Evaly’s Managing Director Mohammad Russell and Chairperson Shamima Nasrin have been sentenced to two years of imprisonment without labor for fraud. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 taka each, with an additional two months in jail for non-payment. They absconded, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants. The case stemmed from a transaction where the plaintiff paid for bikes but never received them, despite multiple promises and attempts for repayment.

A court in Sirajganj has directed the registration of a case against six police officers, including former officers-in-charge (OCs) of Ullapara and Solonga police stations, over the alleged torture of truck driver Rokon Molla. Molla claims he was shot and disabled by former OC Asif Mohammad Siddikul Islam and was wrongfully imprisoned in false cases. The accused deny the charges, claiming Molla is a criminal leader with numerous cases against him. The case registration process is underway.

The Appellate Division has temporarily lifted the High Court’s stay on the recruitment of 3,173 Junior Instructors under the Directorate of Technical Education. This allows them to join their positions despite previous allegations of question paper leaks in the 2022 recruitment exam. The High Court had suspended the process, but the government appealed. The PSC had finalized the results in November 2023, and appointment notices were issued in January 2024. The CID is still investigating the alleged ₹12.5 billion transaction linked to the leak.

The admission process for the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University has encountered complexities after the university’s decision to stop admissions under its affiliation starting this academic year. While applications for undergraduate admissions are ongoing, the jurisdiction for entrance exams remains unclear. The government has proposed establishing a new university for these colleges, but due to the time-consuming process of law-making, uncertainty surrounds the timeline. Students are demanding clarity and quick actions regarding the establishment of the new university.

The government has canceled the passports of nine individuals, including Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, former Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), over allegations of involvement in a stock market scandal. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also imposed a travel ban. The accused, including former BSEC officials, are suspected of assisting in market manipulation and accumulating illegal wealth. Shibli Rubaiyat resigned following the political upheaval in August 2023, and his departure from the country is now restricted.

Shahbagh police inspector Md. Arshad Hossain, involved in pressing a student’s face during the anti-discrimination student movement, has been sent to jail by the International Criminal Tribunal. He was one of three police officers arrested for crimes related to genocide and humanity during July-August. The incident, which went viral on social media, led to his temporary suspension on August 18 for unprofessional conduct that damaged the police’s image. The tribunal ordered his imprisonment after reviewing the prosecution’s appeal.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that all unequal agreements made with India during the Awami League government’s tenure will be reviewed. He made this announcement at a press conference held at the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 29. The event was centered around the border conference between the Director Generals of Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The discussions aim to address existing concerns and ensure fair agreements in future bilateral relations.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that security has been strengthened at Bishwa Ijtema to prevent any disorder. Around 7,000 law enforcement officers and 10,000 volunteers will oversee security. The entire Ijtema ground is monitored by 335 CCTV cameras, drones, and RAB helicopters. Naval police will patrol the Turag River with speedboats, while 20 checkpoints and watchtowers will enhance surveillance. Plainclothes officers will be deployed within the grounds. Law enforcement remains on high alert to ensure a peaceful event.

Six more individuals injured in the July Revolution are being taken to Bangkok, Thailand, for advanced medical care. A flight carrying them will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday (January 29) at 11:20 AM. Among them, three were undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), while the other three were at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. This move follows the interim government’s previous efforts, where 22 injured individuals were sent abroad at different times for better treatment.

Government primary school teachers are protesting today, demanding the resignation of Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. His remark—“If your salary is insufficient, switch to another profession”—angered teachers. A nationwide human chain will take place at 4 PM across all upazilas. Dr. Poddar made the statement during a January 26 meeting in Chattogram, later claiming his words were distorted. Teachers argue his comments reflect a lack of respect for their profession.

Bangladesh Railway’s running staff have called off their strike after assurances that their demands will be met. Train services resumed early Wednesday, with the Sagordari Express departing Rajshahi for Khulna at 6:10 AM. A railway ministry official confirmed that normal operations are restoring, leading to the withdrawal of temporary BRTC bus services. Running staff leader Saidur Rahman stated that an official notification regarding their demands would be issued by Wednesday. The decision followed a late-night meeting with the Road and Railways Advisor.

Bangladesh Railway’s running staff called off their strike after receiving assurances regarding their demand to include the running allowance in pensions and gratuity. Train operations, halted since Monday midnight, resumed early Wednesday. Despite resumption, delays persisted due to technical issues, with some trains leaving up to two and a half hours late. Many passengers were unaware of the strike’s withdrawal, resulting in empty seats. Officials expect normalcy within a few days. Passengers expressed relief as services gradually returned to schedule.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has upgraded its Ground Support Equipment (GSE) to boost efficiency at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal. Newly added equipment includes seven air conditioning units, two air start units, and nine belt loaders, with more equipment like ambulifts and baggage carts arriving soon. These additions will improve passenger comfort, speed up baggage handling, and ensure timely flight operations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance ground handling capabilities, marking a major step forward in Biman’s operational readiness.

Following a 10-day-long protest by teachers, the government has announced a plan to gradually nationalize all independent Ebtedayee madrasas. Initially, 1,519 grant-supported madrasas will be included under the MPO scheme starting in 2025. The Ministry of Education has accepted the teachers’ six-point demands in principle and expressed regret over police actions during the protests. Teachers have suspended their movement until June 30, warning of further action if demands are not met. This decision marks significant progress for the Ebtedayee education sector.

Education Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud revealed that a new independent university will be established for the seven colleges currently affiliated with Dhaka University, following years of complications. The process will take time, as creating a university involves constitutional work, teacher recruitment, legal and financial considerations, and state-level accreditation. The authorities have decided to admit students separately from the next session. Opinions from current students will be gathered to finalize the admission process for the 2024-25 academic year.