The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted a charge sheet to the court against 24 individuals, including former chairman Nazrul Islam and former chief executive officer Md. Hemayet Ullah, in a case over embezzlement at Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The charge sheet was filed by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, following a case lodged on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station.

According to the police report, the accused conspired to misappropriate company funds by preparing fake documents, vouchers, and extracts outside official board decisions. They allegedly diverted Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s MTDR investments to various affiliated individuals and entities, causing severe financial losses. Additional allegations include embezzlement of Tk 45 crore and Tk 115 crore through property purchases and Tk 92.55 crore through falsified real estate development expenses.

The investigation found that the company is now in deep financial crisis, unable to pay dues to millions of policyholders and employees. Two accused were cleared of charges, and one died in custody. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also filed seven more cases against the same group.

An oil-laden truck that plunged into the Padma River near the Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj’s Shibaloy upazila was recovered 17 hours after the accident. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, when the truck lost control and fell into the river. The recovery operation, led by BIWTA, TC, and Fire Service teams with the salvage vessel Hamza, successfully retrieved the submerged vehicle at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. The truck was carrying 24,000 liters of soybean oil.

According to BIWTA’s Aricha office executive engineer Rabiul Alam, the truck, registered as Jhenaidah-Dha 41-0042, was traveling from Jashore to Narayanganj. It fell into the river after its brakes failed while disembarking from a ferry at Paturia’s No. 5 pontoon area. Both the driver, Sharif, and his assistant were rescued alive and taken to the upazila health complex for treatment.

Officials confirmed that the oil cargo remained intact and that the recovery teams worked continuously until the vehicle was brought ashore.

Fourteen people were killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a microbus on the Khulna–Mongla highway at Belai Bridge area of Rampal upazila on Thursday afternoon. The victims included a newlywed couple returning from a wedding ceremony. The accident occurred when the microbus, carrying family members of Mongla municipality’s Ward 8 BNP president Abdur Razzak, collided with the bus. Among the dead were seven members of Razzak’s family, five from the bride’s family, the driver, and one other passenger.

Local administration and police quickly arrived at the scene and conducted rescue operations. The district commissioner and police officials confirmed the incident. State Minister Lions Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

Police stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Star Cineplex is set to launch a new multiplex cinema branch in Narayanganj during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, according to the company. The new branch is located at Simanto Tower in Jalkuri, Narayanganj, and will officially open on Eid day. It features three halls, two with 178 seats each and one with 75 seats, all equipped with modern sound systems, giant screens, and world-class facilities.

Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Assistant General Manager of Media and Marketing at Star Cineplex, described the new branch as an Eid gift for Narayanganj residents, particularly for local movie lovers. He said the opening fulfills a long-standing demand from the area’s audience and reflects the company’s satisfaction in expanding as planned.

Ahmed added that Star Cineplex prioritizes high-quality viewing environments and advanced technology to meet evolving audience preferences. The company plans to open additional branches later this year, extending its presence from major cities to district and sub-district levels across Bangladesh.

The Department of Narcotics Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a recruitment circular for 68 vacant posts in its revenue sector. The announcement, published on March 12, 2026, includes positions across 14 categories ranging from grade 11 to grade 20. The application process began on March 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will continue until April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years of age as of March 1, 2026, and can apply online through the official website http://dnc.teletalk.com.bd.

The circular lists positions such as medical technologist (radiology), pharmacist, physical instructor, lab assistant, dietitian, vocational instructor, ECG technician, linen keeper, ticket clerk, rent collector, assistant steward, ward master, record keeper, and lab attendant. Educational qualifications vary by post, from secondary school certificates to university degrees, with specific technical or vocational training required for some roles.

Application fees range from 56 to 168 taka depending on the post category. All recruitment and examination-related information will be available on the Department of Narcotics Control’s official website.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) detained three individuals in two separate operations in Dhaka, recovering illegal firearms and a large quantity of narcotics. According to a press release issued on Thursday, March 12, 2026, RAB-10 conducted the raids in Demra and Jatrabari areas as part of ongoing drives against drugs and illegal weapons.

In Demra’s Sarulia area, RAB officers arrested two suspects. One, identified as Md. Fahim Hossain, was caught with 3,865 yaba tablets, 11 packets, and 278 grams of heroin worth about Tk 4.05 million. Another suspect, Md. Hasibul Hasan alias Shanto, was detained with a locally made single-barrel gun and two rounds of 12-bore cartridges. Later that night, in Jatrabari’s Dolairpar area, RAB arrested Md. Mamun Mia, an alleged member of a snatching gang, and recovered evidence linked to his activities.

RAB-10 officials stated that surveillance and regular operations have been intensified to curb the spread of drugs, illegal weapons, and street crimes in the capital, with efforts continuing to maintain law and order.

The Ministry of Shipping has announced the launch of a special river transport service from March 17 to ensure safe and smooth travel for people returning home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The service will operate from two terminals in Dhaka, covering several key river routes with launch and steamer services.

According to the ministry, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is coordinating with relevant agencies to implement the initiative. Under the plan, vessels will operate from Shimulia Tourist Terminal near Kanchan Bridge on the Shimulia–Demra–Narayanganj–Chandpur–Kaliganj–Hijla–Barishal route, and from Bosila Terminal near Bosila Bridge on the Bosila–Sadarghat–Munshiganj–Chandpur–Eidgai Ferry Ghat–Shariatpur–Ilisha–Hakimuddin–Galachipa route.

Authorities have issued necessary instructions to maintain safety and order during the Eid travel period. Passengers are urged to use designated routes and contact the BIWTA hotline 16113 for assistance or emergencies.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested an active member of the notorious Karim Sharif gang during an operation near the Shhela River in the Sundarbans. The arrest took place early Thursday morning following a raid by a special team from the Coast Guard’s Mongla base. The detainee, identified as Osman Gani, 38, is a resident of Ashashuni in Satkhira district. According to a press release issued by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the operation was based on secret intelligence about the gang’s presence in the area.

Following the arrest, the Coast Guard recovered a single-barrel gun, 16 rounds of live cartridges, and five blank cartridges from the site based on information provided by the detainee. Authorities said Osman Gani had long been involved with the Karim Sharif gang, participating in robberies and supplying weapons and ammunition to the group. The Coast Guard stated that the arrested individual and seized items are being handed over to the relevant authorities for legal action.

Officials reaffirmed that regular operations will continue to keep the Sundarbans free from bandit activity.

Eight members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were injured in an attack during an anti-drug operation in Teknaf’s Nazirpara area of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday evening. The violence erupted after RAB arrested Faridul Alam, also known as Daket Farid, a local leader of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and a suspected drug trafficker facing 17 criminal cases including murder and money laundering. During the clash, two motorcycles, including one belonging to RAB, were set on fire and completely burned.

RAB-15’s Teknaf CPC-1 commander Sohel Rana confirmed the incident, saying the operation targeted known drug dealers. He reported that two of the injured RAB members were in critical condition and sent to Cox’s Bazar District Hospital. Local residents claimed the arrest occurred during a community iftar event organized by the volunteer group, which triggered public outrage and led to the attack.

Police and fire service units later arrived to control the situation. Teknaf police chief Saiful Islam said legal action would follow if RAB filed a complaint. The detainee’s father alleged political harassment and denied any active arrest warrant against his son.

Four people sustained burn injuries after an electrical transformer exploded at Maona intersection in Sreepur, Gazipur, on Wednesday night around 10:45 p.m. The explosion triggered a fire that spread to nearby shops, causing panic among hundreds of people in the area. Three of the injured were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment after receiving initial care at Al Hera Hospital.

According to local witnesses, the transformer exploded with a loud noise, and flames quickly spread to the adjacent Sahid Super Market. Sparks from the blast caused several people to catch fire, including one man whose head caught flames. The incident led to chaos as people fled the area, and some were injured while running.

Sreepur Fire Service Station Officer Nurul Karim said two fire service units brought the blaze under control shortly after it began. The fire spread to a nearby three-story building, damaging several shops and goods before being extinguished.

At least 12 people were killed and two others were seriously injured in a road accident at Belai Bridge area of Rampal upazila in Bagerhat on Thursday afternoon. The collision occurred between a Bangladesh Navy bus and a microbus carrying wedding guests. Several passengers died on the spot, while others sustained critical injuries.

According to local sources, the vehicles collided head-on while moving at high speed. Among the deceased, six were members of the family of Razzak Commissioner, while the identities of the others have not yet been confirmed. Police and fire service personnel quickly arrived at the scene and began rescue operations, sending the injured to Rampal Upazila Health Complex and Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Authorities fear the death toll may rise further. The tragic incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, and the local administration has begun investigating the cause of the accident.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Md. Jahangir Hossain to life imprisonment for raping a widow under the false promise of marriage in the capital’s Kafrul area. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by Judge Munshi Md. Moshiyar Rahman of the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-4. Along with the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Tk 200,000, to be recovered by selling the convict’s movable or immovable property and handed over to the victim.

According to the prosecution, the convict was acquainted with the victim, whose husband had died 11 months before the incident. Jahangir developed a romantic relationship with her and raped her on January 15, 2018, and again on January 17, 2019, after promising marriage. The victim later became pregnant, and DNA tests confirmed that Jahangir was the father of her son. The court also ordered that the convict’s property be seized to provide maintenance for the child until he turns 21, with the state covering expenses if necessary.

The tribunal heard testimony from five prosecution witnesses before delivering the verdict.

Bangladesh Bank has declared that selling new currency notes as commercial products is entirely illegal. The bank’s Executive Director and spokesperson, Arif Hossain Khan, made the statement to journalists on Thursday, warning that any officials from Bangladesh Bank or commercial banks found involved in such activities will face disciplinary measures. Law enforcement agencies will also take action against individuals engaged in the illegal sale of new notes.

Khan explained that while there is always demand for new notes during festivals, people should move away from this practice as the country advances toward a cashless economy. He emphasized that new notes are not commodities to be traded and reiterated that any supply of new notes for sale from banking institutions would result in administrative action against those responsible.

The announcement underscores Bangladesh Bank’s effort to curb illegal currency trading and promote digital financial practices in line with its broader cashless Bangladesh initiative.

A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of Dhaka University sociology professor A K M Jamal Uddin in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The order was issued on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam. Defense lawyer Golam Rabbani confirmed the decision. Jamal Uddin was arrested on Wednesday morning from Gulistan Zero Point while participating in a program called 'Bangabandhu Peace March 2026'. He was later shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent to jail.

During the hearing, lawyers Khair Uddin Shikder and Golam Rabbani represented Jamal Uddin, while Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman opposed the bail. The court denied the bail and instructed prison authorities to take necessary measures if the accused sought division facilities in jail.

Jamal Uddin, known as a pro-Awami League teacher of Dhaka University’s Blue Panel, had previously faced harassment incidents on campus and during political events earlier this year.

A total of 423 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 12 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the cancellations in a statement on Thursday, March 12, 2026. On that day alone, 28 flights were canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, Flydubai, and US-Bangla Airlines.

According to the authority, flight disruptions began on February 28, when 23 flights were canceled, followed by 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. The cancellations continued daily through March 12, affecting routes mainly to Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern destinations. Despite the disruptions, 51 flights were scheduled to operate on March 12, including nine to Muscat, 23 to Kuwait, and 19 to the UAE.

The cancellations have significantly affected international air connectivity from Dhaka, with limited operations continuing under constrained conditions.