A Dhaka court has ordered the appointment of a caretaker to manage and supervise the seized immovable properties of Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of S Alam Group. The order was issued on Monday by the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge and Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC confirmed the directive in a statement released on Tuesday.

According to the ACC, the properties under supervision include land and buildings in Chattogram’s Rahmatganj, Asadganj, Nasirabad, and Khulshi areas, as well as commercial and residential assets such as the S Alam House, S Alam Center, S Alam Playground, and several luxury apartments and parking spaces. The ACC’s Deputy Director and joint investigation team leader, Tahasin Munabil Haque, submitted the petition, citing concerns that the accused were attempting to transfer or misuse the seized assets despite existing court orders.

The ACC stated that investigations are ongoing against Saiful Alam and his family for allegedly embezzling large sums of money through loans taken under various names and transferring the funds abroad. Earlier, a total of 463.87 decimals of land and multi-storey buildings in key areas of Chattogram had been ordered seized in connection with the case.

A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer was beaten to death and three others were seriously injured during an operation in the remote jungle area of Chhalimpur in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The incident occurred when RAB members raided the area based on intelligence that a top local criminal, Yasin, and his associates were present near a BNP office. The attackers captured four RAB members, assaulted them, and transported them to Alinagar, where they were beaten repeatedly. One officer, Abdul Motaleb, later died in hospital, while three others remain injured.

BNP leaders denied having any office or activities in Chhalimpur and rejected any involvement in the killing. Local residents said the building previously served as an Awami League office before being taken over by expelled BNP youth leader Rokon Uddin, and later by Yasin’s group. The area has long been a haven for armed groups, with multiple deadly clashes over territorial control.

Authorities announced plans for a large-scale joint operation involving RAB, police, army, and other agencies to dismantle criminal strongholds, recover government land, and bring those responsible for the officer’s killing to justice.

Starting January 25, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will impose fines and possible jail terms for honking in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, violators may face a maximum fine of 10,000 taka or up to three months in jail. The enforcement will cover the airport area and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien.

The DMP has declared the airport zone, along with Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan, as silent areas where honking is a punishable offense. The initiative aims to reduce noise pollution in these designated zones. The police announcement specifies that the rule will be strictly implemented from January 25.

To ensure compliance, special mobile courts will be operated jointly by the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation, and DMP magistrates, as stated in the police notice.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that shipbuilding companies can regularize their defaulted loans by depositing three percent of the outstanding amount. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a circular on Tuesday outlining the terms. The loans can be repaid over a maximum of ten years, including a two-year grace period during which only interest must be paid monthly or quarterly. Companies must apply by June 30 of this year, and banks are required to resolve applications within sixty days.

The circular explains that the global economic downturn, geopolitical instability, and military unrest in Europe have disrupted supply chains, severely affecting both export-oriented and domestic shipbuilding industries. To sustain this promising export sector and facilitate loan recovery, Bangladesh Bank introduced special rescheduling and restructuring facilities. Previously rescheduled loans may also receive up to two additional years of repayment time with a two percent down payment.

Banks must verify through special inspections that borrowers were genuinely affected by uncontrollable circumstances. Islamic banks are instructed to implement the policy in accordance with Shariah principles.

A dramatic escape by murder suspect Nahid Hasan Liton from Pirgacha police custody in Rangpur has caused widespread commotion across the upazila. Liton, the organizational secretary of Rangpur District Jubo League and son of Pirgacha Upazila Awami League vice-president Abdul Hannan, was arrested Tuesday evening during a special police operation at his home in connection with the Shahid Abu Sayed murder case. Witnesses claimed he was handcuffed after arrest, but fled during a scuffle between police and several women, allegedly leaving the scene unclothed and still wearing handcuffs.

Local sources said a youth leader assured police of recovering the handcuffs. A couple who witnessed the incident reported that one woman bit a police officer’s hand, allowing Liton to escape. Pirgacha Police Officer-in-Charge AKM Khandaker Mohibbul Islam confirmed the escape but denied that Liton was handcuffed at the time, calling such claims baseless.

The incident has raised local concerns about possible police negligence and the broader implications for law and order in the area.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said one of Bangladesh’s major problems is policy distortion caused by excessive laws and regulations conflicting with free-market principles. Speaking on Tuesday at a seminar titled ‘Post Election 2026 Horizon; Economy, Politics and Capital Market’ organized by BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage in Banani, Dhaka, he argued that the economy has reached a low equilibrium over the past one and a half years and requires major reforms, liberalization, and market-oriented policies to recover.

He emphasized that Bangladesh’s economy and capital market are overly regulated by controlling agencies, calling for deregulation, transparency, and accountability. Khasru said his party would pursue liberalization if in power, allowing markets to operate freely. He also highlighted issues such as reckless bank lending, capital flight, and lack of accountability as key causes of financial instability.

Khasru further noted that transparency in the capital market is essential, urging the removal of “garbage accounts” and accurate disclosure of non-performing loans, which he said could reach 40 percent if properly reported. He stressed that investor confidence depends on presenting a clear and credible financial picture.

In Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, allegations have surfaced that a group is continuing the construction of a multi-storey building despite a court injunction. The dispute centers on land in East Taipalong under Rajapalong Union, where Shahina Akter, wife of expatriate Mohammad Sharif, claims her purchased property has been forcibly occupied by several influential locals. Residents fear that the escalating tension could lead to violent clashes if authorities fail to act promptly.

According to the report, Shahina Akter filed a case on December 20, after which the Cox’s Bazar District Court imposed Section 144 on December 24, prohibiting all construction on the disputed land. Police sub-inspector Suman Dey visited the site and instructed both parties to comply with the order, but construction allegedly continued. Shahina Akter accused the police of bias and expressed concern for her family’s safety.

The accused, Shah Newaz Begum alias Paki, claimed the land is ancestral property and that they continued work based on advice from police and lawyers. The investigating officer confirmed that a report has been submitted to the court, with a hearing scheduled for January 21. Locals have urged immediate enforcement of the court order to prevent potential violence.

An investigation has uncovered a long-running question leak operation involving the political science department’s final exams at the seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University. According to the report, a group led by Dhaka College office assistant and former student Ilias Hossain allegedly sold exam questions from honors to master’s level three to four days before exams in exchange for money. Sources claim most students were involved, paying between 1,500 and 2,500 taka per set, while each college session contributed around 150,000 taka. Evidence reportedly includes matching leaked and official exam papers.

Unnamed students said they were sworn to secrecy before receiving the questions and that leaked questions consistently appeared in exams. They expressed frustration that the leaks undermined merit and fairness. Ilias Hossain denied all allegations, calling them false and claiming question similarities resulted from recurring syllabus patterns.

Dhaka College’s political science department head said he was unaware of the issue but promised dismissal if proven true. Dhaka University’s exam controller stated no official complaint had reached him but assured that any verified report would lead to an investigation and disciplinary action.

Two men were killed in a violent clash stemming from a land dispute in Jashore on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of Salua College in Chowgacha upazila. Police confirmed the deaths, identifying the victims as Rafiqul Islam, 45, and Abdul Alim Palash, 35, both residents of Jagahati village under Churamankati union in Jashore Sadar. According to police, Rafiqul was attacked with a sharp weapon by Palash, leaving him critically injured.

Local sources said the two men had been in conflict over land ownership for the past two years. Following the attack, an enraged crowd surrounded Palash and beat him severely. Police from Kotwali station arrived at the scene and took both injured men to Jashore General Hospital, where doctors declared Palash dead upon arrival.

Police later reported that Rafiqul died on the way to Dhaka while being transferred for advanced treatment. Authorities confirmed that both deaths were linked to the same land dispute incident.

Business operators in Bangladesh have decided to import over 28,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to ensure normal supply during Ramadan. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held on Tuesday at the Rail Bhaban in Dhaka between the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Faozul Kabir Khan. During the meeting, business representatives assured that the current LPG shortage would be resolved before Ramadan.

The energy adviser instructed operators to prevent any LPG shortage before the upcoming national election and to maintain stable supply during Ramadan. He emphasized that the import commitments made for January and February must be fulfilled, assuring full government cooperation to achieve this goal. Operators explained that adverse international conditions had disrupted imports but denied charging higher prices.

According to the operators, twelve companies aim to import 167,600 tons of LPG in January and plan to increase the volume to 184,100 tons in February. They expressed confidence that meeting these targets would significantly ease the current supply crisis.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, has concluded final arguments in the case concerning the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising. The tribunal has now kept the verdict pending. Defense arguments were presented over the past two days, following prosecution arguments on January 14 and 15. A total of 24 witnesses testified in the case.

Sixteen individuals were charged, including eight currently in custody such as former Dhaka Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullahil Kafi and several former police officers from Savar and Ashulia. The remaining eight, including former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam, remain absconding. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 5, 2024, when five people were shot dead and one critically injured in front of Ashulia Police Station. The injured man and the bodies were later placed in a police vehicle that was set on fire, killing all six.

The tribunal had earlier framed charges on August 21, 2025, and began witness hearings after the prosecution’s opening statement on September 14, 2025. The verdict will be delivered after judicial deliberation.

The Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), AKM Shahidur Rahman, announced that a large-scale joint forces operation will soon be launched to destroy the militant hideout in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram. He said preparations are underway to involve the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn), police, and the district administration. The operation aims to arrest armed militants, recover government land, and ensure justice for slain RAB member Abdul Motaleb.

Rahman made the announcement on Tuesday during a media briefing at the RAB office in Patenga after Motaleb’s funeral. The RAB chief said Motaleb was killed in a sudden attack by militants on Monday afternoon. He pledged to continue surveillance in Jungle Salimpur until justice is served and to correct any operational mistakes. A RAB investigation committee has been formed, and the armed suspects have been identified.

Police officials said a case is being processed, but no arrests have been made yet. The area remains under the control of a top local criminal, according to police sources.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority announced that toll collection from the Padma Bridge has reached a milestone of 30 billion taka. The information was shared in a press release issued on Tuesday by Masud Rana Shikder, Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer of the authority. Since the bridge’s inauguration on June 25, 2022, both vehicle crossings and revenue have steadily increased.

According to the release, the Padma Bridge has significantly reduced travel time, created employment opportunities, and contributed positively to national GDP growth. It has also brought major improvements in the transportation of agricultural, fisheries, livestock, and industrial goods. The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system installed at the Mawa and Jajira ends has accelerated toll operations, minimizing waiting times at toll plazas.

The statement added that automatic toll collection through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards has made travel faster and easier. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority credited public cooperation and modernization of the digital toll system for achieving this milestone and extended thanks to all stakeholders involved in the bridge’s operation and maintenance.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh is set to submit its report on the Ninth National Pay Scale to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The commission, led by Zakir Ahmed Khan, will hold its final meeting earlier in the day at the Cabinet Division’s old building. According to commission sources, the new pay structure will be partially implemented from January 1, 2026, and fully effective from July 1, 2026–27 fiscal year.

Under the proposed structure, house rent will not increase for all grades of government employees. Instead, it will rise proportionally for grades 20 to 9 but decrease for grades 8 to 1, as higher-grade officers are already receiving significant salary hikes. The lowest salary, currently Tk 8,250, is expected to more than double, while the highest salary will rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000, maintaining a 1:8 ratio between the lowest and highest scales.

The government has already raised operating expenditure by Tk 22,000 crore in the revised 2025–26 budget to support partial implementation. Full implementation is estimated to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.

Three bodies of fishermen who went missing ten days ago after a motorized boat sank in the Meghna River have been recovered in Barishal. According to river police, the bodies were found on Tuesday morning and afternoon in the Hizla and Mehendiganj areas. The deceased were identified as Shahin Mir, 20, Nayon Bepari, 19, and Arif Sikder, 19. Their bodies were handed over to their families without autopsy as no complaints were filed.

Police said the incident occurred on January 10 when five young fishermen from Hizla went fishing near the Lal Buoy area of the Meghna River. After casting their nets, they fell asleep in the boat, which later sank as water entered through the engine propeller. Two of them managed to swim ashore and were rescued, but the others went missing in dense fog. One fisherman, Shahin Sikder, 18, remains missing, and his relatives continue to search the river.

Authorities have not reported any further developments regarding the missing fisherman’s search.