The court has ruled to cancel the sedition charges against BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Abdus Salam, Chairman of Ekushey TV, along with two others: Ekushey TV’s former chief reporter Mahathir Faruqi Khan and senior reporter Konok Sarwar. Earlier, on October 31, they were acquitted. The charges stemmed from a January 5, 2015, speech by Tarique Rahman in London, which was broadcast live on Ekushey TV. The case claimed that Rahman’s speech, by being aired directly, spread false information and endangered the sovereignty of the country. The charges were formally filed in 2017.

In response to a hunger strike by students at Jahangirnagar University, the administration has made several changes to the pet quota. Previously, each department had a maximum of four students from the pet quota, totaling up to 148 students. This has now been reduced to 40. Previously, this quota included benefits for spouses, children, and siblings. Now, only children are eligible, and a working individual can only avail this benefit once. The hunger strike began on Sunday at 11 AM demanding the cancellation of the pet quota in the undergraduate honors first-year admission process. The administration intervened at 5 AM the following day, promising to meet their demands. Later, in the afternoon, a committee was formed to investigate, leading to another round of hunger strikes by the students. The students have set demands, including the trial of those responsible for attacking students during the July mass uprising by February 5, announcement of the schedule on February 6, and the admission test on February 9. In this context, the students have accepted the changes to the pet quota.

Students have suspended their protests and returned to classes following government assurances, restoring normal traffic flow on the Mahakhali-Gulshan road. However, they have warned of resuming protests if visible progress is not made on their demands. The students of Titumir College had been boycotting classes and exams since last Tuesday and began a hunger strike the following afternoon, demanding that their institution be declared an independent university. Although the Ministry of Education intervened on Monday and assured improved facilities, no concrete commitment was made regarding university status. After Dhaka University (DU) separated itself from the seven affiliated colleges, the government announced plans to form a new university for them. However, Titumir students have been protesting for their college to be recognized as a standalone university. On Monday, students blocked railway tracks, prompting discussions with education ministry officials, who promised to work on land allocation, new buildings, and other demands.

Assistant Commissioner Tapasi Tabassum Urmi, who was temporarily suspended for making derogatory remarks about Shaheed Abu Sayeed and other martyrs of the anti-discrimination student movement, is now facing trial. The court rejected her plea for dismissal and ordered the formation of charges against her. Previously, on January 26, Urmi surrendered and sought bail, which was granted, with the court scheduling the charge formation hearing for February 4. The case against her includes allegations of opposing the constitutional government formed after the mass uprising despite being a government official, conspiring to overthrow the government and instilling fear among the public, and dishonoring the Chief Adviser and the martyrs.

A Facebook post from the verified account of Awami League leader and former minister Faruk Khan has gone viral on social media. In response, prison authorities issued a statement asserting that it is impossible for him to post from inside the jail. Faruk Khan is currently imprisoned in Keraniganj Central Jail in Dhaka, facing multiple cases, including charges related to past anti-discrimination student movement killings. He was arrested on October 14. Authorities have not confirmed whether his account is being operated by a family member or someone outside the prison.

Indian journalist Mayukh Ranjan Ghosh is widely known for his dramatic presentation style, often making exaggerated claims that amuse his audience. He has previously made controversial statements about Bangladesh, including claims that Chattogram and other parts of the country would be taken over. On the night of January 3, Mayukh participated in an online live session with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, discussing topics such as the alleged sale of St. Martin’s Island, the availability of beef in Dhaka hotels, and even an incident involving Sheikh Hasina’s picture in a dustbin. Referring to the session as an “India-Bangladesh match,” Mayukh claimed that five individuals were assigned to monitor him. In response, Shafiqul Alam invited Mayukh to interview Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Indian journalist Mayukh Ranjan Ghosh is widely known for his dramatic presentation style, often making exaggerated claims that amuse his audience. He has previously made controversial statements about Bangladesh, including claims that Chattogram and other parts of the country would be taken over. On the night of January 3, Mayukh participated in an online live session with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, discussing topics such as the alleged sale of St. Martin’s Island, the availability of beef in Dhaka hotels, and even an incident involving Sheikh Hasina’s picture in a dustbin. Referring to the session as an “India-Bangladesh match,” Mayukh claimed that five individuals were assigned to monitor him. In response, Shafiqul Alam invited Mayukh to interview Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

The home of Shaheed Russel, who was killed in the anti-discrimination student movement, was attacked twice—once late at night on February 3 and again at 8 AM the next morning—in Kashab Union of Manda Upazila, Naogaon. The martyr’s father accused the attacks of being carried out by a group of assailants led by their neighbor, Rafatullah Mondal. Attempts to contact Rafatullah were unsuccessful. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) stated that the attack site has been inspected, and preparations for a case are underway.

Three young men lost their lives in a motorcycle accident on their way home after attending Saraswati Puja in Feni. The victims have been identified as Daibu Vaishnav (22), Antar Ghosh (20), and Sourav Goswami (22). The accident occurred around 8:30 PM on the Feni-Noakhali regional highway. Their motorcycle, moving at high speed, lost control while overtaking a truck and crashed into the trunk of a tree. Two of them died on the spot, while the third succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the district hospital. According to a sub-inspector of the Feni Highway Police Station, reckless speed was the main cause of the accident.

Ten Bangladeshis from Rajair upazila in Madaripur have been confirmed dead in a tragic boat capsizing in the Mediterranean while attempting to reach Italy illegally. Four more remain missing. On January 30, the Bangladeshi embassy in Libya reported the recovery of several bodies from the shores of Brega. Families of the victims are demanding punishment for human traffickers responsible for the tragedy. According to one survivor, he paid Tk 2.8 million to traffickers, who failed to ensure their safe journey. The mastermind behind the trafficking ring has been identified as Monir Howlader and Rafique from Bhanga upazila. The local administration has promised to arrange the repatriation of the bodies.

Following the mass uprising on August 5, many Awami League leaders and government officials fled the country. Some are now appearing in public again. Former State Minister for Shipping and Awami League Organizing Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was recently seen in London, attending an Awami League gathering. During the event, party members demanded the withdrawal of cases against them and the resignation of Yunus Sarkar’s government. The UK Awami League also launched a month-long leaflet distribution campaign. Other attendees included UK Awami Jubo League Joint Secretary Jamal Khan, former minister and Awami League Presidium member Abdur Rahman, former state minister Shafiqul Rahman, and former MP Habibur Rahman.

A court has granted a three-day remand for former Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain and his brother Sarfaraz Hossain in cases related to the anti-discrimination student movement and the murder of Jamaat leader Abdur Jabbar. Another two-day remand has been approved for his brother-in-law in a separate case. Police had sought five days of remand. As the former minister was being taken to the courtroom, protesters from the anti-discrimination student movement and BNP activists threw eggs at him while chanting slogans.

Out of 50,000 foreign nationals living illegally in Bangladesh, 15,618 have left the country as of January after being ordered to leave. However, 33,648 remain illegally. A 11-member task force, led by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been formed to decide on further actions. Earlier, on December 8, the ministry instructed authorities to take legal actions against illegal foreigners. According to the Special Branch of Police, 27,000 Indians and 10,000 Chinese nationals have overstayed their visas and need to pay fines to renew them.

Police have arrested Abdul Latif Master, vice president of Awami League’s Dighinala unit in Khagrachhari and a high school headteacher, while he was trying to flee after punching someone. The incident followed an argument over a local issue. Multiple cases are already filed against him in Dighinala and Khagrachhari Sadar police stations, and another case is being prepared for this assault.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a report alleging that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, retired Major General Tariq Ahmed, Major Ziaul Ahsan, and senior police officials oversaw enforced disappearances. Earlier, a national investigation commission reported that 3,500 disappearances took place under Sheikh Hasina’s government. Victims were allegedly subjected to conditions worse than death, according to their lawyers. The report also recommends disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in line with the commission’s suggestions. It has been reported that RAB chief AKM Shahidur Rahman has agreed to this decision. The report further emphasizes that security forces should adhere to international standards in exercising their authority.