Bangladesh’s postal department-backed digital financial service Nagad recorded its highest-ever monthly transaction volume in January 2026, reaching Tk 40,301 crore. This marks the company’s largest single-month transaction since its inception seven years ago. The record-breaking figure came mainly from cash-in, cash-out, money transfers, payments, bill settlements, mobile recharges, and remittances.

Nagad’s administrator, Md. Motasim Billah, congratulated all involved, noting that the company’s customer-centric approach and trust-building efforts have driven continuous growth. He said Nagad, as a digital transaction platform under the Bangladesh Post Office, is enhancing service quality and ensuring greater financial security for users. This has led to rising engagement from both new and existing customers.

Previously, Nagad’s highest monthly transaction was Tk 34,705 crore in October 2025. The company handled Tk 3.8 trillion in total transactions in 2025, up from Tk 3.3 trillion in 2024, reflecting sustained expansion in Bangladesh’s mobile financial services sector.

A joint operation by the army and police in Anwara upazila of Chattogram led to the arrest of listed terrorist Akter on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The operation took place around 7 a.m. at a community center in Bairag Union, where Akter was detained from his home. Authorities said the arrest followed the circulation of a viral photo showing Akter participating in an election campaign, which drew administrative attention.

Law enforcement officials claimed to have recovered several weapons and items from Akter’s possession, including a local shotgun, a foreign revolver, two Chinese axes (one with a handle and one without), a machete, a bullet removal stick, four firecrackers, a torture whip, and 18,950 taka in cash. Attempts to contact the officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli Police Station, Md. Shahinur Alam, for further comment were unsuccessful.

The arrest highlights ongoing joint security operations in the region targeting listed criminals and illegal arms possession, though no official statement on subsequent legal proceedings was available at the time of reporting.

A youth named Hasan Akon was arrested with 23 cocktails during a joint forces operation in Kalkini, Madaripur, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, around noon. The operation was conducted by the army camp in Kalkini at Khunerchar village under Bashgari Union. Hasan, the son of Nizam Akon from the same village, was detained and later handed over to the local police after initial questioning.

According to sources, the explosives were recovered based on secret intelligence information. The joint forces stated that the seized cocktails posed a serious threat to public safety. Following the arrest, the officer-in-charge of Kalkini Police Station, Zahidul Alam, confirmed that security measures in the area had been strengthened.

Authorities are investigating whether others are involved in supplying the explosives, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in the region.

A human chain and protest rally were held in Mahipur, Patuakhali, demanding justice for agricultural scientist Md. Shahidul Islam, whose body was recovered after he went missing. The event took place on Sunday morning at the Khapravanga Bridge under the banner of local residents, with participation from his family, political and social leaders, students, and community members. Speakers called for a fair and impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Participants described the incident as mysterious and alarming, emphasizing that Shahidul’s death could not be considered natural. They urged authorities to identify the perpetrators swiftly to restore public confidence in justice. Shahidul’s father, Motiur Rahman, has filed a murder case with Shibchar Highway Police Station against unidentified persons.

According to police, an investigation is underway to uncover the motive and identify the culprits. Shahidul, a research and development coordinator at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), went missing on January 21 while traveling from Dhaka to Barishal. His body was found on January 23 beside a highway in Shibchar, Madaripur.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for immediate discussions with the European Union to establish a free trade agreement (FTA). He made the appeal during a meeting with Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham), at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. EU Ambassador Michael Miller also attended the meeting, where participants discussed enhancing European investment, improving trade relations, and strengthening a business-friendly environment.

Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh must prepare now to maintain duty-free access for its exports, particularly ready-made garments, after the current trade privileges expire. He noted that Bangladesh recently signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, granting duty-free access to over 7,300 products, and intends to pursue similar arrangements with the EU. Lopez supported the FTA initiative, warning that Bangladesh could lose existing benefits after graduating from the least developed country category.

EU Ambassador Miller said the nature of Bangladesh-EU trade relations will change after LDC graduation, expected no earlier than 2029, and confirmed plans for an EU-Bangladesh Business Forum in 2026 to promote investment and technology cooperation.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that all banks across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 due to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The central bank issued a circular on Sunday stating that the closures follow an executive order declaring public holidays on those dates.

According to the notice, the decision applies to all banks nationwide as part of preparations for the election and referendum. This year’s parliamentary election involves more than 50 political parties and independent candidates, with nearly 2,000 contenders competing for 300 parliamentary seats. Alongside the election, a referendum on the July Reform Charter will also take place on the same day.

The simultaneous scheduling of the election and referendum has prompted the government to ensure administrative readiness, including the temporary suspension of banking operations during the designated holidays.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has issued arrest warrants against former Superintendent of Police (SP) Anisur Rahman and four others in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity in Jessore’s Chowgacha. The tribunal, led by Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, delivered the order on Sunday. Three other accused have been directed to appear before the court on February 16.

According to Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, the case stems from an incident on August 3, 2016, when two student leaders, Ruhul Amin and Israfil, were allegedly detained under false charges, tortured for two nights, and later shot in the legs on the orders of then-SP Anisur Rahman. The prosecution stated that the victims’ injuries led to severe infections, resulting in amputation. The tribunal has taken the charges into cognizance against eight accused in total.

Three of the accused—former Sub-Inspector Akikul Islam, Constable Sajjadur Rahman, and Constable Zahurul Haque—are already in custody. The remaining accused include former Officer-in-Charge Moshiur Rahman and three sub-inspectors, Mokhles, Jamal, and Majedul, against whom arrest warrants have also been issued.

The three-day 2nd Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 will begin on February 2 at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. Organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) with support from the Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank-backed Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project, the event will run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The expo aims to enhance the competitiveness and export orientation of the country’s light engineering sector by showcasing the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products.

BAISHIMAS President Md. Abdur Razzak said the sector supplies backward linkages to agriculture, textiles, construction, power, and automobile industries, contributing about 3 percent to national GDP. Around 50,000 small and medium enterprises employ over 300,000 skilled workers, meeting nearly half of the domestic demand worth USD 8.2 billion. Despite this, Bangladesh holds less than 1 percent of the USD 7 trillion global engineering market. The current export value of USD 795 million could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030 with proper policy and investment support.

The expo will feature over 50 booths, two seminars, and participation from government officials, business chambers, and international buyers. Organizers expect the event to strengthen domestic industry, attract investment, and expand global market access.

Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday as the third witness in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearance and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) in Dhaka’s Kochukhet area. He stated that he was abducted from his Moghbazar residence on 22 August 2016 by around 50 to 60 plainclothes men, handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken to the DGFI complex. Despite being blindfolded, he recognized one of the abductors as Lieutenant Colonel Mokshurul of DGFI.

Azmi said he was held in cell number 11 of the JIC until 5 August 2024, enduring severe physical and psychological torture, poor food, and inadequate medical care. He described being deprived of sunlight and natural air for 2,908 days and suffering from multiple health problems. He also recounted how artificial noise was used to mask sounds from inside the cells. Azmi’s testimony detailed his identification of the detention site through familiar sounds and landmarks near the DGFI complex.

The tribunal adjourned the hearing, setting the next session for the continuation of Azmi’s deposition.

Rubel Ahmed, a friend of former Bangladesh Chhatra League central general secretary Golam Rabbani, has confessed to his involvement in the murder of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. His statement was recorded by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Mahbubur Rahman on Saturday, after which he was sent to jail. According to court sources, Rubel voluntarily agreed to give a confessional statement following his remand, and the court approved the recording upon request from CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Kadir Bhuiyan.

Rubel was arrested by the CID with the help of the Detective Branch from Ati Noyabazar in South Keraniganj on January 21 and was placed on two separate remands totaling nine days. Hadi, known for his role in the July uprising and the movement to ban the Awami League, was shot on December 12 while campaigning in Bijoynagar and later died in Singapore on December 18. The case initially investigated by the DB police named 17 accused, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and former Chhatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud.

The DB’s charge sheet suggested political revenge as the motive behind Hadi’s killing. Following dissatisfaction from the complainant, the court later transferred the investigation to the CID.

The Additional District Judge Court No. 2 in Dhaka has delivered a final verdict in favor of Unilever Bangladesh in arbitration miscellaneous cases No. 436/2025 and 437/2025 filed by former distributors Masud & Brothers and Agrani Trading Corporation. The distributors had challenged the termination of their distributorships and sought injunctions against the termination notices and the appointment of new distributors in their respective areas. On January 29, 2026, the court dismissed the cases, finding no merit in the distributors’ applications.

Before filing these arbitration cases, the distributors had previously filed two declaratory suits and two money suits in an incorrect legal forum, which were dismissed for lack of maintainability. During the hearing on February 28, 2026, Unilever Bangladesh presented its position, demonstrating that the termination was lawful and in accordance with the distributor agreements. The company also informed the court that the distributors had concealed key documents and provided misleading information in earlier proceedings.

The verdict confirms that Unilever Bangladesh lawfully terminated the distributorships and can continue normal business operations through newly appointed distributors.

Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4, presided over by Judge Robiul Alam, is set to deliver verdicts on Monday, February 2, in two separate corruption cases involving former prime minister Hasina and her niece Tulip Rizwana Siddiq. The cases allege fraudulent allocation of government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. A total of 36 individuals, 18 in each case, are accused of irregularly obtaining 20 kathas of land through abuse of power and procedural violations.

According to court and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) records, the first case was filed on January 13 last year by ACC Assistant Director S.M. Rashedul Hasan against Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Hasina, and Tulip, with a charge sheet submitted on March 10. The second case, filed the same day by ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya against Azmina Siddiq, Hasina, and Tulip, also led to a charge sheet on March 10. Witness testimony concluded earlier this year, with 28 and 31 witnesses testifying in the respective cases.

The court had framed charges on July 31 last year, and after closing arguments in January, fixed February 2 for verdicts in both cases.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will announce new consumer-level prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February 2026 on Monday, February 2. According to a BERC notice issued on Sunday, the updated prices will be declared at a press briefing scheduled for 3 p.m. at the commission’s office in the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka. The adjustment will be based on the Saudi Aramco-declared Saudi CP for February.

In January, the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder was set at 1,306 taka, up from 1,253 taka in December. The upcoming announcement will determine whether the February price increases or decreases compared to January. The new rate will remain effective for one month.

The BERC’s monthly price adjustments are part of its regular process to align domestic LPG prices with international benchmarks, ensuring consistency with global market trends.

Tourist travel to Bangladesh’s only coral-rich island, Saint Martin, has been suspended for nine months following a government decision. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ended the current tourism season last Saturday, and from Sunday, no tourist vessels are allowed to operate to the island. Authorities said the restriction aims to preserve the island’s fragile environmental balance, limiting tourist access to only three months each year.

Typically, tourists are permitted to visit Saint Martin from October 1 to March 31, but this year the period was shortened to January 31 due to environmental risks. Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Imran Hossain Sajib confirmed that Saturday marked the last day for tourist ships to travel to the island. He added that future changes would depend on government decisions.

Saint Martin Union Parishad Chairman Foyezul Islam expressed concern that most island residents depend on tourism for their livelihood. He said the extended closure has caused disappointment among locals and suggested that a longer tourist season would help them sustain their income.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Mohammad Ejaz, the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), due to an ongoing corruption investigation. The order was issued on Sunday afternoon by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the report, the ACC’s Assistant Director Md Ashiqur Rahman filed the application seeking to restrict Ejaz from leaving the country while the inquiry continues. The court granted the request, citing the need to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

The decision underscores the ACC’s active pursuit of corruption allegations involving public officials. Further details about the nature of the allegations or the timeline of the investigation were not disclosed in the report.