The verdict in the illegal wealth case against former Dhaka South Jubo League president Ismail Hossain Chowdhury, known as Samrat, is scheduled to be delivered today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Dhaka Special Judge Court-6, presided over by Judge Md Zakaria Hossain. Court bench assistant Fakir Zahidul Islam confirmed the schedule. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Nure Alam concluded arguments on February 9, after which the court fixed the date for the verdict. As Samrat remains absconding, no self-defense hearing was held.

According to court sources, witness testimony in the case concluded on February 2, with all 21 witnesses listed in the charge sheet testifying before the court. The ACC filed the case on November 12, 2019, accusing Samrat of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk 29.48 million. Following investigation, the charge sheet was submitted on November 26, 2020. The court framed charges on July 17 last year and issued an arrest warrant after canceling Samrat’s bail due to his absence.

Samrat was previously arrested in Cumilla on October 6, 2019, during the anti-casino drive and was released on bail on August 22, 2022.

Traders in Jhenaidah municipality have demanded an end to alleged illegal extortion and excessive market taxes imposed by a leaseholder. On Tuesday, business owners from the New Hatkhola market held a press conference accusing the leaseholder of collecting arbitrary fees under the guise of municipal and district administration charges. They claimed that the leaseholder, using political influence, was collecting large sums monthly without official receipts.

Several traders reported that the tax on raw goods had risen from four taka per maund to 160 taka, while goat sellers said they were being forced to pay 2,000 taka per sale. The traders warned that if authorities failed to stop the alleged extortion, they would close the markets and launch a strong protest movement.

Leaseholder Akhtar Hossain denied the allegations, saying fees were being collected as before. The municipal administrator promised to display an official tax list soon, while the district commissioner assured strict action, including lease cancellation, if overcharging was proven.

The government will launch the Family Card program on March 10 as part of the BNP’s election pledge, initially covering one union in each of 14 upazilas. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division, according to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the program in Bogura, and the initiative will gradually expand nationwide.

After the meeting, Social Welfare Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said the program aims to empower women by providing Tk 2,500 per card. He emphasized that the distribution will be free from political or religious bias. The rollout will begin on a limited scale, expanding from one ward to full unions and eventually to all upazilas across the country.

The meeting was attended by several senior ministers and advisers, including the finance and planning minister, local government state minister, and cabinet secretary, reflecting the government’s coordinated approach to implementing the Family Card initiative.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of bank accounts and savings certificates belonging to former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Harunur Rashid and his wife, Fateha Farvin Luna. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating allegations that the couple amassed illegal wealth worth about Tk 1,000 crore and laundered money. The order was issued on Tuesday by Judge Sabbir Fayez of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court, confirmed by court bench assistant Riaz Hossain.

According to the ACC’s petition, the investigation uncovered evidence of substantial movable assets inconsistent with the couple’s known income sources. The ACC requested the freeze to prevent possible transfer of funds, including over Tk 6.4 million in fixed deposits at One Bank and savings certificates under the National Savings Directorate.

The court’s decision marks a significant step in the ongoing corruption inquiry, as investigators continue to trace the origins and movement of the alleged illicit assets.

Prices of essential commodities in Rangpur city have sharply increased since the start of Ramadan, causing distress among low-income and working-class residents. Consumers allege that traders have formed syndicates to manipulate prices in the absence of effective market monitoring. Field visits to several municipal markets revealed significant price hikes in almost all Ramadan-related goods, particularly dates, chickpeas, spices, and poultry.

Buyers report that traders are charging arbitrary prices, with some varieties of dates selling two to three times higher than last month. Local traders attribute the rise to reduced supply, higher wholesale prices, and increased transport costs. The price of local chicken has doubled, while vegetables, lemons, and spices have also seen steep increases. Consumers demand stronger oversight of wholesale markets to prevent manipulation.

Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection stated that monitoring drives will continue throughout Ramadan, warning of fines and legal action against price gouging. The Rangpur district administration confirmed that executive magistrates are conducting inspections to ensure fair pricing for consumers.

A devastating fire broke out at Kamarhat market in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur Sadar upazila, on Tuesday night following a gas cylinder explosion. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m., destroying ten shops including clothing, grocery, and electronics stores. Witnesses said the explosion originated from a cylinder in Bahar’s shop, and the flames quickly spread to adjacent stores. A fire service unit arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control after an hour of effort.

Lakshmipur Fire Service Station Officer Ranjit Kumar Saha said initial findings suggest the explosion started from Bahar’s shop. District Commissioner S.M. Mehedi Hasan confirmed that the fire service contained the blaze and that the upazila executive officer inspected the site. Authorities stated that financial assistance will be provided to affected shop owners.

Officials added that the exact cause of the explosion and the total extent of the damage will be determined after a full investigation.

In Chattogram, a total of 186 garment factories have closed over the past 18 months following the July Revolution, according to industry and police data. Of these, 111 factories were permanently shut by owners, while 76 remain temporarily closed. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed that 19 of the closed factories were large-scale members, including six under the Well Group. Around 27,766 workers lost their jobs, though about 18,000 have since found new employment.

Investigations revealed that eight of the 19 large factories were owned by fugitive Awami League-linked businessmen who fled after the political upheaval, while nine others closed due to banking complications tied to merged and inactive banks. BGMEA officials said the sector’s recovery was hindered by financial instability and weak banking operations, despite improved trade conditions with the United States. Many large factories have shifted to subcontracting, leaving smaller units struggling for orders.

Industry Police reported that 55 more factories are now at risk, with concerns over paying wages and bonuses before Eid. Business leaders expressed cautious optimism that new government policies and revived banking operations could help the sector recover.

Engineer Ramanath Pujari has officially taken charge as the new Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), which operates the Rampal Power Plant in Bagerhat. The appointment was announced in a company statement, confirming that he assumed the role on Tuesday.

Before this appointment, Pujari served as Project Director of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP) at Rampal. He also held the position of Executive Director at India’s state-owned NTPC Limited, where he contributed to plant management, reliability improvement, efficiency enhancement, and compliance with environmental regulations. Under his leadership, the MSTPP achieved more reliable power generation and maintained environmental standards, while he also supported local social and township development initiatives.

Born in 1968 in Odisha, India, Pujari holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, and an MBA from MDI Gurgaon. He has additional qualifications from IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School and brings about 36 years of experience in the power sector.

Baraka Foundation has launched a low-cost iftar market aimed at supporting low-income and underprivileged people during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was inaugurated on Monday at the Shishu Park field in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj. The market offers essential iftar items at significantly reduced prices, such as chickpeas at Tk 60 per kg instead of Tk 80, onions at Tk 25 instead of Tk 40, dates at Tk 200 instead of Tk 300, puffed rice at Tk 80 instead of Tk 90, sugar at Tk 80 instead of Tk 98, and soybean oil at Tk 170 instead of Tk 195. In total, six items worth Tk 950 are being sold for Tk 560.

Buyers expressed relief and appreciation for the initiative, noting that it provides real assistance to families struggling with rising food costs. Locals described the program as a positive example of social responsibility that could inspire others to take similar steps.

According to Baraka Foundation, the project is funded by local expatriates and will continue throughout Ramadan to support poor and low-income communities.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman stated that the final decision on transferring the mobile financial service provider Nagad to the private sector depends on the new government’s policy direction. He made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Arman said the governor informed him that the government has not yet finalized its stance on Nagad, and investment procedures will begin only if the government decides to allow private investors to take over, as the interim administration had considered.

Arman explained that discussions on bringing foreign investment into Nagad began during the interim government period, and his meeting with the governor continued that dialogue. He clarified that he is working as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, not in his capacity as a member of parliament. He also noted that potential investors are interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Addressing concerns about conflict of interest, Arman said his legal work does not conflict with his political role, emphasizing that his political activities are for public service while his legal practice supports his livelihood.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have launched a joint operation in the Sundarbans to curb renewed pirate activity. Beginning on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, the Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and police initiated a coordinated campaign that will continue until the forest is declared free of bandit groups. The move follows reports that armed pirates have recently abducted fishermen and extorted ransom payments in rivers and canals of the world’s largest mangrove forest.

Authorities said surveillance has been intensified across key waterways including Dublar Char, Shibsha, Pashur, Aarpangashia, and Chandpai ranges. Fast patrol boats, speedboats, and commando teams have been deployed, while intelligence operations are underway to locate suspects. The Navy and Coast Guard confirmed strengthened river checkpoints and searches of suspicious vessels, and RAB and police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward armed groups.

Local officials noted that although the Sundarbans had previously been declared free of piracy after mass surrenders, some small groups have recently reemerged. Experts emphasized that sustained patrols, intelligence monitoring, and alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities are essential for lasting security.

State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur said the government’s top priority over the next three months is to reopen two or more closed labor markets and set fixed migration costs for certain countries. Speaking to reporters at his office in Eskaton, Dhaka, he added that recruiting agencies accused of fraud will have their licenses suspended and accountability among registered agencies will be strengthened.

He explained that Bangladesh is working to reopen labor markets in countries such as Bahrain, Oman, and Malaysia, where restrictions remain. The government has already sent a list of compliant agencies to Malaysia to meet its ten conditions. Nur also highlighted Japan as a promising destination, with an agreement to send 100,000 workers over five years, supported by language training and potential financial aid. The ministry is also considering expanding low-interest loans for skilled workers unable to afford migration costs.

The minister emphasized reducing excessive migration expenses, improving expatriate welfare, and reinstating state-funded repatriation of deceased workers’ bodies to Bangladesh.

The Department of Environment has fined Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Tk 960,000 for illegally cutting a hill in the Joypahar residential area of Jamal Khan, Chattogram. The order was issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a hearing at the department’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office, presided over by Director Sonia Sultana.

Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan confirmed that an on-site inspection and document verification found evidence of hill cutting at the listed location. The inspection report stated that approximately 9,600 cubic feet of hill had been cut, measuring about 150 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. Under Section 6(b) of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010), the act was deemed an offense, and an environmental damage assessment was conducted under Section 7, setting compensation at Tk 100 per cubic foot.

BPC representatives, including DGM S.M. Zobayer Hossain and LDA Md. Shihab Uddin, attended the hearing, while Inspector Muhammad Ashfaqur Rahman and Senior Technician Md. Omar Faruk represented the prosecution.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained 18 alleged traffickers and seized 1,600 sacks of cement during two separate operations near St. Martin’s Island in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The operations took place early Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following secret intelligence reports. The Coast Guard ship ‘Kamruzzaman,’ under Operation Samudra Prohori, intercepted a fishing boat around 1 a.m., recovering 1,000 sacks of cement worth about 500,000 taka and arresting 10 suspects. Later, at 3 a.m., another vessel, ‘Apurbo Bangla,’ under Operation Coral Dwip, seized 600 sacks valued at 300,000 taka and detained eight more individuals.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the seized cement, boats, and detainees are under legal processing. He confirmed that the Coast Guard will continue such operations to prevent smuggling and illegal trade in the maritime areas.

The coordinated actions highlight ongoing efforts by Bangladesh’s maritime forces to curb cross-border smuggling activities along the Teknaf–St. Martin’s route.

A schoolboy abducted in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area was rescued within an hour after Prime Minister Tareq Rahman personally ordered police action on February 24, 2026. The boy’s father, a Secretariat employee, rushed to the Prime Minister’s Office in tears after learning of the abduction. Upon hearing the news, the Prime Minister immediately called police officials and instructed them to recover the child. Acting on the directive, Ramna police located the boy in an under-construction building in Khilgaon and rescued him.

According to Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam, the ninth-grade student of National Laboratory Ideal School was abducted by four to five men after leaving school around 2:30 p.m. The kidnappers assaulted him and demanded a ransom of 50,000 taka from his father, threatening to kill the boy if payment was not made. Police traced the abductors by engaging them in conversation about sending the ransom money and identified their location before conducting the rescue operation.

The abductors fled upon sensing police presence, and the boy was safely recovered. The Prime Minister’s Press Wing confirmed that he had personally directed the swift police response.