The scheduled hearing on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's appeal against a High Court verdict declaring its registration illegal did not take place. The case was on Tuesday’s cause list in the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed. However, due to the prolonged hearing of another appeal involving ATM Azhar, the Jamaat case was postponed. Lawyers say the hearing will be rescheduled once the case is back on the docket.

Controversial Awami League youth leader M Shahadat Hossain Taslim, accused of profiteering during his tenure as the former president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), is reportedly still controlling this year’s Hajj flight operations. Under his influence, Taslim allegedly embezzled hundreds of crores over six years, operating through his own travel agency, “Dynasty Travels.” He allegedly secured the General Sales Agent (GSA) position for Saudi Arabia’s private airline Flynas and overcharged pilgrims while offering substandard services. Reports claim he bypassed Flynas’s official account, handling transactions through his own. Each pilgrim was reportedly charged over BDT 50,000 in commission. Taslim is currently in hiding amid allegations that he has once again secured the Flynas GSA by colluding with corrupt officials in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and through secret deals with Saudi counterparts.

Supporters welcoming BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia chanted slogans not only for her and Tarique Rahman but also for Tarique’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman. Her images were prominently displayed on banners and placards along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and outside the airport. Activists celebrated her return after 17 years in exile. Zubaida left Bangladesh for London with her husband on September 11, 2008, and had remained abroad since then, living with Tarique Rahman and their daughter, Zaima.

During a dialogue session with the National Consensus Commission, Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Consensus Party (NCP), presented a proposal outlining what the party considers “fundamental reforms.” He clarified that the term does not refer to changes in the electoral system or constitutional amendments based on a two-thirds majority. Instead, the focus is on establishing a balance of power, ensuring accountability, and decentralizing governance. Hossain emphasized the need to rid the state structure of authoritarian and fascist elements, depoliticize appointments to constitutional positions, and ensure an independent judiciary. He stated that the proposal submitted to the commission includes specific areas that require reform to realize these foundational changes.

Lawyer Shishir Monir informed the Appellate Division that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kader Molla was executed based on a summary judgment in his review petition. Monir argued that the verdict was rushed due to the impending January 5 general election in 2014. He said the ruling did not detail the reasons for dismissing the review, which is a deviation from legal standards. The statement was made during the hearing of another war crimes case involving ATM Azhar before a seven-member bench led by the Chief Justice.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul and senior party leaders welcomed Khaleda Zia at Dhaka Airport upon her return from London. She was accompanied in her vehicle by her daughters-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman. Supporters lined the airport road, cheering and expressing hope that Zia would once again lead the party and contribute to the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia returned to Bangladesh at 10:40 AM on Tuesday after receiving medical treatment in London for four months. She was received at the airport by senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Party supporters gathered in large numbers along the airport road, holding flowers, banners, and portraits of Zia, chanting slogans and welcoming their leader as her motorcade made its way to her residence in Gulshan.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir hailed the return of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia from London as a significant moment for the country. Speaking to reporters, he said her release and overseas treatment marked the end of a prolonged period of political persecution. “Her return will make the path to democracy smoother and help steer the nation toward justice and equality,” Fakhrul said, calling the day a joyous one for the nation.

Reports suggest that many recent protests have been orchestrated by leaders of the Awami League, allegedly incited directly by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She is said to be in contact with party members to destabilize the current government and hinder the electoral process. Intelligence reports claim over 5,500 firearms issued during the past 15 years remain unreturned, with many in the hands of banned student and youth wing members. Police have yet to recover thousands of looted weapons and rounds of ammunition. The IGP has stated that actions are underway against those involved.

Supporters of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Sena staged road blockades in Chattogram and nearby upazilas demanding justice for slain religious leader Imam Rais Uddin. The protests, held from 9 AM to 12 PM on Monday, turned violent in Muradpur as police used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Eyewitnesses reported that helmeted youths wielding homemade weapons joined the crackdown and attacked the protesters. At least 50 activists were reportedly injured, and police detained 10 individuals from the Soloshahar area.

The Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) claims that the government-initiated Women’s Reform Commission operates without political consensus and lacks inclusive representation. NCP argues that some of the Commission’s recommendations conflict with Bangladesh’s social and religious values, setting up a confrontation between state and society, and between religion and women. They urge for constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. The party also condemned public insults aimed at women during rallies against the commission’s proposals.

Screenshots circulating online reveal that several Chhatra Dal activists are planning attacks on Rajshahi University students they describe as part of the “Bot Bahini.” The messages, exchanged in a WhatsApp group named “RU Chhatra Dal,” involve leaders like Tushar Sheikh, expelled leader Ahsan Habib, and activist Hasibul Islam. The conversations include threats to physically assault targeted students both on and off-campus. Hasibul confirmed the authenticity of the screenshots. The group accused these students of posting defamatory and false content online.

On Monday afternoon, Tarique Rahman drove his mother, Khaleda Zia, to Heathrow Airport. Family members and local BNP activists gathered to see her off. Khaleda Zia smiled while speaking to her son before departure, kissed him goodbye, and said to the well-wishers, “Please take care of Bhaiya (Tarique Rahman).” She is accompanied by her daughters-in-law, Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman.

BNP leader Shairul Kabir Khan announced that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to arrive at Dhaka’s airport on Tuesday at 10:30 AM. As her return coincides with the SSC examinations, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged party activists to remain on the sidewalks and avoid gathering on the streets. He also appealed to law enforcement agencies to ensure that no one disrupts public movement on the roads during that time.

BNP senior leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy has remarked that the court has become a "second home" for BNP leaders due to the frequency of legal proceedings. “We are constantly summoned. Even today’s Chief Adviser faced numerous cases in the past, and we protested against those back then. Now, all cases against him have been withdrawn, and he sits comfortably in office. Yet I, Goyeshwar, continue to appear in court,” he said. Roy emphasized that the BNP has never practiced vindictive politics. He also criticized the media landscape, stating, “Many believe it’s safest to speak or write against the BNP. Journalists used to say there was no press freedom under the Awami League, yet criticism of the BNP was widespread. But true press freedom lies not with journalists, but with the owners and publishers. Some media owners have cozy ties with the government and avoid publishing critical news. Despite having financial strength, many outlets fail to pay their journalists properly.”