Dhaka University administration has come under criticism for allegedly violating housing policies by allocating dormitory seats to at least 36 leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. The allocations reportedly went to students from sessions as old as 2008–09 to 2016–17, while newly admitted students of the 2025–26 academic year remain without accommodation. Protesters claim the decision was politically motivated and worsened the ongoing housing crisis.

In response, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall representatives held a protest on April 20 in front of the registrar building, demanding fair seat distribution and accountability from the administration. They issued a seven-day ultimatum for resolving the crisis, warning of class boycotts if no action is taken. DUCSU leaders also called for housing allowances or stipends for students unable to secure seats.

Vice-Chancellor Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam acknowledged the housing shortage, saying the university cannot provide accommodation for all students and promised a full report by April 30. However, many students remain dissatisfied, alleging that political favoritism continues to override official housing policies.

An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the distribution of government rice allocated for unemployed fishermen in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision on Monday, following reports that the rice distribution did not follow official guidelines. The committee is headed by Bijon Kumar Nandi, District Fisheries Officer of Patuakhali, under the directive of State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

According to media reports cited by the ministry, fishermen in Hajipur Union were supposed to receive 80 kilograms of rice each, but only 50 kilograms were distributed per person, leading to dissatisfaction among recipients. The ministry took notice of these reports and instructed the committee to uncover the facts and identify those responsible.

The ministry also directed all concerned officials to ensure transparency and accountability so that government aid reaches the rightful beneficiaries effectively.

At least twelve leading universities in the United Kingdom, including Oxford, Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics, have hired a private intelligence agency run by former military officers to monitor their own students and staff. According to a joint investigation by Al Jazeera English and Liberty Investigates, the surveillance targeted individuals expressing solidarity with Palestine. The firm, Horus Security Consultancy Limited, reportedly received about £440,000 since 2022 to conduct social media monitoring and secret counterterrorism threat assessments using artificial intelligence.

The investigation found that Manchester Metropolitan University requested a secret counterterrorism assessment on Palestinian-origin scholar Rabab Ibrahim Abdulhadi, while Bristol University asked the firm to monitor pro-Palestinian and animal rights activists. The United Nations special rapporteur Gina Romero described the surveillance as a matter of serious legal concern, and the University and College Union’s general secretary Jo Grady called it shameful. Horus declined to respond to Al Jazeera’s questions.

Imperial College and the University of Sheffield denied conducting surveillance, stating they only analyzed publicly available data to maintain campus safety. Horus, founded in 2006, is led by former military intelligence officers, including Colonel Tim Collins, who previously criticized pro-Palestinian protests.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman sharply criticized the government in Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Monday, April 20, 2026, calling the ongoing fuel and gas shortage the country’s most pressing issue. He moved an adjournment motion to discuss the crisis, during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. Rahman said that while the government claims there is no fuel shortage, citizens outside parliament are struggling to obtain oil.

He argued that the government’s official statements do not match the reality faced by ordinary people, citing widespread public dissatisfaction. Rahman noted that even the High Court has had to operate virtually due to the crisis, questioning the government’s denial of shortages. He emphasized that parliament exists to serve citizens and that ignoring their suffering undermines its purpose.

Rahman acknowledged that the crisis has global dimensions linked to war-related disruptions but urged inclusive discussion and cooperation. He requested that the Speaker allocate time for a detailed debate in the presence of the Leader of the House to address the issue comprehensively.

A Dhaka court has ordered the jail gate interrogation of pharmacy owner Khalilur Rahman, accused of severely injuring a nine-year-old boy during a circumcision procedure in Mohammadpur. The order was issued on Monday, April 20, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam. The prosecution confirmed the directive after both sides presented arguments regarding the remand and bail petitions.

According to case details, the incident occurred on March 22 when the child was taken to Khalil Medical in the Dhaka Udyan area for circumcision. During the procedure, a portion of the boy’s genital organ was cut off due to alleged negligence. The child was later treated at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute. The boy’s grandfather filed a case on April 10, leading to Khalilur Rahman’s arrest that evening and subsequent imprisonment.

The court rejected both the remand and bail petitions, directing that the accused be questioned for one day at the jail gate instead of police custody.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has accused influential bus and launch owners’ associations of attempting to unilaterally increase fares in violation of international consumer rights laws. The allegation was made by the association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, at a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. He claimed that transport owners were fixing fares without passenger representation by influencing certain government officials.

The association argued that while fare adjustments should reflect changes in fuel prices, the current process lacks transparency and excludes passengers. It alleged that fare calculations are based on arbitrary cost components determined by owners, with no opportunity for verification by government or independent parties. The group also criticized the use of outdated buses in Dhaka and Chattogram, claiming inflated costs are used to justify higher fares.

The Passenger Welfare Association demanded government intervention and warned of strong protests if fare hikes exceed justified levels. Representatives from the Consumer Association of Bangladesh also spoke at the event, supporting the call for fair fare determination.

A Dhaka court has ordered a three-day remand for former Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) director and dismissed officer Md Afzal Naser in connection with the murder of Delwar Hossain during the July uprising in Mirpur. The order, marking his sixth round of remand, was issued on Monday, April 20, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Jamshed Alam. The prosecution confirmed the decision after the Detective Branch (DB) police presented Naser in court and sought a seven-day remand.

According to the case details, on July 19, 2024, a peaceful protest by students and citizens at Mirpur 10 was attacked by 500–700 Awami League activists armed with local weapons. Under the direction of Sheikh Mamun Khaled, indiscriminate gunfire was opened on the demonstrators, injuring Delwar Hossain, who later died on July 21, 2024, at a private hospital in Shyamoli. The case was filed at Mirpur Police Station in July 2025.

Law enforcement arrested Afzal Naser on March 30, 2026, from a residence in Mirpur DOHS. The court proceedings continue as part of the ongoing investigation into the killing.

A fugitive accused in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif has been arrested in Chattogram. Police detained Lala, also known as Lala Methor, aged 43, on Monday, April 20, from the Bundel Road area under Kotwali Police Station. According to the station’s officer-in-charge, the arrest was made with the help of information technology, and the suspect was later produced before the court. Authorities confirmed that special operations are continuing to capture the remaining fugitives.

With this arrest, the total number of detained suspects in the case has reached 26, while 13 others remain at large. The charge sheet lists 39 accused, including Chinmoy Krishna Das. The case is currently in the witness examination stage, with the next hearing scheduled for April 29.

The case stems from the November 26, 2024, incident when lawyer Alif was killed amid chaos at the Chattogram court premises following protests over the detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case.

Two diesel-carrying ships have anchored at the Dolphin Jetty of Chattogram Port, and fuel unloading has already begun. According to a press release from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) issued on Monday afternoon, the MT Oaktree carrying 35,000 metric tons of diesel and the MT Cape Bonny carrying 33,000 metric tons arrived between midnight and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Unloading from both ships started before noon.

BPC also reported that three more vessels—MT Lian Song Hu with 41,000 metric tons of diesel, MT Pacific Indigo with about 33,000 metric tons of diesel, and MT Nave Cielo with about 27,000 metric tons of octane—are waiting at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The corporation stated that these arrivals have strengthened the country’s fuel reserves.

The port authority confirmed that all necessary logistics and security measures have been reinforced to ensure quick unloading. BPC added that the fuel will be distributed to depots and marketing networks nationwide to help stabilize supply and meet ongoing demand.

A Dhaka court has scheduled May 11 for the hearing on charge framing against former National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman in a corruption case involving illegal wealth of Tk 5.5 crore. The order was issued on April 20 by Divisional Special Judge Sharmin Afroze. Matiur’s lawyer, Md Wahiduzzaman Liton Dhali, confirmed the court’s decision.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) charge sheet, Matiur Rahman concealed assets worth Tk 1.24 crore in his wealth statement and amassed Tk 5.40 crore in illegal assets through abuse of power, bribery, and corruption. The ACC had earlier filed two separate cases against Matiur and his second wife, Shammi Akhter Shibli, on December 15, 2024, for concealing information and acquiring illegal wealth.

The first case against Matiur involves Tk 5.28 crore in illegal assets, for which the charge sheet has been approved. The second case, involving Tk 1.87 crore in illegal wealth and Tk 2.75 crore in undisclosed assets, is still under investigation. Matiur and his first wife, Laila Kaniz Lucky, were arrested on January 14, 2025, and remain in custody.

Suraiya Jerin Roni from Bogura has been nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a Member of Parliament for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The final list includes both senior leaders and young grassroots women leaders, with Roni’s name among them.

Roni currently serves as the Joint General Secretary of the Bogura District Women’s Wing of the BNP and previously held the position of Female Vice Chairman of Gabtali Upazila Parishad. Her nomination has generated enthusiasm among BNP leaders and activists in Bogura. She began her political career in the student wing of the party and played a prominent role in the student and public uprisings of July and August 2024.

Roni stated that her nomination reflects the BNP’s commitment to dedicated grassroots activists and reaffirmed her lifelong dedication to serving the people.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said his government aims to end corruption and improve citizens’ livelihoods using domestic resources. Speaking on Monday afternoon at a family card distribution event at Shahid Zia Degree College field in Bagbari, Bogura, he emphasized his commitment to changing the fate of the nation’s people. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was also present at the event.

Rahman announced that 911 mothers received family cards at the event and that distribution will expand to 23 more upazilas by April 30. Over the next five years, four crore mothers are expected to receive these cards. He also inaugurated the re-excavation of Chowkir Ghat canal, originally dug by his father in 1979, and outlined plans to dig 20,000 kilometers of canals nationwide to aid agriculture, prevent floods, and ensure water availability.

During his Bogura visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated several projects, including an e-bail bond service, the Bogura City Corporation, and a measles-rubella vaccination campaign, signaling a focus on governance, infrastructure, and public health.

The executive council election of the Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Journalists’ Association (HABIPROBISAS) for 2026 has been completed. Talha Hasan, university representative of Somoyer Konthoshor, was elected president, while Md. Rafiul Huda, university representative of Banglavision, was elected general secretary. Voting took place on Sunday, April 19, at the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Vote counting was temporarily halted due to a clash between two halls but resumed the next day. The results were officially announced on Monday, April 20, by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. S.M. Emdadul Hasan.

Assistant election commissioners included Professor Dr. Md. Nowser Wan, the university proctor, and Khademul Islam, director of the public relations and publication office. A total of 23 members cast their votes, with 20 voting in person and 3 by postal ballot. Eleven positions were contested, including vice president, joint general secretary, and other executive roles. The chief election commissioner congratulated the newly elected committee and expressed satisfaction that the election was held in a festive and democratic atmosphere.

He also expressed hope that the new leadership would work together for the welfare of students and uphold democratic practices within the association.

A workshop titled 'Climate Change, Women's Livelihoods and the Context of the Southwest Region' was held on April 20, 2026, at the Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of Khulna Press Club. Participants called for a separate budget allocation for coastal areas and the creation of gender-friendly laws to improve the lives of women and children. They also urged the government to adopt a long-term national plan to solve the drinking water crisis affecting residents of Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira.

Speakers at the event, organized by Badabon Sangho, highlighted that inadequate communication systems and water scarcity are the main challenges for coastal communities. These issues contribute to health problems, including skin diseases, while access to healthcare remains limited. The workshop was chaired by Professor Anarul Kadir of Sundarban Academy and featured contributions from academics, journalists, and social activists.

Speakers further noted that climate change has deeply affected the livelihoods of people in the three districts. Rising salinity, natural disasters, shrimp farming expansion, land-use changes, and industrialization are threatening the environment and biodiversity of the Sundarbans region.

Two employees of the Rajapur Upazila Youth Development Office in Jhalakathi have allegedly been absent from work for seven years while continuing to draw their salaries through hired proxies. According to the report, cashier Abdur Rob and office assistant-cum-computer operator Md. Anwar Hossain have not attended the office during this period. Instead, a woman named Jhumur and a man named Isa have been working in their place for a monthly payment of seven thousand taka.

Officials and locals said that office operations have been disrupted due to the use of proxies, causing difficulties for service recipients and delays in official work. The situation has sparked anger among local residents, who have demanded an immediate investigation. Abdur Rob denied the allegations, claiming he stayed away from the office at the request of authorities, while Anwar Hossain cited illness and accused an official of demanding money.

Upazila Youth Development Officer Md. Kamrul Islam stated that the matter has been reported to higher authorities. Deputy Director Md. Alauddin confirmed that action will be taken soon, emphasizing that proxy employment is not permitted.