In Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur, large-scale illegal occupation of Bangladesh Railway land has resumed in several areas including Purba Chandra, Matikata, and Bottola. Local sources said that after an eviction drive by railway authorities on August 5, influential groups have again taken over the land and built more than a hundred new tin-shed houses along the railway tracks. Field visits revealed around 200 newly built rooms, with several individuals named as owners. Some houses are already occupied, and construction continues under the supervision of a local figure known as Refaz Doctor.

Residents allege that 20 to 22 people are involved in this land-grabbing activity, posing risks to both public property and railway safety. Railway Assistant Executive Engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique confirmed that a complaint has been filed with the police and that eviction operations will begin soon. Kaliakair Upazila Nirbahi Officer AHM Fakhrul Hossain stated that no construction is permitted on railway land and that coordinated action will be taken to remove illegal structures and prosecute those responsible.

Authorities have pledged swift action to reclaim the land and ensure the safety of railway operations.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police arrested Nur Alam, the removed and fugitive chairman of Kalyani Union Parishad in Pirgacha upazila, during a raid in the Mahiganj area on Monday night. Alam, aged 56, is known as a close associate and protégé of former commerce minister Tipu Munshi. Police said he faces multiple murder and attempted murder cases linked to anti-discrimination student protests. He is scheduled to be presented before court on Tuesday.

Following his arrest, residents of Kalyani Union expressed relief, with reports of people distributing sweets late at night. Locals accused Alam of ruling the area through fear for a decade under the former minister’s influence. Community leaders and victims alleged that he misused power to embezzle millions of taka, illegally sold government trees, and extorted money through fabricated cases and police harassment.

Local representatives described the arrest as a major political development in Pirgacha. Citizens urged the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Alam’s alleged decade-long corruption, land grabbing, and illicit wealth accumulation to ensure exemplary punishment.

A mobile court in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari fined the manager of Hossain Filling Station Tk 50,000 for providing less fuel than the standard measure. The penalty was imposed on Monday afternoon after it was found that the station was delivering 80 milliliters less per liter of fuel. The manager, identified as Arif Hossain, aged 28, was held responsible for the irregularity.

The mobile court was conducted by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Arifur Rahman. The action was taken as part of a local inspection drive to ensure fair trade practices at fuel stations. The court’s decision aimed to address consumer complaints and uphold measurement accuracy in fuel distribution.

Authorities indicated that such drives would continue to prevent similar malpractice and protect consumer rights in the region.

Five people, including three members of the same family, were killed in a road accident on the Sunamganj-Sylhet highway at Jalalpur in Chhatak upazila on Monday afternoon. The victims were identified as Yusuf Ali of Tior Jalal village in Tahirpur upazila, his daughters Nilufa Akter and Keya Moni, and his nephew-in-law Md. Shahab Uddin. The identity of the CNG driver, who also died, was not known. The collision occurred when a Rifat Paribahan bus traveling from Sylhet to Sunamganj suddenly changed lanes and hit the CNG-run autorickshaw coming from the opposite direction.

According to highway police, the autorickshaw was severely damaged and thrown off the road, while the bus overturned into a roadside ditch. Yusuf Ali and the CNG driver died on the spot, and the other three victims succumbed to their injuries later at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The bus driver fled immediately after the accident. Sunamganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Sujan Sarkar said the incident is under investigation and legal action will follow.

Traffic on the highway was briefly disrupted but later returned to normal, police confirmed.

Awami League leader Shamim Al Mamun has been sent to jail after surrendering before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Mirzapur, Tangail. On Monday morning, he appeared in court and applied for bail, which was denied by Judge Sagar Talukder, who ordered his imprisonment. Shamim, aged 46, is the son of deceased freedom fighter Abul Hossain from Postkamuri village and serves as the organizational secretary of Mirzapur Upazila Awami League and convener of the Upazila Jubo League.

According to police and court sources, Shamim is accused in multiple cases, including murder, linked to the July uprising in Mirzapur. The cases stem from an incident on August 4, 2024, when a college student named Imon was killed by police gunfire and another student, Himel, lost his eyesight. Separate cases were filed by Imon’s brother Suman and Himel’s mother Nasima Begum in the Tangail Senior Judicial Magistrate Court, naming Shamim as an accused.

After remaining in hiding for a long period, Shamim surrendered to the court, and the prosecution confirmed that his bail was rejected and he was sent to jail.

Several cleaners of the Narayanganj City Corporation were assaulted by street vendors on Monday afternoon in the Chashara area of Narayanganj city. The incident occurred in front of the Chashara Press Club when the cleaners arrived to clear the sidewalks as part of an eviction drive. Witnesses said a group of vendors attacked the cleaners, forcing them to flee the scene.

Earlier in the day, the vendors had staged protests in Chashara, marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, and submitted a memorandum before returning to the area. The clash erupted when cleaners tried to stop vendors from setting up stalls on the sidewalks, leading to a heated argument and subsequent assault.

Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan condemned the attack, calling it a disgraceful incident witnessed by city residents. He stated that legal action would be taken and reaffirmed that clearing the sidewalks was a public demand that would not be compromised.

Controversial businessman Ron Haque Sikder, accused in money laundering and corruption cases, died on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2:20 p.m. local time while undergoing treatment in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He had been staying in Thailand and the UAE for an extended period to avoid arrest. The information was shared by Al Jazeera investigative journalist Julkar Nain Sayer Khan through a verified Facebook post.

According to the post, Sikder passed away at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai after suffering from liver complications. Family sources cited in the post said he had been admitted to the hospital about a week earlier due to liver-related illness.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had earlier filed two separate charge sheets against Ron Haque Sikder, his brother Rick Haque Sikder, and 13 others in connection with money laundering and corruption allegations dating back to 2024.

In Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, police officials, a former officer, and witnesses were questioned on Monday at the office of the Superintendent of Police over allegations of harassment through a false case. Former police member Mosharraf, key witness Sajib, and accused officers including ASI Harun (Harun-2), Constable Mehedi, and ASI Parimal were interrogated as part of the investigation.

Mosharraf alleged that Sitakunda police misused their authority to falsely implicate and arrest him, despite repeated complaints to the officer-in-charge. He later filed a case in court and submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police. Witness Sajib stated that he had been coerced into giving false testimony but later revealed the truth in court, leading to Mosharraf’s bail. Police SI Harun confirmed that a judicial inquiry had been completed but its report was yet to be released.

Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmed Khan said the allegations were being investigated seriously and that appropriate legal action would be taken if the claims were proven true.

A Dhaka court has ordered a fresh three-day remand for former Member of Parliament and ex-DGFI Director General Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury for interrogation in the murder case of student activist Biplob Sheikh. The order was issued on Monday by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasib Ullah Piyash following a request from the investigation officer of Mirpur Model Police Station. The prosecution confirmed the court’s decision.

The investigation officer had sought a five-day remand, stating that preliminary findings indicated Masud Uddin’s involvement in the incident. Police said further questioning was necessary to uncover the full circumstances of the killing, verify the roles of other suspects, and identify unnamed individuals. The defense opposed the remand, citing the accused’s age, illness, and prior detention, and requested bail instead. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.

According to the case file, Biplob Sheikh was shot dead on July 19, 2024, during an anti-discrimination student rally in Mirpur. The victim’s father filed the murder case on July 1 of the following year. Masud Uddin was arrested on March 23 from Baridhara and has been remanded multiple times in related cases.

The Bangladesh Navy conducted a special operation on Monday morning based on confidential intelligence to seize illegal drugs and firearms. The operation took place at a brick kiln in Alikhali area of Hnila Union under Teknaf upazila. During the search, authorities discovered 5 kilograms of crystal meth (ice) and 100,000 yaba tablets buried underground. The seized narcotics have an estimated market value of around Tk 30 crore. Two foreign pistols, two magazines, and four rounds of live ammunition were also recovered.

In the same operation, naval personnel arrested Nurul Kabir, a fugitive accused in multiple drug and weapons cases. The recovered drugs, firearms, and ammunition, along with the detainee, were later handed over to Teknaf police for legal proceedings. The Bangladesh Navy stated that it continues to carry out regular operations to curb drug and arms smuggling in maritime and coastal areas.

The operation underscores the Navy’s ongoing role in national anti-smuggling efforts and coordination with local law enforcement agencies.

Members of Jamalpur 35 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 71 bottles of Indian liquor during an anti-drug operation near the Roumari Banglabazar border outpost on Sunday afternoon. The operation took place close to border pillar 1065 in the Charfulbari area. No arrests were made during the raid, and the seizure was later confirmed through a press release issued by the BGB.

According to BGB sources, the operation was conducted based on their own intelligence information. It is believed that the smugglers fled the scene after sensing the presence of the patrol team. The seized liquor was found abandoned at the site.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, commanding officer of Jamalpur 35 BGB, stated that regular patrols and anti-drug drives are ongoing along the border, emphasizing the force’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.

Multiple media outlets have reported allegations of extortion, irregularities, and abuse of power against A.H.M. Lutful Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Mongla River Police outpost in Bagerhat. Despite these reports, there has been little visible progress in the investigation, prompting concerns about its slow pace. Local residents claim that the situation on the ground remains unchanged even after repeated media coverage.

Local businessman Md. Rafiqul Islam said irregular money collection continues at the port area, causing hardship for small traders. River transport worker Alomgir Hossain added that workers face constant pressure while working at the dock, making their jobs increasingly difficult.

Inspector A.H.M. Lutful Kabir denied all allegations, calling them baseless and motivated, and stated that he performs his duties according to the law. He added that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face action. Khulna regional police superintendent Manjur Morshed confirmed that the matter is under investigation and departmental action will follow if the allegations are proven true.

Police arrested Gunaighar Uttar Union Parishad Chairman Mokbal Hossain Mukul from his office in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla on Monday morning. The arrest took place at the union council office following a police operation based on secret information.

According to police sources, Mukul was an accused in multiple murder cases linked to the July Movement and had been absconding for a long time. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officers conducted a raid and detained him from the office premises.

Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Moniruzzaman confirmed that two murder cases related to the July Movement are pending against the accused. Police said he will be produced before the Cumilla court.

A report published on May 4, 2026, highlights the rapid spread of online gambling across Bangladesh, affecting people from all social classes. Once confined to physical locations, gambling has now moved to smartphones and the internet, making it easily accessible. The report cites several recent violent crimes, including murders and suicides, linked to online gambling debts. It warns that this trend has evolved into a serious social crisis, drawing in youth and low-income groups through deceptive digital platforms.

The article explains that online gambling platforms use algorithms and psychological triggers to keep users engaged, creating addiction and financial ruin. Many platforms are fraudulent, preventing users from withdrawing money and exposing them to data theft. Despite gambling being illegal in Bangladesh, enforcement is difficult because most platforms operate from abroad using VPNs and encryption.

The report urges immediate, technology-driven action, including forming a specialized cyber unit equipped with artificial intelligence to detect and block gambling networks. It also calls for strict legal measures, awareness campaigns, and digital payment monitoring to curb the growing threat.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that a special operation is underway across Bangladesh targeting illegal arms, drugs, and extortion. He stated that identified top criminals will face investigation and legal action regardless of their status. The minister made the remarks on Monday, May 4, after the first meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management, and Law and Order concerning forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) at the Secretariat.

During the briefing, the minister also mentioned that the government is considering changing the police uniform following requests from the force, as the current design has not gained wide acceptance. The meeting discussed maintaining law and order inside and outside Rohingya camps, methods for joint operations, and overall management strategies.

He further noted that the latest parliamentary session was among the most successful in history, conducted in a friendly atmosphere without controversy, with constructive participation from both government and opposition parties.