Tensions flared at Dhanmondi 32 on Thursday evening when three individuals, suspected of supporting a banned organization, were detained by curious onlookers and handed over to police. Witnesses say the suspects were beaten before being taken into custody.
With August 15 approaching, security has been tightened in and around Dhanmondi 32 to prevent any untoward incidents. Ramna Division DC Masud Alam confirmed that barricades were placed at entry points from the afternoon, restricting vehicle and pedestrian movement. Additional police forces have been deployed, and authorities say legal action will be taken after verification.

Audio recordings from Patiya police reveal SI Hanan threatening a teenager’s mother, warning her to bring her son to the station within an hour or be forcibly taken. The officer stated that a GD (General Diary) had been filed against her son for allegedly threatening someone. The mother, Shahina Akter, claims the officer may have filed the GD intentionally to protect a favored party and subsequently threatened her via phone. Patiya OC Mohammad Nuruzzaman acknowledged the behavior as a violation of police conduct, noting that he had no knowledge of the GD filing.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz has instructed officers to open fire instantly if anyone draws a weapon—whether a firearm or a sharp blade—before an attack occurs.

The directive, issued via wireless communication on Tuesday night, followed an incident in Ishaan Mistry Ghat where SI Abu Saeed Rana was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Awami League members. Despite being armed with shotguns, two constables present at the scene did not use them.

Commissioner Aziz stressed that reliance on rubber bullets is insufficient, urging full use of government-issued ammunition. Citing sections 96 to 106 of the Penal Code, he emphasized that police officers have the legal right to self-defense, stating:
"Shoot the moment a weapon is drawn—aim for the head, chest, or back if necessary. Ensure optimal use of government bullets."

Palestinian Ambassador Yusuf Ramadan has announced that Palestinian students will no longer study at universities funded by Israel or its allied nations. He alleged that even the architectural design of the Asian University for Women was done by an Israeli national, prompting the decision to boycott the institution.

According to the ambassador, the interim government has revoked visas for the concerned university at Palestine’s request. He also revealed that the previous Education Minister, Dr. Dipu Moni, had initiated a project to enroll Palestinian women in the Asian University for Women. Ambassador Yusuf expressed gratitude to the current administration for withdrawing from that initiative.

A lighter vessel named Chandtara-8, carrying 18,500 bags of cement, sank in the Meghna River near Chandpur’s Dokanghar area early Thursday.

The ship’s master, Mamun Sheikh, said the vessel had been anchored overnight alongside another ship, Jaman. As both set off around 4:30 a.m., strong currents caused a collision, tipping Chandtara-8 and sending it under with its cargo. All eight crew members were rescued by local fishermen. BIWTA has been informed and will conduct a salvage operation, police said.

The Election Commission will unveil the roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Election next week, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed.

While the content and methodology of the roadmap remain under discussion, Ahmed noted that talks are ongoing about facilitating expatriate voting. So far, 318 applications to observe the election have been received, which are currently being vetted.

Two construction workers died and two others were injured while cleaning a septic tank in Pabna’s Bera upazila on Thursday.

The deceased, Sajibul Islam (25) and Mostakin (30), fell unconscious after inhaling toxic gas inside a tank at Tahaj Uddin’s home in Dakshinpara village. Two other workers—Rabiul and Samrat—were similarly affected while attempting rescue. All four were taken to the upazila health complex, where doctors pronounced Sajib and Mostakin dead. Police confirmed that an unnatural death case will be filed.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed met with US Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson to discuss bilateral judicial cooperation, human rights protection, and the rule of law.

Jacobson congratulated Ahmed on completing his first year in office, praising initiatives such as announcing a judicial reform roadmap, issuing 12 directives for transparency in court services, passing a law for higher court judge appointments via the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council, and strengthening lower court capacity. She reaffirmed US commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s judicial independence.

Legal Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Reform Commission’s proposed laws will be enacted within one to two months.

The proposals, considered crucial for overhauling the ACC, were discussed in detail with ACC Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen earlier in the day. Nazrul stressed that the reforms are a priority for the interim administration.

The High Court has appointed seven amicus curiae to provide opinions on a rule regarding the 15th Amendment’s provision for the Speaker, rather than the Chief Justice, to administer the presidential oath.

The court has set October 26 as the next hearing date. The appointed senior lawyers are Zainul Abedin, Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Advocate Probir Neogi, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan, and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua.

This follows a writ petition filed on March 10 by lyricist Shahidullah Farazi, seeking restoration of the original 1972 constitutional provision requiring the Chief Justice to administer the presidential oath.

Sirajganj saw heightened student protests on Thursday as Rabindra University students blocked the highway at the western end of the Jamuna Bridge, pressing for the establishment of a permanent campus. The hour-long blockade ended after students issued a 72-hour ultimatum to authorities.

Students expressed frustration that, despite nine years since the university’s inception, no permanent campus has been built—depriving them of quality education facilities and essential amenities. They urged swift action to commence construction. Faculty members, administrative staff, and other employees joined in solidarity with the demonstrators.

The High Court has ordered submission of a list of individuals involved in looting white stone from Bholaganj, Sylhet, and directed that all stolen stones be returned to their original location within seven days.
The court also set Sunday for a hearing on another petition seeking legal action against those responsible and the deployment of additional law enforcement in the area to prevent further theft.

Rahat Hossain Rabbi (31) was stabbed to death on Thursday inside a Banani shisha bar. Police said the incident occurred on the second-floor stairway following an argument with a man identified as Khokon, who then attacked Rabbi with a knife.
Rabbi was taken to hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead. Investigators believe the attackers were known to him and were regular visitors to the bar. A manhunt is underway.

Tulip Siddiq, facing a corruption case over alleged plot irregularities filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, has described her trial in Dhaka as “nothing but a sham” driven by political vengeance. She said the charges have repeatedly changed over the past year, yet Bangladeshi authorities have never contacted her or her legal team, issued a court summons, or responded to formal communications.
“If this were a genuine legal process, the authorities would have engaged with us, responded to our letters, and presented evidence,” she argued. Instead, she said, false allegations have been leaked to the media but never formally shared with her. Tulip also revealed she had sought a meeting with Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus, but received no response.

A coordinated operation in Sylhet has so far recovered approximately 52,000 cubic feet of stolen stone, with recovery efforts ongoing at crusher mills. On Wednesday night, authorities seized around 40,000 cubic feet of stone from 78 trucks, and earlier in the day, another 12,000 cubic feet stockpiled near the Dholai River was dumped into the river.
The recovered stones will be redistributed in the Bholaganj Sada Pathar area. Police have arrested East Islambur Union Chairman Alamgir Alam in connection with the theft. Environmental activists and local traders estimate that over 15 million cubic feet of stone—worth more than Tk 200 crore—has been looted from Sylhet in the past year.