Iran has suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian citizens following a surge in human trafficking and fraudulent job offers targeting Indians. The new rule, effective from November 22, requires all Indian travelers, including those transiting through Iran, to obtain a visa in advance. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Iranian government’s decision aims to curb trafficking networks exploiting visa-free access to lure Indians with promises of high-paying jobs or easy routes to Gulf and European countries. Investigations revealed that many victims were kidnapped or held for ransom upon arrival in Iran. The Indian government had earlier warned citizens about fake job agents misusing the visa-free policy, which was originally introduced in February last year to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote tourism. Under the previous arrangement, Indian passport holders could visit Iran for up to 15 days every six months without a visa. Tehran’s move reflects growing concern over the misuse of this facility by criminal syndicates.

Dhaka University Deputy Registrar Lavlu Mollah Shishir has been sent to jail after a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate denied his bail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He was arrested for allegedly financing a banned Awami League procession held in Shahbagh, Dhaka. Police stated that evidence linked him to funding the rally, which was organized in defiance of restrictions and aimed at spreading propaganda against the interim government. Additionally, authorities noted that following a court verdict sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, Lavlu posted a controversial photo card on Facebook expressing political slogans. He was detained shortly afterward. The case was filed on June 1, and the incident reportedly occurred on May 31 in the Paribagh area. Lavlu, a former president of the banned Chhatra League’s Surya Sen Hall unit, remains in custody pending further investigation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of immovable properties worth Tk 180.37 crore belonging to NASA Group Chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder, including 162 kathas of land in the Jalshiri Housing Project and 53 registered plots. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez on Tuesday, November 18, following a petition by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Shahjahan Miraj. The court also directed the freezing of Tk 2.02 crore across three bank accounts. The ACC alleged that Majumder amassed Tk 781 crore through misuse of power, bribery, and corruption, which are inconsistent with his known sources of income. Investigators claimed that he was attempting to transfer or sell his assets before the case’s resolution. The court acted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2002, and the ACC Rules, 2007, to prevent potential loss to the state.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 74 bank accounts associated with Tanvir Ahmed Mishuk, former managing director of mobile financial service provider Nagad Limited, and other related individuals and entities. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID sought the freeze to ensure an impartial investigation into allegations that Nagad officials and affiliates may have issued excess e-money, embezzled funds through fraudulent transactions, and laundered money abroad. The petition also raised suspicions of undervalued share transfers to foreign investors as part of possible money laundering. The accounts will remain frozen until the investigation concludes under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended 2015). The court’s decision aims to prevent any transfer of funds that could obstruct the ongoing inquiry.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 33 bank accounts belonging to former Home Minister and ex-chairman of Farmers Bank Limited, Dr. Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir, and his wife Sitara Alamgir. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC alleged that the couple attempted to withdraw and transfer funds from their accounts to conceal illegally obtained money. Investigators suspect the accounts were used for money laundering between 2009 and September 2024, involving over Tk 216 crore and foreign currency transactions. The freeze was imposed under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and the ACC Rules, 2007, to ensure a fair investigation. The ACC had earlier filed a case against the couple on November 12, accusing them of concealing the sources and ownership of illicit wealth.

A Dhaka court has authorized the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain income tax records of Awami League Presidium Member and former MP Kazi Zafar Ullah, his wife Nilufar Zafar Ullah, and their children. The order, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, directs the Tax Zone-8 office to provide copies of the family’s tax files from 2008 to 2025. The CID sought the records as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering, fraud, and extortion involving Kazi Zafar Ullah and his associates. According to the CID’s application, the accused are suspected of acquiring substantial movable and immovable assets through illicit means and transferring funds to foreign destinations, including the British Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, and Dubai. Additional Public Prosecutor Mostafa Sarowar Murad represented the state during the hearing, after which the court granted the request.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of over 46.4 million shares held in Meghna Bank under the names of three individuals linked to former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed. The order, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, follows a petition from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Financial Crimes Unit. The accused—Imrana Zaman Chowdhury, former director of Meghna Bank PLC; Utpal Pal, managing director of Steadfast Management Trading Ltd; and Nasim Uddin Mohammad Adil, a director of the same firm—allegedly used illicit funds to purchase shares worth about 599.5 million taka. Investigators claim the money originated from foreign transfers via Singapore and Dubai and was later funneled into local bank accounts to conceal its illegal source. The court ruled that freezing the shares was necessary to prevent the accused from liquidating assets and obstructing the ongoing money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

A major fire broke out early Tuesday morning in the Bou Bazar area of Tongi, Gazipur, burning down six warehouses storing jute and plastic sacks. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze started suddenly around 6 a.m. and quickly spread to nearby warehouses. Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly and managed to bring the fire under control after about an hour of effort. Senior Station Officer Shahin Alam of Tongi Fire Service confirmed that no casualties occurred in the incident. All stored goods, including jute and plastic sacks, were completely destroyed. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire or assess the extent of the damage, and an investigation is underway to identify the source and evaluate losses.

A bizarre accident occurred in Jodhpur, India, when a camel collided with a private car and crashed through its roof, leaving both the animal and the driver seriously injured. Eyewitnesses reported that the camel suddenly appeared on the road, giving the driver no time to brake. The impact destroyed the car’s front section, including the bumper, bonnet, and windshield, and caused the camel’s upper body to become trapped inside the vehicle for nearly two hours. Locals rushed to rescue the injured driver, identified as Ramsingh, who was taken to a hospital in Jodhpur after receiving first aid. The camel was later freed using mechanical equipment in a joint effort by local residents and authorities. Images and videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, showing the distressed animal struggling to escape from the wrecked car.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against Dilip Kumar Agarwala, owner of Diamond World and Diamond World Limited, over alleged illegal transactions worth Tk 678 crore. According to CID officials, the company procured gold and diamonds through smuggling and failed to provide valid documentation for their sources. The Financial Crime Unit launched an investigation in September 2024 after reviewing the company’s financial records and bank accounts. Findings indicated that between 2006 and February 2024, Diamond World legally imported goods worth Tk 38 crore but acquired additional gold and diamonds valued at Tk 678 crore from undocumented sources. CID concluded that these assets were likely obtained through smuggling and used for money laundering. Following approval on November 16, the case was officially filed at Gulshan Police Station, and CID will continue its investigation to verify financial documents, bank transactions, and related evidence.

Golam Kibria, the member secretary of the BNP-affiliated Jubo Dal’s Pallabi unit, was shot dead by three helmeted assailants in Dhaka’s Pallabi area on Monday evening. CCTV footage shows the attackers entering a hardware store and firing multiple rounds at Kibria from close range before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. He was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police detained one suspect with public help and recovered seven shell casings from the site. During their escape, the assailants also shot a rickshaw driver, Arif, for not driving fast enough; he remains hospitalized. Authorities are investigating whether the killing stemmed from internal party conflict or other motives. Local BNP and Jubo Dal activists staged protests demanding justice and a fair investigation into the politically sensitive murder.

A deputy registrar of Dhaka University, Lavlu Molla Shishir, was handed over to Shahbagh police by students after posting a controversial image on Facebook following the death sentence verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a war crimes case. The post, featuring Hasina’s photo with the caption 'I don’t care,' triggered strong reactions among students. DUCSU’s Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma confirmed on social media that students turned him over to the police, emphasizing their stance against individuals they consider collaborators. Shahbagh Police Officer-in-Charge Khalid Mansur confirmed receiving Shishir and said legal action is being taken.

National Youth Power has strongly condemned the killing of Jubo Dal leader and Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal member secretary Golam Kibria, who was shot dead by masked assailants in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. In a joint statement, convenor Advocate Md. Tarikul Islam and member secretary Dr. Zahedul Islam described the incident as a premeditated political assassination that threatens national security and political stability. They said video footage shows the attackers acting with cold-blooded precision, indicating a planned target killing. The organization demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators, a transparent investigation, and protection for Kibria’s family. It also urged the government to strengthen law enforcement in key areas of the capital and adopt effective measures to curb political violence. The leaders emphasized that terrorism and fear-based politics undermine democracy and vowed that National Youth Power will continue to protest until justice is served.

A report by the newspaper Amar Desh claims that during Bangladesh’s 2018 national election—widely referred to as the 'night vote' due to alleged irregularities—the then-ruling Awami League created an illicit fund of about Tk 8,000 crore to finance election manipulation. The money was reportedly collected through extortion, fake loans, and tender manipulation from businesses and banks. According to the report, Tk 3,500 crore was distributed among law enforcement and intelligence officials as incentives to ensure control over the election process, while Tk 5,000 crore was allegedly embezzled by four influential figures, including Sheikh Rehana, Salman F Rahman, H.T. Imam, and S. Alam. The report further alleges that senior police and administrative officials received large sums to facilitate vote rigging, with a sophisticated distribution network ensuring the funds reached various police units across the country. The claims, based on unnamed investigative sources, have not been independently verified.

A joint security operation in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf Rohingya camps led to the arrest of three suspected robbers in possession of a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition, and a magazine. The coordinated raid involved the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), district police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar Battalion, and the Department of Narcotics Control. Acting on intelligence, the team raided the Noyapara registered camp’s B-block area, where armed men were reportedly preparing for a robbery. The suspects—Mohammad Hasan (25), Md. Nur Kalam (26), and Abdur Razzak (28)—were detained after attempting to flee. Authorities confirmed that the detainees admitted to planning a robbery with 10–12 accomplices. In separate operations, two convicted fugitives were captured, and seven individuals were detained for illegal gambling and penalized by a mobile court. Law enforcement officials stated that further legal actions are underway against those arrested.