The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid at the Naogaon Sadar Sub-Registry Office amid allegations of rampant irregularities and bribery. A service recipient said, “Nothing gets done here without paying bribes. If ACC carries out raids weekly, we’ll all benefit.” ACC officer Mehbuba Khatun Rita stated, “Collusion between sub-registry officials and deed writers is leading to harassment and unauthorized charges. We’ve collected documents and will send a full report to the commissioner.” Sub-Registrar Md. Hasanuzzaman claimed, “ACC didn’t show us anything specific. If they do, we will take action.”

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has said that the Election Commission (EC) is preparing for the upcoming national polls, targeting December for holding the election. The EC will announce its action plan by July. He stated that the commission plans to include all eligible voters who turn 18 before the official announcement. Law amendments may be required to facilitate this. Sarkar also mentioned planned consultations with political parties and law enforcement agencies in July and August to assess the feasibility of holding elections under current security conditions.

The Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, met with the commission investigating the BDR mutiny. He stressed the importance of uncovering the truth, stating, “The nation is looking to the commission for answers—we must succeed.” Commission head Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Alam Fazlur Rahman said the investigation is progressing, with the final report expected by June. He noted the challenge of tracking people involved in a 16-year-old case, including 23 individuals currently abroad. Eight of them have agreed to testify.

Legal adviser Asif Nazrul stated that the government is seriously considering BNP’s concerns and is committed to holding elections between December and June, as per the Chief Adviser’s promise. He stressed that elections will not be delayed beyond June and that BNP is genuinely invested in reforms. Referring to a positive meeting with BNP leaders, Nazrul dismissed allegations of government delay and reiterated the goal of conducting elections as early as possible within the declared timeframe.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has announced that a separate secretariat for the judiciary will be established soon. He stated that a thorough evaluation process is currently underway, including the review of several proposals. “Finalization is imminent,” he said, while noting that efforts are being made to address any constitutional hurdles. The Chief Justice also highlighted the infrastructural challenges faced by lawyers, especially female lawyers, and assured that these issues will be resolved soon. He called on lawyers and journalists to support the establishment of an independent judiciary.

A strong earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region early Wednesday morning. Initial estimates placed the magnitude at 6.4, later revised to 5.9 by India’s National Center for Seismology. The quake, with its epicenter 75 km below the surface, was felt in Delhi and surrounding NCR areas. No casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, Tajikistan experienced a separate 5.8 magnitude quake earlier in the day—its third significant quake in the past 48 hours.

A tragic incident occurred on the Cox’s Bazar-bound Prabal Express when a fire broke out near Lohagara. In panic, a couple jumped from the moving train with their 8-month-old son, resulting in the child’s death. The injured parents—24-year-old Abdur Razzak and 18-year-old Liza Akter—are in critical condition. According to Station Master Didar Hossain, the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit and was extinguished within 15–20 minutes. However, the panic led to the fatal leap.

Responding to queries about the reported arrest warrant against British MP and former UK minister Tulip Siddiq, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of local Bangladeshi authorities. She emphasized that Bangladesh’s future must be determined by its people, noting the importance of elections and cautioning against decisions that could damage the lives of citizens. Bruce remarked, “For 20–25 years we’ve seen how bad choices can destroy lives. Now, many countries must decide which path they want to take.”

In the wake of a mass uprising, a court has ordered the seizure of shares worth Tk 17,000 crore belonging to the family of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 major industrial groups. Additionally, Tk 4,000 crore from various bank accounts has been frozen and travel bans imposed on 84 individuals. The task force—led by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur—is investigating financial activities of groups including S. Alam, Beximco, Nabil, Summit, Orion, Gemcon, Nasa, Sikder, Aramit, and others. Some company heads have reportedly renounced their Bangladeshi citizenship. The task force is moving swiftly to recover illicit funds.

Md. Zobaidur Rahman Jony, founder of ‘Medico,’ has alleged that on August 2, 2023, plainclothes CID officer Jewel Chakma and several other officers forcibly entered his apartment without allowing his wife to wear her hijab. He claims he was abducted, beaten, and pictures of the assault were sent to his wife. Jony alleges the then-CID chief threatened him with crossfire if he didn’t pay Tk 5 crore. His family was later forced to sell property and paid Tk 4 crore in installments through CID officials. Jony denies allegations of exam paper leaks and has filed a case on April 15 against Jewel Chakma (now Additional SP, RAB-14), former CID chief Mohammad Ali Mia, SI Mehedi Hasan, SI Atikur Rahman, and several unidentified individuals.

Indian law enforcement arrested 24 Bangladeshi nationals—including 11 women and 4 children—from a village in the Chilmarie forest area of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. None of them had valid travel documents. During interrogation, they admitted to entering India via coastal routes.

A Chattogram court has ordered that 11 accused in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif be shown arrested in a separate explosives case. The accused include Premanandan Dash Buja, Ranob Dash, and others aged between 19 and 55. They were initially arrested on January 26 from Sebok Colony in Kotwali.

Two 800 MW units at Adani’s coal-based power plant in Godda, Jharkhand, have resumed operations following a shutdown due to technical issues. One unit restarted on Saturday and the second on Tuesday evening. The plant supplies up to 1,400 MW to Bangladesh. This follows disputes between the Adani Group and Bangladesh’s new government over pricing, and a controversial power import agreement signed during the previous administration.

According to ISPR, the Bangladesh Navy vessel BNS Somudra Avijan has returned from Myanmar after delivering 120 tons of relief materials. The ship also repatriated 20 Bangladeshi citizens who had been trafficked and detained in Myanmar for nearly two years. They were promised jobs and migration to developed countries by trafficking rings.

In a late-night heist in Dohar, Dhaka, a gang of 8–10 robbers broke into businessman Md. Shahjahan’s home, stealing approximately 33 bhori of gold and BDT 200,000 in cash. The robbers entered by breaking the ground-floor gate and threatened Shahjahan’s wife at knifepoint to hand over her jewelry. They tied up the family, looted multiple rooms, and destroyed furniture. CCTV DVRs were also taken by the gang.