A Chattogram court has ordered the imprisonment of two former directors of United Commercial Bank (UCB), Aporup Chowdhury and Touhid Sipar Rafiquzzaman, in a case involving the embezzlement and foreign transfer of Tk 25 crore through hundi. The order was issued on Tuesday morning by Senior Special Judge Mizanur Rahman after the two accused surrendered before the court.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public prosecutor Mokarram Hossain, the case was filed by the ACC and names a total of 36 accused, including former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury of the Awami League government. So far, six accused are in jail while 32 remain absconding. The court has scheduled April 5 for the start of witness testimony.

The allegations state that Tk 25 crore was embezzled from UCB’s Chattogram Port Branch and laundered abroad. The court accepted the ACC’s charge sheet on January 7 this year, and the case remains under trial.

A Dhaka court has shown former Chhatra League vice president Mashiur Rahman arrested in the murder case of Sakil, who was killed during the anti-discrimination student movement in Mirpur. The order was issued on Tuesday by Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam, who also directed that Mashiur be sent to jail. Before the order, Mashiur was produced before the court, and Mirpur Model Police Sub-Inspector Md. Kabir Hossain requested that he be shown arrested in the case.

According to the application, secret information suggested Mashiur’s involvement in the killing. He is already in jail in connection with another murder case, and investigators argued that showing him arrested in this case was necessary for the investigation. The court granted the request after a hearing.

The case alleges that on August 4, 2024, Sakil left home to join a peaceful protest at Mirpur-10, where around 300 unidentified armed men opened fire on demonstrators. Sakil was shot and later died on August 7, 2024, while under treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon.

A case has been filed against Aminul Islam Sujon, the organizational secretary of Brahmanpara Upazila Awami League and former vice chairman of the upazila council, for allegedly assaulting acting headmistress Hasina Islam at Berakhla Abdul Matin Khasru Girls’ High School in Comilla. The incident occurred last Sunday, and the victim filed the case on Monday night at Brahmanpara Police Station, naming 11 accused including Sujon. The charges include attempted murder and violence against women.

According to the report, Sujon had previously been dismissed from his teaching post in 2019 for using a fake certificate and forging official signatures. After claiming a favorable court verdict, he rejoined the school two weeks ago, which allegedly led to tensions with the acting headmistress. Sujon and his cousin Sohel Rana, a local Jubo Dal leader, are accused of leading a group of supporters to attack the school.

Local officials confirmed that police are investigating the case and promised no one will be spared if found guilty. The accused, however, claimed he was being harassed and that the dispute arose during his attempt to resume duties following official advice.

A new analysis by environmental group 350.org reports that the global rise in fuel and gas prices, driven by the ongoing Iran war, has caused an estimated $111 billion in losses to consumers and businesses within a month. The organization warned that major oil companies such as Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil could gain billions in additional profits from the crisis.

According to 350.org, imposing taxes on these windfall profits could help offset the economic impact of rising energy costs. The group noted that its estimate does not include indirect effects such as higher fertilizer and food prices, suggesting that the real economic damage may be significantly greater. It also cited examples of policy responses, including a proposed windfall tax in the Philippines, renewed export taxes in India, and Indonesia’s plan to install 100 gigawatts of solar power to strengthen energy independence.

The organization emphasized that investment in renewable energy could help stabilize global energy prices over time.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to purchase 260,000 metric tons of fuel oil to strengthen the country’s energy security. The decision was approved on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.

According to meeting sources, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposed the purchase in response to the unstable geopolitical situation following the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. The committee approved the direct international purchase of 100,000 metric tons of crude oil from Abir Trade and Global Markets, 100,000 metric tons of EN590-10 PPM sulfur standard diesel from Exxon Mobil Kazakhstan Inc. (EMKI), and 60,000 metric tons of gas oil (0.5% sulfur diesel) from Indonesia’s PT Bumi Siak Pusako Japin (BSP Japin) under a government-to-government arrangement.

The approved purchases aim to meet emergency fuel demand and maintain stability in the domestic energy supply amid global market volatility.

The prosecution has filed formal charges against Abul Hasanat Abdullah, a former Member of Parliament and cousin of Sheikh Hasina, along with three others, in connection with the killing of two men in a staged crossfire in Agailjhara, Barishal, on February 2, 2015. The charges were submitted to International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday, accusing the defendants of crimes against humanity.

According to the formal complaint, the victims, Tipu Hawlader and Kabir Molla, were political rivals of Abul Hasanat Abdullah. The prosecution alleged that Abdullah, unable to defeat them politically, abused state power to eliminate them. He allegedly instructed the then Barishal Superintendent of Police, AKM Ehsan Ullah, to fabricate a case against the two men, leading to their extrajudicial killing by ASI Mahbul Islam and ASI Jasim Uddin near the Agailjhara bypass road.

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for April 15. Both ASI Mahbul Islam and ASI Jasim Uddin are currently in custody.

A Dhaka court has sentenced a man named Kajol to death for killing another person over a dispute involving five taka. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by Judge Md. Nurul Islam of the 11th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court in Dhaka. Along with the death sentence, the court also imposed a fine of 10,000 taka. Kajol, a resident of Jaria village in Purbadhala, Netrakona, was brought to court from prison for the verdict and later sent back to jail with the sentencing order.

According to the case details, the incident occurred in 2018 when Kajol demanded five taka from the victim. After a delay in payment, he stabbed the victim above the navel with a sharp knife, causing fatal injuries. Locals took the victim to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The victim’s son, Saiful, filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The court framed charges against Kajol on September 30, 2018, and heard testimony from 11 of 15 witnesses during the trial.

The ruling concludes a lengthy legal process that began nearly eight years ago, bringing closure to the case initiated by the victim’s family.

On March 31, 2026, the SME Foundation signed an agreement with Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) to expand its credit wholesaling program. Under this deal, the foundation will provide Tk 125 crore in loans at 9% interest to cottage, micro, small, and medium (CMSME) entrepreneurs in the agro-based and food processing sectors. The financing will be channeled through banks and financial institutions with support from JICA.

The initiative is part of BIFFL’s Food Value Chain Improvement Project, financially and technically assisted by JICA. It aims to strengthen the food value chain, enhance food security, and build entrepreneurial capacity, with special priority for women entrepreneurs. Funding will cover processing of fruits, vegetables, spices, rice, pulses, edible oil, seeds, organic fertilizers, and biopesticides, as well as wholesale, logistics, and retail sectors. It will also support capital investments such as machinery, factory infrastructure, and warehouses.

The project is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s food value chain, reduce import dependence, boost export potential, and create rural employment opportunities.

The government has directed all travel agencies with expired licenses to renew their registration certificates within 15 working days. The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry issued the order on Tuesday, warning that agencies failing to comply will face strict legal measures under existing laws.

According to the ministry, operating a travel agency without a valid registration certificate or with an expired one is completely illegal under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act 2013, its 2021 amendment, and the 2022 regulations. The statement noted that delays in renewal have caused revenue losses for the government.

The ministry urged all individuals and organizations with expired licenses to apply for renewal through the online Travel Agency Management System at www.regtravelagency.gov.bd. It further cautioned that failure to obtain or renew valid registration within the specified period will result in legal action under the 2013 Act.

The Bangladesh government has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged in April 2026. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that there will be no increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, or petrol. The decision was formalized through an order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Enamul Haque from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

According to the order, issued under the revised 'Automatic Fuel Pricing Guideline,' the retail prices will stay fixed at 100 taka per liter for diesel, 120 taka for octane, 116 taka for petrol, and 112 taka for kerosene. These rates will take effect from April 1, 2026. The ministry stated that the decision aligns with the automatic pricing mechanism and has been duly approved by the competent authority.

The announcement provides clarity for consumers and businesses ahead of the new month, ensuring price stability in the domestic fuel market for at least the immediate term.

A tanker named ‘PVT Solana’ carrying 30,000 tons of refined diesel from Malaysia arrived at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The Panama-flagged vessel’s arrival was confirmed by the port’s secretary, Syed Refayet Karim, who said the fuel will be unloaded through lighters after completing formalities. The port authority is also considering docking the ship at the Dolphin Jetty if necessary to complete the unloading process.

According to port sources, another ship carrying the same amount of diesel is expected to arrive on April 3, followed by a vessel with 70,000 tons of LNG on April 4. In March alone, 33 fuel-carrying ships have arrived at Chattogram Port, including 15 oil tankers—eight of which carried diesel—alongside eight LNG and nine LPG carriers. Officials noted that the latest diesel shipment offers some relief amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The continued arrival of fuel shipments indicates stable supply operations at Chattogram Port despite global disruptions.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam stated that no one, regardless of rank, will be exempted in the Shapla Chattar killings case. He said the investigation into the 2013 incident during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass gathering is in its final stage. On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered the imprisonment of former Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Jalil Mondol in connection with the case. Following the order, the Chief Prosecutor told reporters that the investigation report would be submitted soon.

Aminul Islam added that all past incidents of crossfire are being reviewed to bring them under trial. He also mentioned that information on all cases filed after August 5, 2024, has been collected, and the prosecution will examine whether irregularities occurred. Those linked to crimes against humanity during the “One-Eleven” period will also face trial.

The statements underscore the tribunal’s intent to ensure accountability across all levels of involvement in serious crimes and irregularities.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association announced plans to close fuel stations from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, citing supply shortages and logistical challenges. The decision was discussed at a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Tuesday, where members said filling stations were not receiving adequate fuel from depots.

Owners identified supply and transportation management as their biggest challenges. They explained that partial tanker loads increase transport costs and cause financial losses, urging that tankers be fully loaded to ensure efficient distribution. They also called for better coordination when supplying multiple stations within the same district to reduce inefficiencies.

The association acknowledged that some unauthorized fuel sales or hoarding might occur but stressed that such actions do not represent the entire sector. They stated that any station withholding sales despite having fuel should face strict action, including possible cancellation of dealership rights, with cooperation from both the government and the association.

The Bangladesh government is set to announce new fuel prices today, Tuesday, aligning domestic rates with global market trends. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division spokesperson, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, confirmed the decision would be finalized based on current conditions. He spoke to reporters at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is trying to provide some relief to citizens despite rising global prices and assured that all development activities remain ongoing.

According to the Energy Ministry, as of March 30, the country holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve, including 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. This stock can meet national demand for 15 to 16 days. An additional 150,000 metric tons of diesel are expected to arrive in April, eliminating concerns about shortages.

The ministry also noted that diesel accounts for about 63 percent of national fuel consumption, mainly used in irrigation and public transport. The government is considering energy-saving measures such as extended weekends, reduced office hours, and online classes.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh announced on 31 March 2026 that the country currently holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve. The disclosure came during a press briefing at the Secretariat, where ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that 87,700 liters of illegally stored fuel were recovered across the country on 30 March as part of an ongoing government operation.

According to the ministry, the reserves include 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. Officials stated that fuel supply remains stable through regular imports, and special attention is being given to maintaining adequate jet fuel stocks ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.

To strengthen oversight, the government has appointed “tag officers” at filling stations nationwide. In Dhaka Division alone, 479 officers are deployed across 13 districts and 116 in the metropolitan area, with similar arrangements in other divisions. The ministry expects this initiative to improve transparency and discipline in fuel management.