The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has announced that victims of politically motivated cases filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, can now apply directly to the Solicitor at the Law and Justice Division for case withdrawal. This new provision is aimed at providing relief to those persecuted for political reasons.

The Appellate Division has stayed a High Court verdict that ordered the promotion of Craft Instructors to Junior Instructor posts. The stay came in response to an appeal filed by the Director General of the Technical Education Directorate. A full hearing is scheduled for May 18. The original High Court ruling had instructed that positions be created or reserved for Craft Instructors in upper-level posts and allowed promotions based on qualifications if no posts were available.

Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, after a coordination meeting with the Chief Adviser at Jamuna, assured that the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha will see minimal power outages and no traffic congestion. He praised officials for staying on duty during the previous Eid, ensuring smooth celebrations. He also noted that major issues at Sayedabad Bus Terminal had been resolved with the Environment Ministry’s help. The adviser termed the success a result of coordinated efforts.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam has claimed that evidence has been found linking deposed leader Sheikh Hasina and former military officer Ziaul Ahsan to nearly 200 cases of enforced disappearance. He said the investigation is in its final stages and includes data suggesting the accused used state power to commit violence against civilians. The probe has gathered victim testimonies, video footage, and drone surveillance as evidence of crimes against humanity.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 14 major projects worth Tk 24,247 crore, including infrastructure development for the Bay Terminal in Chattogram. Chief Adviser chaired the meeting, and Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed the press, stating that since Chattogram Port is a river port, the country needs a proper seaport to boost economic growth. The Bay Terminal will be a mega project with four terminals, one of which will be implemented through a PPP model. Other approved projects include a multi-sector Rohingya crisis response plan, urban sewage development in Chattogram, and technical support for a green railway system.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has called for a grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 3. Leader Maulana Mamunul Haque demanded the withdrawal of false cases against their activists during the past authoritarian regime, particularly those related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown. They also called for the cancellation of the Women Reform Commission’s recommendations and proposed changes to Islamic inheritance and family laws. He warned of larger protests if demands are not met. In addition, Hefazat will hold nationwide demonstrations on April 25 after Friday prayers, protesting India’s Waqf laws and Israel’s ongoing aggression in Palestine.

Former diplomat Mohammad Sufiur Rahman has been appointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, with the rank equivalent to a State Minister. Prior to his retirement, Sufiur served as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN office in Geneva. According to a report by Kalbela, he had previously harassed current adviser Adilur Rahman at the UN, when Adilur was allegedly there to speak against the Awami League government.

Students from various polytechnic institutes have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to fulfill their six-point demand. Failing that, they plan to march towards Dhaka. Earlier, the students held a mass rally in front of Dhaka Women Polytechnic, protesting the annulment of the High Court’s ruling on promoting Craft Instructors to Junior Instructor posts, renaming of designations, and the permanent dismissal of all employees involved in legal disputes. The rally also condemned recent attacks on students in Comilla.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan Mansur, speaking in New York, announced that no new banks will be approved on political grounds. He stated that the country can function without IMF loans and that bank mergers are being discussed with IMF due to the unprecedented nature of merging seven or eight banks simultaneously. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to recover laundered money and stressed IMF’s involvement in supporting Bangladesh’s technological development.

Polytechnic students began a grand rally at Agargaon to demand the fulfillment of six key demands and to protest recent attacks on students in Comilla. Protesters carried placards with slogans like “I am a diploma engineer, who are you?” and “Tools of terror, rise again.” Their demands include cancellation of promotion quotas, reversal of promotion orders, designation changes, termination of lawsuit-linked personnel, cancellation of 2021 recruitments, and immediate amendment of controversial recruitment rules.

A murder case has been filed against eight individuals—including PrimeAsia students and outsiders—by Humayun Kabir, brother of Zahidul Islam Parvez (23), a student who was killed. An additional 20–30 unidentified individuals have also been named. Police are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and apprehend those involved. PUSAB, a platform of private university students, has demanded justice and swift arrests in the case.

Workers of Tusuka Group, based in Konabari, Gazipur, are staging protests and work stoppages demanding compliance with BGMEA’s wage structure. Their demands include: no layoffs, full Eid holidays without general leave deductions, annual picnic arrangements, end to nepotism, holiday pay based on joining date, and full payment of pending dues within this month. Although factory authorities issued a notice supporting these demands, the workers have not ended their protest.

The government’s legal adviser has called on the judiciary to do its utmost to serve justice, even within the limitations they face. “Judges have no room for wrongdoing or bias. Performing duties is not conditional upon privileges. They must fulfill their responsibilities even in the absence of convenience,” he said.
Acknowledging the judiciary’s own structural limitations, he emphasized the need to make the legal system more accessible and efficient.
He also referred to the case of 17-year-old Hasnatul Islam Faiyaz, who was arrested during the quota reform protests. He stated that the Ministry of Law had urged a swift investigation. “If the investigation is not concluded, the ministry has limited recourse,” he added.
The case includes confessional statements under Section 164 from two individuals, and questions remain as to why those statements have not been withdrawn after eight months. The adviser clarified that Faiyaz’s brother was not given any assurance but was kept informed of the legal process.

Thousands across the U.S. took to the streets on Saturday in major cities including Washington D.C., New York, and Chicago to protest against former President Donald Trump. Demonstrators opposed his stance on immigration, public sector job cuts, and policies on Gaza and Ukraine. Protesters chanted slogans like “Free Palestine,” while others waved Ukrainian flags and called on Washington to take a tougher stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has called for a prolonged movement to repeal the Wakf Amendment Act 2025, comparing the struggle to the farmers’ protest. Addressing Prime Minister Modi, he said, “He is not even worthy of the dust under Babasaheb Ambedkar’s feet.”
Owaisi claimed that within just one month of the law coming into effect, over 500 Wakf properties in Uttar Pradesh had already been declared as government property. “This is just the beginning,” he warned.
He argued that this amendment is part of a broader pattern of unconstitutional measures being imposed on the Muslim community, citing examples like the triple talaq law, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the expansion of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and now, the push for a Uniform Civil Code.