Police have arrested five individuals in Laksam for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old woman inside an abandoned house belonging to an Awami League leader. The suspects include Mohammad Ali (25), Masud (23), Monir Hossain Hridoy (23), Al Amin (23), and Bilkis Akter Kalpana (40). Four of them directly took part in the assault, while Bilkis allegedly facilitated the crime by providing her residence for the act.

A tragic accident occurred in Ullapara, Sirajganj, on Monday when schoolgirl Ritu Khatun was struck by a train. Locals reported that Ritu, who had been living with her aunt after losing both parents, was a student of Ullapara Merchants Pilot High School. It is suspected that she deliberately lay on the railway tracks before a freight train from Rajshahi to Dhaka ran over her at Charghatina rail crossing, severing her head from her body.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has issued an apology after facing widespread criticism for suggesting that the word “rape” be replaced with terms like “violence against women” or “harassment.” His remarks drew condemnation from various quarters, including the Chief Adviser’s Office and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). In his statement, the commissioner clarified, “During discussions on violence against women and children, I referred to rape as a broader form of violence. If my remarks offended anyone, I sincerely apologize.”

As part of preparations for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with heads of missions from 19 OIC countries. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, along with three election commissioners and the EC secretary, were present. The meeting aimed to update OIC nations on election readiness and seek their cooperation.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the VAT return submission deadline for this month to March 18 due to technical issues. Typically, the deadline is the 16th of every month. The NBR informed customs and VAT offices of this decision on Sunday. Currently, around 325,000 VAT-registered businesses file returns online, while 23% still submit hard copies.

An MRT police sub-inspector and another officer were suspended on Monday for assaulting four DMTC workers. Additionally, a three-member inquiry committee has been formed. Following this decision, metro rail workers withdrew their strike. Authorities assured that swift action would be taken to meet their demands.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that police officers are frontline defenders of law and order, and neglecting them will hinder national progress. He emphasized that without security, no development plan can succeed. While acknowledging past issues within the police force, he called for their active role in building a ‘New Bangladesh.’ He also urged citizens not to waste the opportunity presented by the July Movement for national reconstruction.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Arshad (22) to life in prison for raping a 7-year-old girl in Abdullahpur 11 years ago. He was also fined Tk 100,000, with an additional one-year imprisonment if unpaid. The court ordered that the fine be recovered from his assets and given to the victim’s family.

DIG Gazi Jasim Uddin has taken charge as the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID confirmed that Jasim assumed the role on Sunday. Previously, on March 9, CID’s former chief Additional IGP Motiur Rahman Sheikh was transferred to the police headquarters. Jasim will serve as acting CID chief until a permanent appointment is made.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with police officials on Monday at 11:15 AM to discuss the country’s law and order situation. His deputy press secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar, stated on Sunday that public concerns over security issues prompted the meeting. A total of 127 senior police officers from across the country attended.

Israel announced the arrival of three new F-35 fighter jets at the Nevatim Airbase, bringing its total to 42 out of the 50 it has ordered from the U.S. Although these jets arrived last week, the announcement was made on Sunday as part of a long-term agreement to expand Israel’s F-35 fleet from 25 to 50 aircraft. Three more jets are expected to be delivered within the next two months.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar on Sunday night. Bar still has 18 months left in his tenure and is currently leading the ‘Qatargate’ corruption investigation, where several of Netanyahu’s top aides are accused of receiving funds from Qatar. It remains uncertain whether Netanyahu can legally dismiss him, as Israel’s Attorney General or the Supreme Court may rule that removing Bar during the investigation constitutes a conflict of interest.

Workers of Lumen Textile in Telipara, Gazipur, blocked the highway on Monday, protesting the delayed payment of their February salaries. This caused a massive traffic jam on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. Meanwhile, in Tongi, workers demonstrated after two garment factories were shut down. The military intervened to clear the roads and restore traffic. Workers complained that salary payments are often delayed, and although wages were due on Sunday, they were not paid.

Police conducted a raid at the residence of former Additional Attorney General Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury in Cumilla. The search, led by a magistrate, found nothing except furniture. Local sources reported that a magistrate arrived at the house with several police vehicles before Iftar. As the main gate was locked, Executive Magistrate Shahin Akhter Shipa supervised police entry. Officers searched the second floor, breaking into a cupboard, but no illegal items were found.

Metro rail employees announced a strike after four DMTC workers were allegedly assaulted by MRT police officers. On Sunday night, they presented six demands, stating they would not operate the metro until their demands were met. However, authorities decided to keep the service running to minimize passenger inconvenience. With ticket counters empty, passengers are traveling without tickets. The workers' demands include justice for the assaulted employees, forming their own armed security force, abolishing the MRT police, ensuring 100% security, and restricting access to paid zones to only authorized personnel.