A police officer named Abdul Khalek was beaten by a mob in Dhunat upazila of Bogura on Monday morning after being accused of taking a bribe from a motorcyclist. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at the Hukum Ali Bus Stand area on the Dhunat-Sherpur regional road, where a police checkpoint had been set up. Khalek, who serves at Dhunat Police Station, was reportedly collecting documents from motorcyclists when the allegation arose.

According to police and local sources, the checkpoint was led by TSI Abul Kalam Azad, with officers Abdul Khalek and Abdul Hamid on duty. During the inspection, one motorcyclist was fined for not wearing a helmet, while Khalek allegedly took 1,000 taka from another rider and released him. Locals, noticing the alleged bribe, attacked Khalek, who later fled the scene. Another officer was surrounded by the crowd until SI Mostafizar Rahman arrived and rescued them.

Abdul Khalek denied the allegation, claiming no money was found on him. TSI Abul Kalam Azad stated he was unaware of any bribe but confirmed that locals assaulted the officer.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam has assured that the agency’s server will be fully operational by February 1. He gave this assurance during a meeting with leaders of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) in Dhaka, where discussions focused on urban development, housing sector progress, and improving citizen services.

During the meeting, REHAB leaders, including Senior Vice President Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan and Vice President Engineer Abdul Latif, urged faster approval of designs under the new Detailed Area Plan (DAP). The RAJUK chairman pledged to simplify processes for land mutation and easement deeds, reduce customer harassment, and make digital services more efficient and transparent. He explained that software updates are underway following the issuance of new regulations and the revised DAP notification.

According to the chairman, once the software update is completed, design approvals will resume before February 1, ensuring smoother service delivery and improved transparency in RAJUK’s operations.

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Pakistan’s northwestern Kashmir region on Monday, killing one person and causing several houses to collapse, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake’s epicenter was about 35 kilometers below the surface. The tremor triggered landslides that sent heavy rocks tumbling onto roads, damaging infrastructure and blocking access routes.

Regional Information Minister Ghulam Abbas said that in Gilgit-Baltistan province, multiple mud houses were destroyed or damaged. Falling rocks from surrounding mountains struck several roads, closing entry points and damaging a major highway. Government agencies quickly deployed machinery to clear debris and restore normal traffic flow.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage, and local alerts remain in effect in the affected areas as cleanup and recovery operations continue.

Bangladesh’s two leading garment associations, BGMEA and BKMEA, have demanded the government cancel its initiative to withdraw the bonded warehouse facility for importing 10–30 count cotton yarn. The Ministry of Commerce recently recommended ending this benefit to reduce yarn imports from India, citing misuse of the facility. At a joint press conference in Dhaka’s Sonargaon Hotel, industry leaders warned that removing the facility would raise raw material costs, reduce export competitiveness, and threaten the apparel sector’s stability.

BGMEA acting president Selim Rahman said the decision was taken unilaterally despite ongoing discussions with the Tariff Commission. He argued that imposing duties amid global market slowdown, geopolitical tensions, and domestic energy shortages would further strain the sector. The associations noted that apparel exports fell 2.63 percent in July–December of fiscal year 2025–26 compared to the previous year, with a 14.23 percent drop in December alone.

The Commerce Ministry, however, justified its proposal by citing protection of local textile mills, which are operating at 60 percent capacity and facing losses. It warned that continued bonded imports could make the knitwear sector import-dependent, increasing lead times and reducing foreign exchange reserves.

The Armed Police Battalion (16 APBn) has recovered 244 lost mobile phones and Tk 40,000 obtained through mobile banking fraud in the Rohingya camps and surrounding Ukhiya–Teknaf areas of Cox’s Bazar over the past year. The recoveries were made using information technology and cyber surveillance under the unit’s specialized cyber team, which traced the devices and funds based on general diary reports. After verification, the recovered items were returned to their rightful owners, who expressed satisfaction and gratitude.

According to APBn sources, the force has intensified technology-based policing and cyber monitoring in camps such as Nayapara, Leda, Shamlapur, and Jadimura to ensure public safety and curb crime. The 16 APBn continues regular operations to prevent mobile theft and mobile banking fraud while maintaining law and order in the region.

Commanding Officer Additional DIG Mohammad Kawsar Sikder stated that the success of the cyber team demonstrates their capability in ensuring public security and strengthening public trust in police services. The battalion remains committed to expanding modern, technology-driven policing in the Rohingya and border areas.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, announced that a court has ordered the sale of Nasa Group’s assets to settle the lawful outstanding wages and service benefits of its workers. He made the statement on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat during the 15th meeting of the advisory council reviewing labor and business conditions at Beximco Industrial Park.

According to the adviser, the court-appointed administrator has already sold Nasa Group shares and paid Tk 76 crore to the workers. The group has also made down payments to eight banks under Bangladesh Bank’s directives. The remaining payments to 15 banks and the rest of the workers’ dues will be cleared through the sale of additional Nasa Group properties via open competition, as directed by the court.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bangladesh Bank, industrial police, and other relevant ministries and institutions, along with Nasa Group representatives and commercial bank officials, attended the meeting.

A Dhaka court has formally started the trial of S Alam Group Chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and former banker Prashanta Kumar (PK) Halder, along with 11 others, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case alleges abuse of power and fraud in securing and misappropriating a loan. On Monday, January 19, 2026, Judge Md Abdus Salam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 9 framed charges against the accused and set February 8 for the start of witness testimony.

According to the case, the accused allegedly colluded to approve and disburse a term loan of Tk 32.5 crore in 2013 under the name of a non-existent firm, M/S Mostafa & Co, which was later transferred to S Alam Super Edible Oil Ltd. The ACC filed the case on July 2 of the previous year, and after investigation, submitted the charge sheet on October 16, naming 13 individuals.

Two accused, Nahida Runai and Rashedul Haque, were produced from prison and pleaded not guilty, seeking justice. The court rejected their discharge petitions, while the remaining accused remain absconding.

A police trainee was critically injured during a training session at the Mahera Police Training Centre (PTC) in Tangail when a bullet from a China rifle struck him. The injured trainee recruit constable, identified as Md. Masum, 19, was first taken to Tangail General Hospital and later airlifted by a RAB helicopter to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after his condition worsened. He was admitted to the Orthopedic Surgery and Emergency Care Unit around 11 a.m. on Monday, where doctors described his condition as critical.

According to a person who accompanied him to the hospital, the incident occurred during a routine firing test at the training ground when a bullet hit Masum’s left shoulder, causing him to collapse. Trainers and fellow trainees immediately rescued him, and the PTC medical team provided initial treatment before transferring him to Tangail General Hospital. The incident is being supervised by AIG Maruf Abdullah and SI Toufiquzzaman from police headquarters.

An internal investigation has been launched to determine whether the shooting was accidental or caused by technical or human error, and whether proper firearm handling protocols were followed during the training.

At least ten people were injured in a clash over a mosque boundary dispute in Bishnudia village of Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah, on Monday morning. The incident occurred when supporters of two local leaders, Zahid Chowdhury and Abul Bashar Sadat, confronted each other with local weapons.

Police said the two groups had a long-standing rivalry over social dominance in the area. A few days earlier, an argument had erupted between their supporters regarding the demarcation of mosque land in Bishnudia village. The dispute escalated into a violent confrontation that left at least ten people injured.

Police from Shailkupa station arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Five of the injured were taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex and later referred to hospitals in Faridpur, Kushtia, and Jhenaidah for advanced treatment. Authorities have deployed police in the area to prevent further unrest.

The government of Bangladesh plans to fully implement the proposed new pay scale for public servants from July 1, 2026, marking the beginning of the 2026–27 fiscal year. According to the Ministry of Finance and the Pay Commission, the new structure has been partially effective since January 1, 2026. The Pay Commission is scheduled to submit its report on January 21 to Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, after which it will be presented to the advisory council for review.

As part of preparations for partial implementation, the Ministry of Finance has allocated an additional 22,000 crore taka in the revised 2025–26 budget for operating expenses. The commission estimates that full implementation will require an additional 70,000 to 80,000 crore taka. The proposed structure recommends higher increases for lower-grade employees, with the minimum salary—currently 8,250 taka—suggested to more than double, and the maximum salary—currently 78,000 taka—to rise above 120,000 taka. The commission also proposes maintaining a 1:8 ratio between the highest and lowest pay grades.

The 21-member Pay Commission, formed on July 27 of the previous year under former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, was tasked with submitting its recommendations within six months.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Evaly Managing Director Mohammad Rassel and Chairperson Shamima Nasrin to 15 months in prison in a fraud case. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam in the absence of the accused. Each was also fined 500 taka, with an additional three months’ imprisonment in case of non-payment. Arrest warrants were issued as the defendants were not present during the verdict.

According to the case, the accused lured customers through flashy advertisements on Evaly’s Facebook page. Plaintiff Md. Bazlur Rahman paid 61,142 taka in advance on June 4, 2021, via debit card to purchase a Honda Livo 110cc motorbike, which was never delivered within the promised time. Rahman filed the case on September 24, 2024, and the court framed charges on August 25, 2025, before starting the trial.

The ruling marks a continuation of legal actions against Evaly’s leadership over allegations of fraudulent business practices in Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector.

Police in Savar have arrested a homeless man named Samrat, accused of killing six people over the past seven months. He was detained by the Detective Branch on Sunday, January 18, from the Savar municipal area. On Monday, police sent him to court seeking a 10-day remand for interrogation. Authorities said Samrat used to stay inside the Savar municipal community center at night, where five of the murders occurred, while another took place near the Savar Bazar bus stand.

Dhaka district Additional Superintendent of Police Arafatul Islam confirmed the arrest and remand request at a press briefing at Savar Model Police Station. He stated that the identities of five of the six victims remain unknown. Police seized a matchbox, scarf, and mobile phone from the suspect during the arrest. CCTV footage reportedly helped identify and capture him.

Investigators are now probing whether anyone else was involved in the killings. The motive behind the murders is expected to be revealed after interrogation if the court approves the remand.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh seized a large consignment of Indian contraband drugs worth about Tk 1 million during a joint operation in Gangachara, Rangpur, on January 19, 2026. The operation, conducted by the Lalmonirhat District Detective Branch (DB) and Gangachara Model Police Station, led to the capture of a truck carrying 885 bottles of Phensedyl and other drugs named Escap and Fairdil. The truck was intercepted after a chase that began in Lalmonirhat and ended in Gangachara.

According to police sources, a smuggling network had been using border areas to illegally transport banned Indian drugs into Bangladesh. The seized truck was found to have the drugs hidden in a concealed compartment. Rangpur Additional Superintendent of Police Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman confirmed that a case will be filed in Lalmonirhat, and the Gangachara police will conduct the investigation.

Authorities stated that the operation aligns with the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against narcotics, and similar drives will continue in border and internal regions to curb drug trafficking.

A report from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing in Bangladesh stated that out of 645 recorded attacks on minority communities in 2025, police identified communal elements in only 71 cases. The data, covering incidents from January to December 2025, was compiled from verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and nationwide investigation updates.

According to the report, the 71 communal incidents mainly involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a few other crimes. The remaining 574 incidents were assessed as non-communal, linked instead to disputes such as land conflicts, neighborhood quarrels, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and personal enmity. The report emphasized that while all crimes are concerning, most were criminal rather than communal in nature.

It further noted that the findings highlight challenges in law and order management and underscore the importance of evidence-based discussion over fear or misinformation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the appointment of a receiver to manage the seized properties of Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of S Alam Group. The order was issued on Monday, January 19, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. According to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain, the decision concerns 463.87 decimals of land and structures in Chattogram that had previously been confiscated.

The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Director, Tahasin Munabil Haque, had earlier filed a petition seeking the appointment of a receiver to oversee the seized assets. After a hearing, the judge granted the request. The same court had earlier, on January 11, ordered the seizure of the properties belonging to the S Alam Group chairman.

The appointment of a receiver indicates that the court aims to ensure proper management and preservation of the confiscated assets while legal proceedings continue.