In a controversial move, Tamanna Sharmin, wife of accused terrorist Sajjad, was granted anticipatory bail despite being 463rd on the hearing list. Journalist Zulkarnaine Sayer alleged that she bypassed over 300 applicants by bribing court officials. The bail was granted by a High Court bench led by Justices Mahbub-ul-Alam and Hamidur Rahman, who have also faced allegations of fast-tracking bail for ruling party members.

A joint force comprising the military, police, RAB, and city authorities carried out a two-day anti-middleman operation at the National Orthopedic Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Ten individuals involved in extortion, admission scams, and illegal patient referrals were arrested, and over 100 illegal structures were removed. Several were fined and sentenced through mobile courts.

Two individuals were killed and one injured in a mob beating incident in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar area. The deceased, Nadim (35) and Masud (29), were reportedly criminals with multiple cases filed against them. Police say they had come to intimidate a plaintiff in an ongoing case when locals apprehended and beat them. All three were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where two were declared dead.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with attacks on businesses during recent anti-Israel protests in Chattogram. Police filed four cases in Kotwali, Khulshi, Chawkbazar, and Panchlaish police stations. According to CMP Additional Commissioner Mahmudah Begum, protests turned violent, resulting in damage to restaurants, clothing stores, and other establishments. CCTV and video footage are being used to identify additional suspects.

Noted environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan has voiced serious concerns over repeated thefts of rare wildlife from the Bangabandhu Safari Park in Sripur. Following last month’s lemur theft incident, she called for a more robust investigative team, including wildlife crime specialists. She urged strict punitive actions against the culprits and recommended installing CCTV in all enclosures holding rare species. Hasan visited several park sections, including the African Safari and bird enclosures.

A fresh case has been filed in connection with the recent attack and looting of business establishments in Sylhet, naming 800 accused. Police have already arrested 21 individuals and pledged to bring all responsible to justice. In protest, local business owners formed a human chain at Court Point, condemning the violence. They urged legal action against those exploiting pro-Palestinian sentiments to justify attacks, and called for a ban on Israeli products in Sylhet markets.

Joining the BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting virtually from Kathmandu, Agriculture Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation to ensure food and nutrition security across the region.

He said agriculture, livestock, and fisheries are not only economic sectors but also vital to livelihood and rural development. Emphasizing climate change and resource inequality as key challenges, he called for collaborative research and sustainable cooperation, expressing Bangladesh’s willingness to lead initiatives on climate resilience and fisheries management.

Thinker and poet Farhad Mazhar said that revolutions break laws to create new systems, laws, and cultures—but Bangladesh did the opposite.

“We sacrificed lives, and then handed power back to Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Even though she is no longer here, her ghost—the constitution she authored—still governs us. It is a fascist constitution,” he said during a discussion.

Following Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs on all countries except China, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude in a Facebook post.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for responding positively to our request to suspend tariffs for 90 days. We remain committed to supporting your trade policies and look forward to working with your administration,” he wrote.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to visit Qatar on April 21 to participate as a speaker in the upcoming Earthna Summit in Doha from April 22–23.

Other key speakers at the summit include UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Thiaw, IRENA Deputy Director Gauri Singh, and IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar. The summit will focus on climate adaptation strategies for arid and hot climate nations.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar reaffirmed that the upcoming national parliamentary elections remain the primary focus of the Election Commission.

He mentioned that local elections could still be held if there is political consensus and a government decision. “We are targeting December for the national election. Voter list updates are nearing completion and will conclude by April 11,” he added.

He also stated that a party’s decision to participate in elections is entirely political, and the process for party registration will proceed as before. “It’s too early to finalize which symbols will appear on the ballot—time will determine that. Interestingly, this time female voters outnumber male voters.”

In a cabinet division notification, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative for Rohingya Affairs to the Chief Adviser, has been concurrently appointed as the National Security Adviser. His new title will be “National Security Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Affairs.”

Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Rahman said, “I’m deeply grateful for the continued trust of the Honorable Chief Adviser. I fully understand the gravity of this responsibility and will do my utmost to uphold and advance our national interests.”

Violent protests erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday over proposed changes to the Wakf law, with several Muslim organizations taking to the streets. Following the unrest, authorities have imposed restrictions on gatherings of more than five people in two police station areas and suspended internet services to prevent further escalation.

The protests, which continued into the night, saw police vehicles set ablaze and several shops and residential buildings vandalized. Protesters hurled stones at law enforcement, prompting the police to fire multiple rounds of tear gas.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the situation, saying, “I understand the concerns of the minority community regarding Wakf property. But please have faith—nothing will happen in Bengal that could lead to division. We must live together in harmony. Didi will protect you and your property. Do not fall for provocations.”

Six individuals were arrested by the army during a raid on a house in Adabor, Dhaka. The suspects—members of the ‘Kobji Kata Anwar’ gang—were found with two hand grenades, 16 machetes, two samurai swords, two Chinese axes, three knives, and a large cleaver. They allegedly gathered at a house in Shyamoli Housing before committing robberies and assaults.

The government has amended the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Rules, 2009, allowing both manual and online registration. Required signatories can now digitally sign or provide fingerprints for online registration. Legal barriers to implementing the online system have been resolved, and software development is underway.