A Gaibandha court has ordered a case against lawyer Shefaul Islam Ripon for allegedly assisting hacker gang leader Palash Rana (25) in obtaining bail by falsifying documents to show him as a minor.

Court staff Salahuddin filed the complaint with Gaibandha Sadar Police. Officer-in-Charge Shahinul Islam Talukdar confirmed the written complaint had been received, pending some revisions before formal registration.

Ripon has denied the allegations, saying he will fight the case in court if filed.

On July 15, Rana and three others were arrested in a joint army-police operation for hacking into government allowances and embezzling millions.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that the national election scheduled for February 26 will be held in a festive atmosphere. However, he warned that groups opposed to the interim government will attempt to obstruct the process.

“Some signs of this are already visible. We must remain vigilant,” Yunus told reporters, according to his press secretary.

He pledged a better voting experience for all citizens—especially those who were previously deprived of their rights or faced intimidation. He also stressed the need to safeguard the election from foreign interference.

Yunus added that ensuring a peaceful environment during Durga Puja celebrations was a collective responsibility, warning that some groups may attempt to incite unrest.

Earlier, he held meetings with seven political parties and Hefazat-e-Islam.

Malaysian authorities have detained 770 undocumented migrants—including 377 Bangladeshis—in a special immigration raid in Kuala Lumpur.

Immigration Department official Basri Othman said the raid, code-named “Ops Belanja,” was carried out following local complaints. Migrants were detained for overstaying visas, lacking valid documents, and misusing permits.

The operation, launched Tuesday evening with 106 enforcement officers, checked 2,445 people, including 1,600 foreigners. Some migrants attempted to hide in shops or escape to rooftops but were eventually caught as the area was cordoned off.

The detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for screening before being moved to detention centers. Legal proceedings under immigration laws are ongoing.

The Election Commission (EC) has forwarded amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, including provisions for a “No” vote in uncontested constituencies, to the Law Ministry for vetting.

EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed said the ministry will review the changes before they are published as a gazette.

Key proposals include:

EC’s authority prevailing over government in case of disagreements

Senior officials, including police, placed under EC control 45 days before polls

Secret reports and disciplinary actions against officials violating EC directives

Runoff voting instead of lottery in case of a tie

Increasing candidate deposits to Tk 50,000

Allowing journalists during vote counting

Election expense monitoring committees

Parties required to publish financial reports online

Court cases to be settled before symbol allocation

Legal action for false affidavits even after polls

Penalties for filing false complaints

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.

Severe floods have hit Punjab after continuous rainfall in hilly areas caused the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to overflow. So far, 29 people have died and over 250,000 are affected across multiple districts. Over 1,000 villages are submerged, and tens of thousands are stranded or relocated to shelters. Agriculture and livestock have suffered major losses. Rescue operations by the army, NDRF, and police continue, but experts warn long-term planning is needed to prevent future climate-related disasters.

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.

The Taliban government has confirmed that the death toll from the powerful earthquake in Afghanistan has climbed to 1,411.

Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported that Kunar province suffered the worst devastation, with over 3,124 people injured and more than 5,400 homes destroyed. Rescue efforts remain hampered by landslides, collapsed roads, and communication blackouts in mountainous regions.

The UN has warned that the toll is likely to rise further as access to affected areas remains extremely limited.