A mobile court sentenced two individuals, including a Dhaka University student, to 15 days in jail for attempting to sit as proxies during Jahangirnagar University’s 2025–26 admission test. The incident occurred on December 22 during the third shift of the ‘B’ unit exam at the university’s School and College Center, where invigilators caught one suspect red-handed.

The detained student, identified as Md. Ehsanul Haque Jisan, a student of Urdu at Dhaka University, confessed to taking the test on behalf of applicant Rafid Hossain Sajid. Following interrogation, university authorities also detained Sajid. Jahangirnagar University’s Proctor, Professor Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam, confirmed that both were handed over to the mobile court, which imposed a 15-day imprisonment.

The university administration has canceled Sajid’s previous test results and permanently blocked his registration to prevent future participation in JU admission exams. The incident underscores the institution’s strict stance against academic fraud and highlights growing concerns over proxy testing in competitive university admissions.

A Dhaka court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to preserve the DNA sample of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha, as part of an ongoing investigation into his death. The order was issued on Monday by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junayed following a petition from Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed.

According to the petition, Hadi was injured by gunfire from unidentified assailants in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12. He was treated at Dhaka Medical College and Evercare Hospital before being transferred to Singapore General Hospital, where he died on December 18. His body was returned to Bangladesh on December 19, and a post-mortem examination was conducted the next day by Dr. Nashat Zabin of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College.

The court emphasized that preserving the DNA sample at the CID’s profiling laboratory is essential for ensuring a fair and thorough investigation. The Chief DNA Analyst of the Bangladesh Police Forensic Department has been assigned to oversee the profiling and storage process.

Late on December 18, coordinated attacks targeted the headquarters of two major Bangladeshi newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. The assailants vandalized, looted, and set fire to both buildings, causing extensive damage. Several journalists at The Daily Star were trapped inside before being rescued by law enforcement. Police have arrested 17 suspects and launched operations to apprehend others believed to be involved.

Following the incident, The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam described it as the first instance since Bangladesh’s independence that a media office had been set on fire. However, historical records show earlier attacks on news organizations, including the 2013 arson at the Naya Diganta office in Dhaka and the 2019 vandalism at the Sangram newspaper office. These precedents highlight a troubling pattern of violence against the press.

The recent assaults have reignited concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Bangladesh. Media watchdogs and civil society groups have urged authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further intimidation of journalists.

A Dhaka court has ordered 15 individuals to be sent to jail in connection with the violent attack, arson, and looting at the office of national daily Prothom Alo in Karwan Bazar. Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana issued the order after a hearing on Monday evening, rejecting bail petitions for 12 of the accused. Police said the arrests were made following multiple raids based on intelligence and witness accounts.

According to the case statement, on December 18, a mob of 400–500 people gathered outside the newspaper’s office after being incited through social media posts. The attackers vandalized gates, broke glass panels, looted valuables including cash and electronics, and set parts of the building on fire, causing an estimated loss of BDT 320 million. Police recovered BDT 50,000 in stolen cash and goods from one suspect.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities verify the suspects’ identities and addresses. The court emphasized that continued detention is necessary to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation into the large-scale attack on one of Bangladesh’s leading media institutions.

National Citizen Party (NCP) labor wing leader Md. Motaleb Shikdar was shot and injured in Khulna on Monday afternoon. Initially claiming he was attacked on the street, police later determined the shooting occurred inside a residence in the Sonadanga area. Motaleb was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital and is now out of danger, according to doctors.

Investigators found no evidence at the alleged street scene but discovered a bullet casing, liquor bottles, and drug paraphernalia inside the home of a woman named Tonni, identified as a known drug dealer. Police believe Motaleb had a personal connection with her and frequently visited the house. CCTV footage showed Motaleb and others entering the residence the previous night. Authorities suspect an internal dispute led to the shooting.

Law enforcement continues to search for Tonni, who fled after locking the house. Police officials said the motive remains unclear but confirmed that forensic and digital evidence are being analyzed to identify all those involved.

A Chattogram court has ordered the formal arrest of listed top criminal Sajjad Hossain, known as ‘Chhoto Sajjad,’ and his wife Sharmin Tamanna in connection with another murder case. The order was issued on Sunday by Metropolitan Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique after a virtual hearing. Both accused are currently in separate prisons—Sajjad in Rajshahi and Tamanna in Feni—and were not physically presented in court due to security concerns.

According to prosecutors, the case involves the killing of madrasa student Nizam Uddin during an anti-discrimination movement in the city’s New Market area on August 5 last year. Police investigations linked Sajjad and Tamanna to the murder, prompting the court to approve their arrest in this case. Sajjad faces 19 criminal cases, including 10 for murder, while Tamanna is accused in eight cases. Both were previously granted bail in seven murder cases, but the High Court later suspended those bail orders.

The latest court order reinforces the state’s stance on pursuing high-profile crime cases and signals tighter scrutiny of bail processes for repeat offenders.

A Mymensingh court has granted a three-day remand for 12 individuals arrested in connection with the killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, 27, in Bhaluka. Senior Judicial Magistrate Shahadat Hossain issued the order after police sought five days of remand to investigate the planning and instigation behind the murder. Investigators aim to identify external organizers and those who allegedly incited the violence.

According to police and family sources, Dipu, an employee of Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Ltd, was beaten and killed after being accused of blasphemy. His family claims the allegation was fabricated to silence his activism for workers’ rights. CCTV footage reportedly shows that many attackers were outsiders, suggesting the violence was premeditated rather than spontaneous.

The case has sparked concern among labor rights advocates, who view it as an alarming example of how workplace disputes can be manipulated through religious provocation. Authorities are under pressure to ensure a transparent investigation and to hold both perpetrators and complicit factory officials accountable.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said authorities remain uncertain about the whereabouts of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the killing of July uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Faisal may still be in the country or may have fled abroad, he told reporters after the 18th meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee. Ten people, including Faisal’s family members and associates, have been arrested so far in connection with the murder.

The adviser emphasized that the government is prioritizing justice for Hadi’s killing while maintaining maximum security ahead of the national election, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Operation Devil Hunt Phase–2, launched on December 13, has led to over 13,500 arrests and the recovery of illegal weapons and explosives. Security has been reinforced at churches, media offices, and major city areas.

Officials said law enforcement remains on high alert to prevent violence, extortion, and political unrest as the election approaches, with special training and surveillance measures already in place.

Bangladesh Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that the trial for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi will be conducted in a Speedy Trial Tribunal and completed within 90 days after the police report is submitted. The statement was made on Monday through his verified Facebook page, citing Section 10 of the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002, which allows for expedited proceedings in serious criminal cases.

The announcement follows growing public and organizational pressure for swift justice. The group Inquilab Moncho held a press conference in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area, urging the inclusion of international investigative agencies such as the FBI and Scotland Yard in the probe. Its member secretary, Abdullah Al Jaber, emphasized the need for transparency and international cooperation to ensure accountability.

Legal experts note that the decision to use a fast-track tribunal underscores the government’s intent to deliver justice efficiently, though concerns remain about maintaining due process. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it proceeds under heightened public scrutiny.

A journalist and five student activists from Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, have reported receiving death and abduction threats through Facebook Messenger. The threats, allegedly sent from an account named 'No Caption', mentioned multiple individuals and outlined a plan for sequential killings. The victims, including journalist Md. Ehsanul Haque (Ehsan Bin Mujahir) and student leader Md. Mujahidul Islam, filed a general diary (GD) at Sreemangal Police Station on Sunday night.

Ehsanul Haque, known for reporting on corruption and anti-drug issues, said he has faced similar threats and attacks before, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in earlier investigations. The Sreemangal Press Club strongly condemned the incident, calling it an attack on press freedom and demanding swift legal action. Police confirmed receipt of the GD and stated that digital evidence and screenshots are being verified.

The incident has sparked concern among local journalists and activists, highlighting growing risks for those involved in advocacy and investigative reporting in regional Bangladesh. Authorities have pledged to identify the perpetrators and ensure security for the victims.

A 22-year-old street vendor named Shahin Mia was allegedly beaten to death in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, after being accused of theft. According to police and family sources, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Madhyapara area, where Shahin was forcibly confined and assaulted by several villagers. His body was later taken to the district hospital morgue for autopsy.

Family members claim that Shahin had been wrongly accused of stealing a silver chain belonging to a local resident’s relative. They allege that Arfat Ali and his nephews led the attack. Police have recovered the body and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of death and identify those involved. Inspector Krishna Lal Ghosh confirmed that legal action will follow based on the post-mortem report and family complaint.

The incident has sparked local outrage and renewed concerns over mob justice in rural Bangladesh. Authorities have urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands as investigations continue.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted two coordinated operations under the Dighaltari Border Outpost (BOP) in Lalmonirhat, seizing Indian cattle and various smuggled goods. The raids, carried out by the 15 BGB Battalion, led to the confiscation of two Indian cows, cumin, sugar, snacks, a blanket, and a bicycle, with a total seizure value of approximately BDT 281,680.

According to BGB officials, one suspect fled toward India after being challenged by patrol members near Namatari on November 21. The seized items included 12 kilograms of cumin, 38 kilograms of sugar, and other goods. Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of the Lalmonirhat Battalion, stated that the BGB remains vigilant to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking, emphasizing increased intelligence surveillance and patrols in sensitive border zones.

Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings are underway to identify and prosecute those involved in cross-border smuggling. The operation reflects BGB’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal trade and maintain security along Bangladesh’s northern frontier.

Mohammad Motaleb Shikdar, convenor of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) Khulna divisional committee, was shot and critically injured on Monday, December 22, 2025. The incident occurred around noon, and he was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital for treatment. The attack has sparked widespread concern within the party and among local residents.

According to NCP joint chief organizer Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, who confirmed the news on social media, Shikdar was targeted in a sudden shooting. Law enforcement agencies have begun an investigation to determine the motive and identify those involved. Police officials are preparing an official statement regarding the incident.

Senior NCP leaders have strongly condemned the attack, urging authorities to ensure a swift and transparent investigation. The incident highlights growing political tensions in the region, with observers warning that such violence could further destabilize local political activities if not addressed promptly.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has appealed against the five-year prison sentence handed to him by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The appeal, filed on December 17, seeks acquittal from charges related to crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July Uprising. The tribunal had delivered its verdict on November 17, sentencing Mamun to five years in prison.

The judgment was issued by a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Murtuza Mozumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. Prosecutors had earlier, on March 16, requested that Mamun be made an accused in the case, a motion the tribunal accepted.

Legal analysts note that the appeal will test the tribunal’s procedural robustness and may set a precedent for future cases involving senior officials. The Supreme Court is expected to schedule a hearing date in early 2026, with both prosecution and defense preparing extensive documentation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has initiated an investigation against 13 senior officials of the National Security Intelligence (NSI), including three additional directors and six joint directors, over allegations of corruption and illegal wealth accumulation. The ACC’s headquarters approved the inquiry on Sunday, assigning 13 of its own officers to conduct the probe, confirmed Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Akhtarul Islam.

According to the ACC, the accused officials face specific allegations of abuse of power, bribery, extortion, money laundering, and possession of assets beyond known sources of income, both in their own names and those of their spouses. The officials under scrutiny include Additional Directors Md. Azizur Rahman, M.S.K. Shaheen, and Mohammad Zahir Uddin, among others.

The investigation marks one of the most extensive corruption inquiries into a national intelligence agency in recent years. Legal experts note that the case could test the ACC’s independence and transparency in handling sensitive institutions. Further actions will depend on the findings of the initial inquiry, which is expected to take several weeks.