Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has sparked debate by suggesting that mental health checks be made mandatory for anyone assuming the role of Bangladesh’s head of government.

In a Facebook post, Farooki shared his reaction after rewatching the documentary “Pilkhana: Thirty-Six Hours of Betrayal.” He expressed horror at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s conversations during the 2009 BDR mutiny, accusing her of betrayal by failing to send aid to trapped officers.

“This raises the question—was her pathological hatred toward the army at play?” Farooki wrote. “Seeing this, I believe any future head of government must undergo mental health screening.”

The interim government released the documentary on Monday, reigniting debate over the Pilkhana massacre.

Caretaker Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus held discussions on Tuesday with representatives of seven political parties and one organization.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters after the meeting that Dr. Yunus reaffirmed elections would be held within the announced timeframe, promising the “fairest and most festive election in Bangladesh’s history.”

He confirmed that the issue of Jatiya Party was raised, with different parties offering varied opinions. Discussions also touched on proportional representation (PR) systems, with the Election Commission expected to brief the media.

A delegation from ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), comprising current and former lawmakers from ASEAN nations, visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday.

The eight-member team, led by Santiago, held meetings with camp officials, the Rohingya Consultative Council, and community leaders.

Rohingya Council President Syedullah said discussions focused on the release of detained Rohingya in Malaysia and elsewhere, safe repatriation, and boosting international cooperation.

The delegation later toured the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre at Camp 18 and met with women and youth representatives.

Police have revealed shocking details in the murder of Dr. A.H.M. Amirul Islam in Natore, linking the crime to a love triangle involving a hospital nurse, Amirul, and his personal assistant Asad.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Amzad Hossain said Asad, disguised in a burqa, hid under Amirul’s bed before fatally stabbing him while he slept.

During interrogation, Asad confessed, citing longstanding disputes over their relationship with the nurse. He also claimed Amirul had beaten him and the woman, and eventually fired him. Originally, Asad planned to cripple Amirul but ended up killing him.

Police have recovered the murder weapon.

In a major move to strengthen the judiciary, the Supreme Court has approved the creation of 232 new judge posts across Bangladesh.

The decision was made unanimously in a meeting on Tuesday under the direction of the Chief Justice.

The posts include:

72 judges for Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunals,

65 judges for Family Appeal Courts,

54 judges for Land Survey Appeal Tribunals,

41 judges for Land Survey Tribunals.

The law and justice division has also been advised to immediately appoint support staff and provide necessary equipment for these positions.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has ordered that Nurul Haque Nur, who sustained serious injuries in a recent attack, be sent abroad immediately for advanced medical treatment.

The directive came on Tuesday after Nur’s wife, Maria Akter, met with the Chief Adviser at Jamuna. During the meeting, Maria broke down in tears while describing her husband’s condition: “He has suffered brain hemorrhage, a broken nose, and injuries to his jaw and spine. He urgently needs treatment abroad.”

Yunus expressed shock over the incident and assured full government support for Nur’s recovery. “We are taking every necessary step to ensure his proper treatment. A judicial inquiry is already underway,” he said.

Meanwhile, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that a one-member judicial probe committee, headed by Justice Ali Reza, has been formed. The official gazette will be published tomorrow, and the committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days.

Education Adviser C.R. Abrar has expressed deep concern over the ongoing stalemate in the country’s educational institutions, calling the situation “unfortunate” and “undesirable.”

“The ministry is worried, but these issues can and will be resolved through dialogue,” Abrar said, assuring that the government is actively monitoring developments.

He emphasized that recent unrest across several universities has severely disrupted academic activities — something no one wants. “All problems will be addressed in the shortest possible time. The Education Ministry is fully committed to extending every form of support needed,” Abrar added.

Over 100,000 people in Sudan have been infected with cholera in the past year, as the country faces its largest hunger crisis. The outbreak, described as the worst in recent years, has claimed at least 2,561 lives since August 2024. The cholera surge coincides with ongoing conflict between the military and Rapid Support Forces, which has killed over 20,000 people and displaced 14 million. Humanitarian agencies warn urgent aid is needed to prevent further catastrophe.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has slightly reduced the retail price of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas.

For September, a 12-kg LPG cylinder will cost Tk 1,270, down by Tk 3 from Tk 1,273. The price of autogas has also been reduced by Tk 0.13 to Tk 58.15 per liter.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam has said that whether former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun receives clemency will be determined by the court, not the prosecution.

He revealed that Mamun admitted his crimes out of “conscience” and even applied to testify as a state witness. His testimony, Tazul said, is an irrefutable document against enforced disappearances and killings spanning the last 15 years in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Mamun gave statements before the tribunal implicating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others in the July killings case.

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) lifted a six-hour-long rail blockade on Tuesday evening after receiving assurances from the university administration. Train services on the Dhaka–Mymensingh route resumed around 5 p.m.

Earlier in the day, at around 11 a.m., defying the order to vacate dormitories, students gathered at Jabbar’s Mor and blocked the railway tracks, halting train operations. They also locked the offices of the university treasurer and Pubali Bank’s campus branch in protest.

In response to the unrest, the BAU administration has formed a six-member inquiry committee to investigate the recent attacks on students.

Police have so far filed charge sheets in 34 cases linked to incidents during the July uprising across the country. These include 13 murder cases and 21 under other charges.

According to police headquarters, the murder cases were filed in Sherpur, Feni, Chandpur, Cumilla, Dhaka, and Kurigram, while the remaining 21 cases cover Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Sirajganj, Pabna, Naogaon, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, and multiple metropolitan areas.

In total, 1,390 individuals stand accused in the murder cases and 777 in other cases. Police said they are working to complete investigations into the remaining cases to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Appellate Division will tomorrow hear Dhaka University’s appeal against the High Court order postponing the DUCSU elections.

On Tuesday, Chamber Judge Justice Farah Mahbub upheld the stay order until Wednesday’s hearing. The High Court had earlier postponed the polls until October 30, but the chamber court suspended that order within an hour of DU’s appeal.

Environmental lawyer and adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has stressed that combating the climate crisis requires not just financial but also technological assistance.

“International support is crucial for climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. However, even if aid does not come, we must fight on—for this is about our survival,” she said.

Hasan urged that, in absence of external help, Bangladesh must rely on the traditional knowledge of farmers, fishermen, and rural communities. She pointed to community-driven solutions in coastal regions, such as affordable desalination for water supply, while warning that long-term issues like Bhobadah and Beel Dakatia require sustained international intervention.

She added, “The people of Bangladesh have never abandoned one another in times of disaster. We have always seen extraordinary unity in the face of crises.”

Defying hall eviction orders for the second day, students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) continued their protests, blocking the Dhaka–Mymensingh rail route indefinitely from 11 a.m. today. Rail services have since been suspended.

The agitating students locked the university treasurer’s office and Pubali Bank branch gate while pressing their six-point demand. Their demands include:

Withdrawal of eviction orders by 2 p.m.

Uninterrupted access to dormitory facilities

Resignation of the proctorial body within 24 hours

A public apology from the vice chancellor over recent attacks, vandalism, and harassment

Punishment of teachers and outsiders involved in violence

Immediate issuance of combined degree certificates