The interim government has formed an investigation committee to probe an incident in Noakhali’s Hatiya, where a woman was allegedly assaulted and her husband beaten after they voted for the National Citizen Party (NCP) symbol ‘Shapla Koli’. The matter was disclosed on Sunday afternoon during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the Home Affairs Adviser confirmed the formation of the committee, which will thoroughly investigate the case.

During the same meeting, the council expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Home Affairs and related agencies for successfully completing the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The Chief Adviser described the election as unprecedented, noting the absence of post-election violence against religious minorities and highlighting strong police performance and high female voter turnout.

The meeting also discussed preparations for the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament and the new government, scheduled for February 17 at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, with the government coordinating security arrangements with the BNP.

Dhaka University teacher and assistant proctor Sheherin Amin Bhuiya Monami has alleged that she received death threats through phone calls from multiple unknown numbers. She made the claim in a Facebook post on Sunday, where she also shared several screenshots showing calls from unidentified sources. Monami stated that she has been facing numerous death threats since February 13, describing the latest incident as one among many.

In her verified Facebook post, Monami mentioned BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, questioning whether the current situation reflects a 'women-friendly and safe' Bangladesh. She further wrote that all Muslims should be prepared for death and that she has been ready since July 31, 2024. The post has drawn attention online, though no official response or investigation details were mentioned in the source.

The report did not specify whether any formal complaint has been filed or if authorities have taken action regarding the threats.

A Dhaka court has again postponed the submission of the further investigation report in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho’s Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court had set Sunday for the report’s submission, but as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to file it, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam fixed February 19 as the new date. This marks the seventh delay in submitting the report.

The case stems from the December 12 shooting of Osman Hadi on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Police Station, after which he was taken to Singapore for treatment but died on December 18. A case was filed on December 14 by Inqilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, initially under several penal code sections, later amended to include murder charges. On January 6, a charge sheet against 17 accused was submitted by the Detective Branch, but the plaintiff expressed dissatisfaction and requested further investigation, which the court granted to the CID.

Among the accused, 11 are in custody and six remain absconding, including the alleged main shooter Faisal Karim Masud and several associates.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has announced the formation of a special team of magistrates to examine possible involvement of French citizens in cases related to convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to AFP, the initiative follows the appearance of several prominent French names in Epstein’s circle. The new team will work with prosecutors and police from the national financial crimes unit to determine whether to open investigations against suspected French nationals.

Officials said the team will also revisit the case of Jean-Luc Brunel, who died in custody in 2022 after being accused of raping minors. Investigations had found Brunel to be a close associate of Epstein, allegedly exploiting poor young women under the guise of modeling opportunities. At least ten women have accused him. New allegations are also being reviewed against French diplomat Fabrice Aidan, a modeling agent, and a music director.

Following the release of Epstein-related documents, former French minister Jack Lang resigned, denying wrongdoing and calling the accusations false. Financial prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into Lang and his daughter for tax evasion and money laundering.

An elderly man named Mashem Molla, aged 75, was killed in a road accident on Sunday morning in Gopalganj. The incident occurred in front of a filling station at Gopinathpur Sharifpara area along the Dhaka–Khulna highway under Gopalganj Sadar upazila. According to police, Mashem Molla was crossing the highway when he was struck by a passenger bus, leaving him critically injured. Local residents rescued him and took him to Gopalganj Medical College Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

The deceased was a resident of Gopinathpur village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila and the son of the late Ismail Molla. The report initially mentioned a brick-laden trolley but later clarified that a passenger bus was involved in the fatal collision. Police from Gopinathpur outpost confirmed the details of the incident.

The report did not mention any further investigation or legal action following the accident.

The verdict in a war crimes case against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other accused will be announced on March 4. The case concerns the shooting of Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building cornice, and the killing of two others during the July uprising in Rampura, Dhaka. Defense lawyer Ershadul Haque Babu confirmed the date after Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, set it through a chamber order as the court did not sit that day.

Earlier, on February 3, both prosecution and defense completed their arguments. Defense lawyers claimed their clients were innocent and not connected to the charges, while prosecutors argued that evidence, including witness statements and video footage, proved the accused’s involvement and sought maximum punishment. The tribunal had formally indicted the five accused on September 18 last year after the prosecution filed charges on August 7.

Among the accused, former Rampura police outpost ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar is in custody, while Habibur Rahman and three others remain absconding.

A firefighter named Ahsan Habib, aged 46, died while conducting a rescue operation following a road accident in Sherpur, Bogura. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday night in front of the Mahipur Fire Service Station. According to the Fire Service, Habib was controlling traffic during a rescue mission in the Chandai Kona area when a speeding bus hit a truck from behind, causing the truck to run over him. He died on the spot. Sherpur Highway Police seized both vehicles and handed over the body to his family after legal formalities.

Earlier that night, at around 1 a.m., a woman named Khadija Khatun, 39, was seriously injured after being hit by a private car while crossing the road in Hamsayapur. She was sent to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. In another accident around 9 p.m. in Garidaha’s Dash Mile area, a three-vehicle collision left four people injured, including Shuvo, 28, who is now in ICU at a hospital in Dhaka.

Police said all damaged vehicles were seized, and efforts are ongoing to maintain normal traffic flow.

Police in Gabtali, Bogura recovered the body of a truck businessman from near his home late Saturday night. The victim, Saiful Islam, aged 40, was a resident of Sondabari Purbo Para village under the municipality’s Ward No. 4. Locals discovered his body about 50 feet west of his house early Sunday morning and informed the police.

According to Gabtali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Anisur Rahman Anis, Saiful Islam was killed by slitting his throat and stabbing him multiple times with a sharp weapon. His body was sent to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said preparations are underway to file a case and efforts are ongoing to arrest those responsible.

The report states that Saiful Islam had returned home late at night after settling business accounts with his partners at a local fuel station before being found dead hours later.

Fifteen people were injured in a clash between two groups in Darichar Laxmipur village of Muladi upazila, Barishal, on Saturday, February 14. The conflict erupted after former union parishad chairman Kabir Mallik was not invited to the birthday celebration of his nephew, the son of union member Sakayet Mallik. The event had been organized for Sunday, but tensions rose when Kabir Mallik’s rival Jahangir Molla received an invitation while he did not.

According to local sources, Kabir Mallik became angry and ordered the removal of tents and materials set up for the event. The argument escalated into a violent clash, leaving 15 people injured. Four of the seriously injured, including Monir Mallik, Mizan Mallik, and Mezbaha Mallik, were sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for treatment.

Kabir Mallik denied involvement, claiming that his opponents attacked his supporters. Muladi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arafat Jahan Chowdhury confirmed the incident, stating that police and army personnel brought the situation under control. No formal complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication.

Two alleged muggers were seriously injured in a mob beating while attempting a robbery in Bajbi Tatibari area of Duptara Union, Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj on Saturday, February 14. Police later recovered a pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of bullets from their possession. The injured were identified as Rabbi, 20, and Sabbir, 15, both sons of Jahangir Mia from Rajakanda area under Hossainpur police station in Kishoreganj. They had been living in a rented house in Bajbi Hajibari area.

According to police and local sources, the two tried to snatch cash from a rickshaw puller on the Gausia–Araihazar road by threatening him with a firearm. Locals chased and caught them after the victim shouted for help, leading to the mob beating. Police rescued the injured and admitted them to Araihazar Upazila Health Complex.

Following their information, police searched their rented house and found ammunition and a magazine. On Sunday morning, February 15, a Fire Service diving team recovered the pistol from a nearby pond. Police said legal action is underway.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to fix the date today for delivering the verdict in a war crimes case against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other accused. The case involves the shooting of Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building ledge in Rampura, and the killing of two others during the July uprising. The three-member tribunal panel is led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

On February 3, both prosecution and defense completed their arguments. Defense lawyer Sarwar Jahan Nippon sought acquittal for accused Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, while state defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain argued for the innocence of four absconding defendants. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam countered their claims. The prosecution earlier asserted that evidence, including witness statements and video footage, clearly proved the accused’s involvement and sought the maximum penalty.

The tribunal had framed charges on September 18 last year after the prosecution filed formal charges on August 7. Among the accused, former Rampura police outpost ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar is in custody, while the others remain absconding.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s division secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, has expressed deep concern, anger, and condemnation over a reported rape incident in Hatiya linked to voting activities. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, she said the assault allegedly occurred because the victim voted for the Shapla symbol. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Noakhali General Hospital, where a medical board has been formed for her care, confirmed by emergency medical officer Dr. Mostafizur Rahman.

Siddika described the incident as a reflection of authoritarianism and an attack on constitutional rights, stating that no woman should face such violence for exercising her right to vote. She emphasized that politically motivated sexual violence undermines democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. On behalf of Jamaat’s women’s division, she presented three demands: an impartial and swift investigation, immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, and assurance of the victim’s medical, security, and psychological support.

She also urged citizens, human rights groups, women’s organizations, and all political parties to unite against such brutality and defend women’s dignity and safety.

At least 32 people were killed and several others abducted when armed assailants attacked three villages in northern Nigeria’s Niger State on Saturday, according to local police and witnesses cited by Al Jazeera. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, carried out violent raids across the villages, setting homes ablaze and kidnapping residents.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that suspected terrorists struck Tunga-Makeri village, killing six people, burning houses, and abducting several villagers. In Konkoso, resident Jeremiah Timothy told Reuters that the assault began with sporadic gunfire before the attackers set fire to a police station, leaving at least 26 people dead. Authorities said the attackers included groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and local kidnapping gangs seeking ransom.

The attacks occurred near the Kainji forest along the Niger–Kwara border, an area known as a hideout for armed groups including Boko Haram and criminal gangs.

An attack took place at the campaign office of independent parliamentary candidate Saiful Islam Firoz in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, leading to the filing of a case naming 20 accused individuals. According to the case statement, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday at the main election office located on Thana Road, where Firoz and his supporters were present. The attackers allegedly broke into the office, vandalized furniture, and injured several workers.

The case was filed on Friday night by Saiful Islam Firoz, the independent candidate for the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, at Kaliganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Jellal Hossain confirmed that the police had received the case. The accused include individuals aged between 22 and 59, whose names were listed in the complaint.

Police have acknowledged receipt of the case, but no further details on arrests or investigations were mentioned in the report.

An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in the Southern District Federal Court of New York to attempting to assassinate US citizen and Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The 54-year-old admitted before Judge Sarah Netburn that he hired a hitman in 2023 to kill Pannun, who resides in New York. Gupta told the court he paid $15,000 to someone he believed was a contract killer, who was actually linked to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Pannun leads the US-based group Sikhs for Justice, which campaigns for an independent Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Gupta was arrested in June 2023 at Prague Airport in the Czech Republic and extradited to the United States. He has been convicted of conspiring to murder Pannun, with sentencing scheduled for May 29. Under US law, he faces 20 to 24 years in prison. FBI officials said Pannun was targeted for exercising his freedom of expression. The FBI also alleged Gupta worked with Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav, who remains at large.

The case has strained relations between Washington, Ottawa, and New Delhi, as the US and Canada accuse India of targeting their citizens of Indian origin. Indian officials deny the allegations, calling such actions contrary to national policy.