed the case on charge of beating up and attempting to murder her against the accused with a Dhaka court. According to the case statement, on February 21 last year accused Md Ali married Nishi Islam concealing his previous marriage, family and alluring her of wealth. Later, the victim came to know about the previous marriage and one son, three daughters of Md Ali. On March 4 later year, the accused dragged her out of the house of Ali when she went to it in Gulshan. Shaon, Sohana Saba released after questioning On the next day, Shaon and police official Nazmul went to the victim’s house where Shaon beat her up when she refused to sign on a blank paper. On April 24, police inspector Shah Alam called her to the DB office where Shaon and other accused also beat her.

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on former director general (DG) of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, his wife Nigar Sultana and two others over graft allegations. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order. The two others are Abdul Kaiyum, brother-in-law of former director general of National Security Intelligence Department (NSI) Major General TM Zobayer and Abu Syed Md Mustaque, a member of National Board of Revenue (NBR). SMM Akhter Hamid Bhuiyan, director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), filed a petition seeking travel ban on Sheikh Mamun and his wife. Court imposes travel ban on close aide of ex-DB chief Harun, 2 others In the petition, allegations were brought against Sheikh Mamun over amassing wealth after misusing power, irregularities and embezzling money. Besides, ACC director Md Manjur Alam filed another petition seeking travel ban on Kaiyum and the NBR member for assisting former DG of NSI TM Zobayer in amassing wealth.

Former Member of Parliament and renowned singer Momtaz Begum was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Manikganj on Thursday (May 22) as an accused in multiple cases, including murder. She was brought to the court from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur in a police prison van around 8:30am, according to court sources. Officer-in-charge (OC) Abul Khair of the court police said Momtaz Begum was named the prime accused in a murder case filed over the killing of four people during a hartal procession in Gobindol area of Singair upazila in 2013. The case was filed on October 25 last year by Md Majnu Molla of Gobindol village under Singair Police Station. Singer Noble arrested in domestic violence case: Police Besides, another case was filed against her at Harirampur Police Station on charges of assault and vandalism. According to OC Abul Khair, the case was filed by Md Delwar Hossain, the organisational secretary of Harirampur upazila BNP, on October 29. The police officer said a hearing regarding the cases was scheduled to take place at 11:30am today (Thursday) in the courtrooms of Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-1 Judge Muhammad Abdun Nur and Court-3 Judge Ivy Akhter. Police submitted a petition seeking a 7-day remand in the Singair murder case and a 5-day remand in the Harirampur assault case, the OC said. Prior to this, Momtaz had been on a 4-day remand in connection with several murder cases filed in various police stations in Dhaka. Upon completion of that remand, she was sent to Kashimpur Central Jail.