The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, on charges of acquiring illegal wealth worth about Tk 3.25 crore. The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by ACC’s public relations officer Md. Akterul Islam.

Siam, also known as a former relief and disaster management secretary of the banned Dhaka North unit of Chhatra League, had previously been expelled from the organization after his name surfaced in a question paper leak scandal. On January 5, 2025, the ACC filed three separate cases against Jibon, his wife Shahreen Akter Shilpi, and their son Siam, accusing them of possessing Tk 5.37 crore in illegal assets and conducting suspicious transactions totaling around Tk 45 crore.

Siam’s arrest marks the latest development in the ongoing investigation into the family’s alleged corruption and financial irregularities, as authorities continue to pursue the cases filed last year.

Police in Khulna arrested three young men on Monday afternoon from the residence of S M Shafiqul Islam, president of Koyra Upazila Jubo League and former upazila chairman, following allegations of extortion. The suspects, identified as Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Al Nahian, and Miraz Gazi, allegedly introduced themselves as student coordinators and leaders of the NCP. The arrest took place at Shafiqul Islam’s house on Nesar Uddin Road under Sonadanga Police Station. His daughter, Shahnaz Parvin, filed a case accusing the men of demanding 2.5 million taka and threatening to hand her father over to police if the demand was not met.

Sonadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rafiqul Islam confirmed the arrests and said the accused were sent to jail through the court. He also noted that Shafiqul Islam faces multiple cases but is currently out on bail. NCP district coordinator Maulana Mahmudul Hasan Faizullah stated that the detained individuals are not affiliated with any NCP or anti-discrimination student movement committees and called for lawful action if the allegations prove true.

The incident has raised questions about why police have not acted against Shafiqul Islam despite his pending cases, as noted by the NCP coordinator.

Toyota Bangladesh Limited (TBL), a fully owned investment of Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific and Toyota Tsusho Japan, recently held a meeting with the Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashik Chowdhury, to discuss the future of the automotive industry in Bangladesh. The meeting focused on long-term growth, a sustainable automotive future, and improving the overall business environment in the country.

During the discussion, TBL emphasized its commitment to contributing to Bangladesh’s evolving industrial landscape through innovation, efficiency, and responsible business practices. BIDA welcomed Toyota Bangladesh’s participation and reaffirmed its growing support for sustainable investments that strengthen industrial capacity and promote environmentally responsible growth.

The meeting highlighted mutual interest in advancing Bangladesh’s automotive sector through collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to foster a more sustainable and competitive industry.

Police in Debidwar, Cumilla recovered the hanging body of a college student from a beauty parlor on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Nadia Akter, was employed as a beautician at the Women’s Persona Parlor located near the Upazila Gate area. She was the daughter of Shafiqul Islam from Dholahas village and a first-year student at Jafarganj Mir Abdul Gafur College.

According to police, they arrived at the scene after receiving information and found Nadia’s body hanging inside the parlor. While initial observations suggest suicide, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman stated that an unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident.

The body has been sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Pay Commission led by Zakir Ahmed Khan will submit its report on new salary and allowance recommendations for government employees to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed the submission to the media. According to the report, the commission has proposed partial implementation of the new pay structure from January 1, 2026, with full implementation from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Sources indicate that the current minimum salary of Tk 8,250 may more than double, while the maximum salary could rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000. The commission has recommended setting the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries at 1:8. The revised 2025–26 budget has already increased operating expenses by Tk 22,000 crore to accommodate partial implementation. Full implementation of the proposed structure is expected to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.

The commission, formed on July 27 last year with 21 members, was tasked with submitting its report within six months and has suggested higher increases for lower-grade employees.

The National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization approved the final structure and responsibilities of the newly formed Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments, officially dissolving the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The approval was granted on Tuesday during the committee’s meeting, confirming the administrative framework for the two new departments.

According to the decision, the specific duties of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments have been defined. The meeting also outlined the types of officials to be appointed to these departments and the process for staff deployment. The session was attended by six government advisers, including those from the Finance and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministries, along with the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and 14 secretaries or senior secretaries.

In total, the committee approved 11 proposals related to administrative reorganization, marking a significant step in restructuring Bangladesh’s revenue administration system.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is preparing to recommend a significant rise in allowances for government employees under the ninth pay scale. The proposal includes increasing the Pahela Baishakh festival allowance from the current 20 percent of basic salary to 50 percent. The commission is expected to submit its final report to the Chief Adviser on Wednesday, with all preparatory work reportedly in the final stage. Eid bonuses will remain unchanged under existing rules.

In addition, the commission plans to recommend raising the medical allowance from 3,500 taka to a maximum of 5,000 taka per month. Two age-based categories are proposed: 4,000 taka for employees aged 40 or below, and 5,000 taka for those above 40. Retired government employees would continue to receive a monthly medical allowance of 5,000 taka.

The Finance Ministry has allocated 1,06,684 crore taka for salaries and allowances in the 2025–26 budget, about 22,000 crore more than before. The ministry indicated that either the revised salary or allowance structure may be implemented from January, with further decisions left to the next government.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been granted an additional five days to submit its report in the murder case of Inquilab Moncho convener Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam directed the CID to file the report by January 25. The court had earlier set January 20 as the deadline, but the CID failed to submit the report on that date, prompting the extension. The information was confirmed by prosecution officer SI Ruknuzzaman.

The case involves the killing of Hadi, who was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area while returning from a campaign event. He later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred there for treatment. The Detective Branch (DB) police had previously submitted a charge sheet on January 6, accusing 17 individuals, including former ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and former Chhatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud. Dissatisfied with the DB’s report, the plaintiff Abdullah Al Jaber filed a petition, leading the court to assign the investigation to the CID.

Five of the accused, including Faisal Karim, remain absconding, according to the case documents.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of land worth Tk 1.75 crore belonging to Jahangir Alam, former personal assistant to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The same order also froze Tk 1.03 crore held in seven bank accounts under the name of his wife, Kamrun Nahar. The directive was issued on Tuesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, following petitions from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Piyas Pal.

According to the ACC petitions, there was a risk that Jahangir Alam might transfer or change ownership of his immovable assets, and that Kamrun Nahar’s bank funds could be moved. The ACC argued that freezing and seizing these assets were necessary to ensure a fair investigation. After hearing the petitions, the court granted both requests.

Earlier, on December 17 of the previous year, the ACC filed a case against Jahangir Alam and Kamrun Nahar, accusing them of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources. The case alleged that Kamrun Nahar possessed Tk 6.80 crore in unexplained assets, while Jahangir Alam had Tk 18.29 crore in illegally obtained property.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Jatiya Party leader and former state minister Md Moshiur Rahman Ranga and former Kurigram MP Ponir Uddin Ahmed. The case, lodged on January 19, 2026, accuses them of embezzling Tk 1.7 crore through nomination trading. According to ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain, Ranga allegedly accepted the money as a bribe while serving as a member of parliament and presidium member of the Jatiya Party, in exchange for facilitating Ahmed’s participation in the 12th parliamentary election.

The ACC stated that the two acted in collusion to gain illegal benefits by transferring, converting, and transacting the funds, which constitutes punishable offenses under sections 161, 165, and 109 of the Penal Code, section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. Additionally, the commission has issued a notice under section 26(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, requiring Ranga to submit a statement of his assets for verification.

The ACC’s move marks a continuation of its scrutiny of political figures accused of corruption and illicit financial dealings.

The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh has demanded the unconditional release of 56 imprisoned mobile phone traders and the withdrawal of what they called false cases against innocent businesspeople. The demand was made during a human chain protest held on Tuesday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where the organization’s general secretary, Abu Sayeed Piyas, spoke about the issue.

Speakers at the event said that decisions taken under the name of implementing NEIR have pushed around 20,000 small and medium mobile phone traders and about 2.5 million people dependent on the sector into uncertainty. They alleged that many traders were arrested in harassment cases for participating in peaceful protests. The leaders also noted that over 30 days of continuous demonstrations and shop closures have caused severe economic losses, leaving employees unpaid and traders unable to cover rent or loan installments.

Considering the national situation and the upcoming election, the organization announced a temporary suspension of its shutdown program, with all mobile showrooms set to reopen nationwide on January 22. However, they vowed to continue boycotting products from a specific syndicate accused of trying to monopolize the market under the NEIR initiative.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Atiur Rahman and 24 others in a case involving the alleged embezzlement of about Tk 531 crore under the name of Anontex Group. The warrants were issued by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez following confirmation from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mohammad Tarikul Islam. The court also set March 4 for submission of the report on the execution of the warrants.

According to the ACC, the accused conspired to defraud Janata Bank PLC by creating false records and misappropriating Tk 531.44 crore, which with interest amounts to approximately Tk 1,130.19 crore. The case was filed on February 22 of the previous year by ACC Deputy Director Md. Nazmul Hossain at the commission’s Dhaka Integrated District Office. The charge sheet against 26 individuals, including Dr. Abul Barkat, was submitted on October 20, and the court took cognizance on January 15.

Dr. Abul Barkat, the only accused currently in custody, was produced before the court, which rejected his bail plea and ordered his return to prison.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Tuesday began hearing a case over the killing of 28 people in Rampura during the anti-discrimination student movement. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, in his opening statement, compared the violence to the atrocities of March 25, describing it as unprecedented and calling for justice. The hearing took place before a three-member bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar.

Former Border Guard Bangladesh officers Lt Col Redwanul Islam and Major Md Rafat-bin-Alam Mun were present at the tribunal, while former police officials ADC Md Rashedul Islam and OC Md Mashiur Rahman remain absconding. Witness Bishwajit Rajbanshi testified that his father, Gangacharan Rajbanshi, was shot dead by BGB personnel during the Rampura crackdown.

The tribunal scheduled February 26 for cross-examination following the initial testimony. The case marks a significant step in addressing alleged crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the student movement.

A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) member, Naib Subedar Abdul Motaleb of the Border Guard Bangladesh, was beaten to death on Monday afternoon in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, about 12 kilometers from Chattogram city. Three others, including two RAB members and a source, were severely injured and admitted to the Combined Military Hospital in Chattogram. The attack occurred when a 16-member RAB team launched an operation to arrest three wanted criminals, including a notorious figure named Yasin, during the opening of a political office.

According to RAB officials and eyewitnesses, four RAB members entered the office where around 150 people were present. After detaining two suspects, about 300 attackers surrounded and assaulted the officers with sticks and bricks. The attackers later abducted the injured officers to Nizampur, three kilometers away, where Motaleb was fatally beaten. Police later rescued the survivors. Authorities confirmed there were no gunshot wounds on the victims.

RAB-7 officials said the area has long been a haven for armed groups and that efforts are underway to identify those involved in the attack.

Farmers in Nilphamari district are reporting a bumper yield of early varieties of mustard during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Harvesting is in full swing as growers take advantage of favorable weather, improved seeds, and government incentives. The Department of Agricultural Extension set a target of 9,023 hectares for mustard cultivation, but actual cultivation exceeded 11,000 hectares. Many farmers, previously affected by potato losses, have turned to mustard due to lower costs and higher profits.

Local farmers, including women entrepreneurs, said they achieved strong yields from early mustard varieties such as BARI-09, 14, 15, 18, and Tori-07. They noted that mustard requires less irrigation and labor, and its byproducts serve household fuel and cooking oil needs. The district’s deputy director of agriculture confirmed that quality seeds were distributed under government incentive programs, helping farmers achieve high productivity.

The success of early mustard cultivation has encouraged more farmers to adopt the crop, potentially expanding its acreage further in coming seasons if favorable conditions continue.