India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant has expressed deep concern about a growing trend of judges delivering controversial or questionable rulings shortly before retirement. Speaking during a Supreme Court hearing on a suspended district judge from Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Justice described the pattern as an “unfortunate judicial tendency.” The bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, was reviewing the judge’s suspension, which followed two disputed orders issued days before his scheduled retirement.

The Chief Justice noted that such actions undermine public confidence in the judiciary and send a troubling message about judicial integrity. The bench questioned why the judge bypassed the High Court to appeal directly to the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Bipin Sanghi defended his client’s record, arguing that a judge should not face disciplinary action for appealable decisions unless motivated by bad faith.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court declined to admit the petition, directing the applicant to approach the High Court instead. The bench also criticized the use of Right to Information (RTI) requests to seek internal judicial details, calling formal representation the proper route.

Islamic Movement Bangladesh has accused the Election Commission (EC) of infringing on religious freedom by imposing restrictions on waz mahfils, traditional Islamic sermons held across the country during winter. In a statement released Thursday, the party’s joint secretary general and spokesperson, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, said such events are deeply rooted in Bangladeshi culture and banning them during the election period would be seen as an attack on religious rights.

Rahman argued that most preachers are non-political and focus solely on religious teachings. He warned that limiting these gatherings could create public resentment toward the government and the EC. The statement also noted that religious speakers often address issues like corruption and injustice, which should not be misinterpreted as political speech.

The party urged the EC to withdraw the restrictions, emphasizing that freedom of religious expression must be preserved even during election periods to maintain public trust and social harmony.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz has pledged to guarantee voter safety during Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, even if extreme measures are required. Speaking at a press briefing at the Chattogram Press Club, Aziz said the city will be placed under a comprehensive security plan to encourage voter turnout and prevent intimidation. He warned that police will not hesitate to act decisively against armed groups operating in the city.

Aziz identified several local gangs, including the Sajjad, Laltu, and Poltu groups, as threats to public security, asserting that no force other than the police will be allowed to operate. He noted that 80% of previously looted police weapons have been recovered, while the rest are believed to be in the hands of separatist groups in hill areas. Additional security will be deployed in minority and high-crime polling centers.

The commissioner also criticized past administrations for aligning state institutions, calling it a cause of authoritarian governance. He urged officers to remain firm yet polite, emphasizing that public confidence and safety are the true measures of police success.

The National Press Club of Bangladesh has temporarily suspended its Management Committee Election for the 2026–2027 term, originally scheduled for December 31. The Election Conducting Committee, chaired by S.A.M. Shawkat Hossain, announced the decision in a notice signed by all committee members on Thursday.

According to the notice, nearly all candidates for the president position and all but one for the general secretary position submitted written requests to postpone the election, citing unavoidable circumstances. Following discussions with the club’s management committee, the election body unanimously decided to suspend the vote until further notice.

The committee stated that the next steps and a new schedule will be announced in due course. The temporary suspension reflects internal consensus among candidates and organizers to ensure a fair and participatory process once conditions permit.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has formally requested the Ministry of Railways to arrange special trains or reserve additional carriages on seven major routes ahead of Acting Chairman Tareque Rahman’s scheduled return from the United Kingdom on December 25, 2025. The application, submitted by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, aims to facilitate travel for supporters expected to gather in Dhaka to welcome Rahman.

According to the BNP’s letter, the party anticipates a large influx of people from across the country and has pledged to pay the government-approved fares for the reserved trains. The proposed routes include Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka, Sylhet–Dhaka, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka, Tangail–Dhaka, Chapainawabganj–Rajshahi–Dhaka, Panchagarh–Nilphamari–Parbatipur–Dhaka, and Kurigram–Rangpur–Dhaka.

The Ministry of Railways has yet to respond to the request. Observers note that the move underscores the BNP’s efforts to mobilize nationwide participation in Rahman’s homecoming, which could have significant political and logistical implications for Dhaka’s transport and security management.

Police in Dhaka have recovered the body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from a privately owned women’s hostel in Jigatola. Authorities are investigating whether her death was a suicide or a homicide. Rumi had filed a general diary (GD) at Dhanmondi Police Station a month earlier, citing death and assault threats from social media accounts linked to activists of the banned Awami League. She reported being targeted for her political activities and expressed fears for her safety.

According to party colleagues, Rumi had been subjected to sustained cyberbullying and threats for nearly two months, which left her psychologically distressed. Despite her GD, police reportedly provided no effective protection. Family members stated that Rumi had been battling depression following two failed marriages and was under psychiatric care. Police confirmed that an unnatural death case has been filed, with the family attributing her death to mental health struggles.

The case has sparked debate over online harassment, political intimidation, and the adequacy of law enforcement response to threats against opposition figures.

More than 200 leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. The group, led by Burimari Union BNP adviser Rezwan Hossain and expelled Krishak Dal ward secretary Abdul Mannan, formally joined Jamaat at a gathering held at Hossain’s residence on Thursday afternoon. The event was attended by Jamaat’s Lalmonirhat-1 candidate Anwarul Islam Raju and several local Jamaat leaders.

Rezwan Hossain stated that he left the BNP after losing confidence in its activities, adding that his decision had prompted the local BNP unit to expel him the previous night. The Patgram BNP leadership confirmed his expulsion in a press release, citing violations of party discipline and damage to its image.

The mass defection highlights ongoing political realignments at the grassroots level ahead of national elections. Analysts suggest such shifts could influence local campaign dynamics, particularly in northern constituencies where both parties have strong organizational bases.

Student group Jatiya Chhatra Shakti staged a protest at Dhaka University on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The protest accused him of failing to arrest attackers involved in the assault on Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and of worsening public security. Demonstrators burned an effigy of the adviser and announced plans for a symbolic funeral prayer on Friday.

The rally began at Shahbagh and moved through the TSC and VC areas before concluding at the Raju Sculpture. During the gathering, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti president Zahid Ahsan sharply criticized the adviser, calling him unfit for his position and accusing him of irresponsibility. Protesters chanted slogans demanding Jahangir’s resignation and accountability.

The protest reflects growing frustration among student activists over law enforcement and political accountability. Organizers warned of further demonstrations if the adviser does not step down, signaling potential escalation of campus-based political unrest.

Leaders of the National Chhatra Shakti have threatened to stage a sit-in in front of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s residence if Home Adviser Jahangir Alam does not resign by Thursday night. The warning came during a protest rally at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, where demonstrators demanded Alam’s immediate removal, accusing him of incompetence and failure to ensure public security.

Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Hasan directly addressed Yunus, urging him to act swiftly to avoid further agitation. Protesters marched from Shahbagh to Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial Sculpture and back, chanting slogans and later burning an effigy of the home adviser. They argued that the interim government did not need a home adviser who lacked sensitivity to public issues.

The protest reflects growing frustration among youth activists over the interim administration’s handling of governance and security matters. Political observers note that such confrontations could intensify pressure on Yunus’s advisory council in the coming days.

Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a prominent activist in the July uprising, was found dead in her hostel room in Jigatola, Dhaka, on Thursday. Police recovered her hanging body after a domestic worker discovered the open door and alerted others. Rumi, known for her role in anti-discrimination protests and the movement that led to the fall of the Hasina government, was serving as the joint coordinator of NCP’s Dhanmondi branch.

Family members expressed deep sorrow and said Rumi had been staying alone that night, as her roommate was away. They suggested that she might have taken her own life due to depression but called on law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. NCP officials confirmed her political position and described her as a dedicated activist.

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death, and the incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Police said an autopsy report will determine whether foul play was involved.

Bogura district has become politically active following reports that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh ahead of the next national election. Workers have been renovating his long-abandoned residence on Riaz Kazi Lane, once a hub of northern political activity. The house, neglected since Rahman’s arrest and subsequent exile after the 2007 political crisis, is now being repaired under the supervision of former MP Helaluzzaman Talukder.

Local BNP sources suggest Rahman could contest from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, prompting the revival of his old political base. Around 20 laborers have been working daily for several days to restore the property, repainting walls and repairing gates. The district’s youth wing has already organized celebratory rallies, and a welcoming meeting is planned at the BNP office.

If Rahman’s return materializes, it could significantly energize BNP’s grassroots in northern Bangladesh ahead of the election, reshaping local campaign dynamics and signaling a more direct leadership role for him after years abroad.

The Bangladeshi government has dispatched a senior foreign ministry official to Singapore to oversee the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July uprising and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha. Hadi remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital, where doctors are preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem. The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with Dr. Yunus to monitor Hadi’s condition. Hadi’s two brothers are currently by his side, and another family member is en route to Singapore. Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and severe infection before his transfer.

Officials say the dispatched diplomat will coordinate between Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and the Singaporean government to ensure timely medical and administrative decisions as the situation remains highly critical.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced that international election observers and foreign media must submit applications by January 17, 2025, to monitor the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and accompanying referendum scheduled for February 12. The directive, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, confirms that voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on election day.

The EC stated that it is committed to holding a free, fair, credible, and participatory election. To ensure transparency, all electoral processes will remain open to both domestic and international observers. The commission has invited observer organizations and foreign journalists from around the world to coordinate with local monitors under the International Observer and Foreign Media Policy 2025.

Officials emphasized that interested parties must comply with policy clauses 2.3 through 3.1 when applying. The EC’s Public Relations Director, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, has been designated as the contact point for inquiries. The move is seen as part of Bangladesh’s effort to enhance global confidence in its electoral process.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy police forces at the offices of returning and assistant returning officers nationwide. The move aims to strengthen security ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum scheduled for February 2025. The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, follows the official announcement of the election schedule on December 11.

According to the EC letter, these offices store critical election materials, documents, and equipment, making them sensitive sites requiring enhanced protection. The commission emphasized that ensuring the safety of election officials and safeguarding electoral assets are essential to maintaining law and order during the election period. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked to ensure sufficient police presence at all relevant locations.

Observers note that the EC’s proactive step reflects growing concerns over potential unrest during the election period. The deployment is expected to reassure stakeholders and help preserve public confidence in the electoral process.

The Government of Bangladesh has finally issued an official gazette appointing 673 candidates from the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, held in 2005. The appointments, approved by the Ministry of Public Administration following recommendations from the Public Service Commission (PSC), will place the candidates in various cadres under the National Pay Scale 2015, with salaries ranging from BDT 22,000 to 53,060.

According to the notification, appointees must complete foundational training at the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre or another government-approved institution, followed by specialized training relevant to their assigned posts. Each will serve a two-year probationary period, extendable by up to two years. The order also stipulates that those resigning within three years of confirmation must repay all training-related expenses and allowances.

The government clarified that the appointments will take effect retroactively from the date of the first 27th BCS appointment to preserve seniority, though no arrears or financial benefits will be provided. The move ends a long-standing administrative backlog, offering long-awaited relief to candidates who had been waiting nearly 20 years for recruitment.