The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy mobile courts across the country to prevent illegal hoarding and overpricing of fuel. The decision follows reports of artificial fuel shortages and public unrest, including long queues and incidents of vandalism at petrol pumps. The directive was issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Enamul Haque. It has already been sent to all district commissioners.

According to the directive, some unscrupulous traders have been stockpiling fuel illegally to create an artificial crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government has already set limits on fuel sales per vehicle to manage the situation. Reports have also surfaced of fuel being sold above government-fixed prices, hoarded for extra profit, or diverted to the open market and smuggling routes.

The ministry has instructed district administrations to strengthen field-level monitoring through mobile courts to stop illegal storage, overpricing, open-market sales, and potential smuggling of fuel. Copies of the directive were also sent to the Home Ministry, the Cabinet Division, and relevant energy officials.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East could negatively impact Bangladesh’s remittance inflow. Speaking to journalists on Sunday after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said some impact is inevitable but the government has taken several initiatives to support expatriate workers, which will soon become visible.

The minister said the government’s first priority is ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East by providing logistical and health support, and considering repatriation if the situation worsens. A joint monitoring cell comprising the foreign, civil aviation, and expatriates’ welfare ministries has been formed to track developments daily. So far, three Bangladeshi deaths have been reported, and efforts are underway to bring their bodies home.

Chowdhury added that efforts to reopen closed overseas labor markets are ongoing but have slowed due to the war and Ramadan. He also instructed local law enforcement in Sylhet to strengthen surveillance against snatching and youth gang activities ahead of Eid.

Police recovered six unexploded sound grenades from inside the boundary near the main gate of the Supreme Court in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. The grenades were discovered around 12:30 p.m. by High Court cleaning staff during routine cleaning work. They immediately informed Shahbagh Police Station, which dispatched a team to the site. The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit’s bomb disposal team later arrived to handle the situation.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, the CTTC bomb disposal unit safely removed the grenades and transported them to Suhrawardy Udyan, where they were defused following proper safety procedures. Authorities have begun investigating the incident to determine how the grenades ended up near the court premises.

The discovery prompted heightened security measures around the Supreme Court area as police continued their inquiry into the source and purpose of the abandoned explosives.

Indian police have arrested Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, along with his associate Alamgir Hossain. The arrests were made by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force from the Bongaon border area late Saturday night, and an Indian court has granted 14 days of remand for both suspects. Discussions are now underway on how to bring them back to Bangladesh.

According to Bangladesh Police Headquarters, the extradition of Faisal and Alamgir could be achieved through high-level cooperation between the two countries, as the Hadi murder case has drawn significant attention. Senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said they have not yet received official confirmation from India but are monitoring the situation. Analysts noted that the suspects could be returned under the existing prisoner exchange agreement between Bangladesh and India.

The 2013 extradition treaty between the two nations, amended in 2016, allows for the return of individuals accused or convicted of crimes punishable by at least one year in prison, excluding politically motivated offenses. Murder and related crimes are not considered political under the treaty.

Defense lawyer Aminul Gani Tito claimed that Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman had been in hiding for eight years and was not abducted by any law enforcement agency. The statement came during cross-examination in the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, in a case concerning alleged crimes against humanity linked to the TFI Cell.

During questioning, Tito told Arman that his book describing his disappearance was false, which Arman denied. Arman also said that he could not provide certain clothing items requested by the investigating officer because they were not preserved. A documentary about Arman’s disappearance was shown in court, featuring CCTV footage of him wearing a lungi, T-shirt, and towel around his neck. Tito suggested the footage was staged for the documentary, but Arman rejected that claim.

The tribunal scheduled the next cross-examination for March 10 after defense lawyer Tabarak Hossain sought time on behalf of seven accused, including Lt. Col. Sarwar Bin Kashem. The prosecution was represented by Mizanul Islam and others.

Indian police have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, including Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of former Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi. The arrests were made by the Special Task Force of West Bengal Police from the Bongaon border area on Sunday, according to Indian news agency ANI. The detainees, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Alomgir Hossain, were accused of illegal entry and residence in India.

Police said the two suspects fled Bangladesh after committing serious crimes, including extortion and murder, and had been hiding in India. They were captured during a late-night operation between March 7 and 8 based on specific intelligence. Preliminary interrogation indicated their direct involvement in Hadi’s killing, after which they entered India through the Meghalaya border and later gathered in Bongaon to return to Bangladesh.

A case has been filed against the two under specific legal provisions, and a local court has ordered them into police custody for further investigation.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program from Dinajpur on March 16. The minister made the statement after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Saha Para in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. According to him, the initiative marks the beginning of a countrywide effort to excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies.

He said that the program fulfills a key election pledge by Prime Minister Rahman, who had promised to excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies within five years of forming the government. The Dinajpur site was chosen as the first location for the inauguration. The Water Resources Ministry has planned a 12.20-kilometer canal excavation at Balrampur Saha Para, which will be launched simultaneously across the country.

The minister also stated that after the nationwide canal excavation, 250 million trees will be planted. Several local officials, including the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur-1 and senior police and administrative officers, were present during the inspection.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East could impact Bangladesh’s remittance inflow. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, March 8, after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said the government has taken several initiatives to support remittance earners, which will soon become visible.

The minister emphasized that ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the conflict zone is the government’s top priority. A joint monitoring cell comprising the foreign, civil aviation, and expatriates’ welfare ministries has been formed to observe the situation daily. He confirmed that three Bangladeshi nationals have died in the conflict, and efforts are underway to repatriate their bodies while maintaining contact with their families.

Chowdhury added that efforts to reopen closed overseas labor markets are ongoing, though the Middle East situation has slowed progress. The government is now focusing on East Asian markets, expecting improvement after Ramadan and as the war situation stabilizes.

Bangladesh Bank has paid $1.37 billion to settle the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) bill for the January–February period, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The payment was made on Sunday, and as a result, the country’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to drop below $35 billion.

As of March 5, Bangladesh’s gross reserves stood at $35.49 billion, while the BPM6-based reserve was $30.76 billion. The central bank typically settles ACU obligations from its reserves, leading to a temporary decline after each payment. In previous cycles, Bangladesh paid $1.53 billion for November–December, $1.61 billion for September–October, and $1.50 billion for the preceding two months.

The Asian Clearing Union is a regional payment arrangement among nine central banks in Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and the Maldives. It facilitates settlement of import and export transactions among member countries every two months.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka has scheduled April 6 for the hearing on charge framing against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and four others in a case over the 2016 killing of nine youths in Mirpur’s Jahaj Bari area. The tribunal, chaired by Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with two other members, issued the order after the accused failed to appear despite prior summons. Two of the eight accused, former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque and former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, are in custody, while the others remain absconding.

According to the case details, the victims—mostly madrasa students—were allegedly abducted and detained in secret facilities before being killed in a staged anti-terror operation at the so-called “Jahaj Building” on July 25, 2016. The prosecution claims the accused conspired to fabricate the militant raid and later falsified evidence to justify the killings.

The charges include crimes against humanity, with allegations that senior officials, including Hasina and Kamal, failed to act against subordinates and instead rewarded them with state honors.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power and Energy, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that electricity prices will not rise for now, despite public fears fueled by opposition claims linking potential hikes to the ongoing war. Speaking at an event organized by the Northern Region Student Forum at the National Press Club on Sunday, he said the country’s fuel reserves are increasing as two oil tankers have anchored to deliver supplies.

The minister explained that one tanker has already anchored and another was expected later in the day, which will further boost reserves. However, he emphasized that rationing will continue until the war ends to ensure sustainable consumption. He urged citizens and party members to remain vigilant against fuel smuggling and black-market activities.

Tuku reiterated that although reserves are improving, prudent management is essential to maintain stability until supply chains normalize. The government aims to balance fuel availability with responsible usage during the uncertain duration of the conflict.

A massive fire continued to burn for nearly ten hours at Tehran’s fuel storage tanks following an Israeli strike, according to BBC Persian. The blaze, which began overnight, has filled the skies over large parts of the Iranian capital with thick black smoke. Despite ongoing efforts, authorities have not yet brought the fire under control.

Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid open spaces due to severe air pollution. The Iranian Red Crescent issued a warning about possible acid rain, explaining that explosions at the oil depot released large quantities of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. The agency cautioned that any resulting rainfall could be highly dangerous and acidic.

The Red Crescent advised citizens to avoid rubbing skin exposed to such rain, to rinse affected areas with cold water, and to change any wet clothing immediately, sealing it in a closed bag to prevent further exposure.

The government will ensure that workers receive their wages and bonuses before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Sunday. He made the statement after a meeting on law and order held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, which also discussed preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day.

The minister said the discussions focused on maintaining law and order during the Eid period, particularly in the garment sector and road transport, to ensure a smooth and comfortable holiday journey. Two separate meetings were held to address these issues. To coordinate efforts, the additional inspector general of industrial police has been designated as the focal point to work with BGMEA, labor representatives, and transport authorities.

The government’s coordinated approach aims to prevent disruptions and ensure public comfort during the festive season, according to the minister’s briefing.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed in a case involving over Tk 11 crore in alleged illegal assets. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez accepted the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) charge sheet and ordered the warrant as Benazir remains absconding. The court also directed authorities to submit a report on the arrest by March 30, according to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain.

The ACC had filed the case on December 15, 2024, through Deputy Director Hafizul Islam, accusing Benazir of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources, concealing asset information, and money laundering. The charge sheet, submitted on November 30, 2025, stated that Benazir declared assets worth Tk 12.2 crore, but investigators found evidence of property totaling Tk 15.68 crore.

According to the ACC findings, Benazir’s legitimate income accounted for Tk 6.59 crore, leaving Tk 11.04 crore in unexplained wealth. The report alleges he concealed the origins and ownership of these funds through various bank accounts and business ventures.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 22 bank accounts belonging to former Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naeem Nizam, his wife Farida Yasmin, and their child. The accounts, holding a total of Tk 42.18 million, were blocked following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The order was issued on Sunday, March 8, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, according to court officials.

The ACC’s assistant director Md Rakibul Hayat filed the petition, citing ongoing investigations into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation and money laundering abroad involving Naeem Nizam, Farida Yasmin—also a former reserved-seat MP—and former Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haq Milan. The petition stated that the accused were allegedly attempting to transfer or conceal movable assets linked to them and their associated entities.

The court issued the freeze order after a hearing, determining that the measure was necessary to ensure a fair and effective investigation into the allegations.