A Dhaka court has ordered four members of an organized human skeleton theft ring to be sent to jail after their arrest in the Tejgaon area. The order was issued on Tuesday by Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam. The accused are Kazi Zohurul Islam alias Soumik, Md. Abul Kalam, Asadul Munshi alias Jasim alias Ershad, and Faisal Ahmed. Police recovered a total of 47 human skulls and bones during multiple operations.

According to case details, Tejgaon police acted on a tip-off and first arrested Kazi Zohurul Islam near the Manipuripara cemetery early Sunday, recovering one skeleton. Based on his information, two more suspects were detained near Tejgaon College with two skeletons. Later, police raided the Sapporo Dental College Hospital hostel in Uttara, where Faisal was arrested with 44 skeletons allegedly stolen from cemeteries across the country.

Investigators said the group collected human skeletons from cemeteries in Gazipur and other areas and sold them at high prices. A case has been filed at Tejgaon Police Station over the incident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will distribute Family Cards to 40 million households across Bangladesh within the next five years. He made the statement on Tuesday morning at the Family Card inauguration ceremony held at the T&T playground near Karail slum in Banani, Dhaka. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was present, and the event was chaired by Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain.

Rahman said the initiative has already started in 14 locations nationwide, with about 37,000 women currently participating. In the Karail, Vashantek, and Saat Tola areas, around 15,000 women have already received the benefits of the Family Card. He emphasized that empowering women-headed households is essential for national development, as half of the country’s population is female.

The Prime Minister added that the Family Card program fulfills an election promise, achieved within a month of taking office, and reflects the government’s commitment to accountability to the people.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Secretary General, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, has accused the ruling BNP of destroying the political understanding that had developed among anti-fascist forces during previous regimes. Speaking at the party’s central committee meeting in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan on Tuesday, he alleged that since the BNP came to power, its activists have attacked Islami Andolan members, including incidents of murder and violence in different areas.

He cited the killing of an Islami Andolan worker in Patuakhali’s Kalapara, allegedly by local BNP leaders, and a recent attack on Niamati Union Parishad Chairman Humayun Kabir in Bakerganj, Barishal. The party expressed strong condemnation and anger over these incidents. Yunus Ahmad urged BNP’s top leadership to control their activists, ensure accountability, and take organizational action against those involved.

He warned that if BNP members continue old-style politics similar to the previous fascist regime, the public will resist again, and the BNP will have to bear responsibility for damaging political harmony.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader who was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP activists in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila has died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. The incident occurred on February 28 at Hasadah Bazar, where four people, including the Jamaat leader, were seriously injured. The deceased, identified as Mofizur Rahman, 32, Amir of Banka Union Jamaat and son of Wahed Mia of Sutia village, had been receiving treatment in the ICU of Evercare Aurora Hospital in Dhaka for ten days before succumbing to his injuries on Tuesday around 1 p.m.

Earlier, Mofizur’s brother Hafizur Rahman, 46, who was also injured in the same attack, died on March 1 at the same hospital. Jibannagar Upazila Jamaat Amir Maulana Sajedur Rahman confirmed Mofizur Rahman’s death. Jibannagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Solaiman Sheikh also acknowledged hearing of the death. Chuadanga-1 MP Masud Parvez Russell and Chuadanga-2 MP Ruhul Amin expressed condolences in a joint statement, describing the deceased as a talented and responsible individual.

The death has added to tensions following the February 28 violence, which left multiple Jamaat members injured in the reported BNP attack.

A Dhaka court has accepted the charge sheet against 28 accused in the case over the fatal beating of Tofazzal Hossain, a mentally unstable man, at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall. On March 10, 2026, Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued arrest warrants for 22 fugitives while taking cognizance of the charges. Among the accused, four are in jail, two are on bail, and the rest remain absconding.

The incident occurred on September 18, 2024, when Tofazzal was beaten to death by students who suspected him of theft. The following day, a case was filed at Shahbagh Police Station by a university estate office supervisor. After initial investigation and dissatisfaction from the university administration, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was ordered to reinvestigate. PBI later submitted a new charge sheet on December 15, 2025, naming 28 individuals, including seven new suspects.

The court’s latest order advances the legal process against those accused in the killing, with further proceedings expected following the execution of the arrest warrants.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has requested the formation of a Tk 3,000 crore special fund to protect the country’s housing sector from the impact of ongoing global conflicts. REHAB leaders formally presented the proposal during a meeting with the new Bangladesh Bank Governor, Md. Mostakur Rahman, at the central bank’s headquarters on Tuesday. The delegation included REHAB President Md. Wahiduzzaman, Senior Vice President Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan, Vice President-1 Lion M.A. Awal, and directors Md. Kamrul Islam and Miraj Muktadir.

During the meeting, REHAB representatives described the current challenges facing the housing industry, citing rising construction material costs, financing difficulties, and market uncertainty caused by global instability. They emphasized that the housing sector is vital to the national economy, linking more than 250 related industries. REHAB also urged the introduction of low-interest, long-term housing loans for middle- and lower-middle-income groups and the simplification of bank loan approval processes.

Governor Rahman listened to the proposal and assured that the central bank would consider appropriate measures. REHAB leaders expressed optimism that the proposed fund would boost investment and make home ownership more accessible.

The Dhaka Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing has made nine recommendations to the government to ensure safer travel during the upcoming Eid holidays. The proposals, announced on March 10, 2026, by coordinator Marjana Muntaha through a press release, include banning unfit vehicles from roads, enforcing speed limits, and mandating quality helmets for motorcyclists and passengers. The forum also urged authorities to ensure drivers’ rest periods and to prevent the operation of unauthorized vehicles such as battery-run transports on major highways.

The statement noted that road accidents in Bangladesh rise sharply during Eid due to reckless driving, poor regulation, and increased traffic. Citing Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) data, it reported 132 deaths and 208 injuries in 110 road accidents during the last Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, with fatalities rising by about 19 percent compared to 2023.

The organization emphasized that effective laws, strict enforcement, and institutional accountability are essential to reduce fatalities and allow citizens to celebrate Eid safely with their families.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has announced that motorcycle ride-share drivers in metropolitan areas will be allowed to purchase up to five liters of octane or petrol per day. The decision was detailed in a press release signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana on March 10, 2026.

According to the announcement, the fuel distribution will follow three specific conditions. Drivers must receive a purchase receipt specifying the fuel type, quantity, and price each time they buy fuel. They must also submit the original copy of the previous purchase receipt when refueling again. Additionally, the motorcycle’s registration number and driver information must be verified with the ride-sharing app before fuel is supplied.

BPC stated that only those who comply with these conditions will be eligible to collect up to five liters of fuel daily from filling stations within metropolitan areas.

A massive traffic jam stretching about 30 to 35 kilometers has paralyzed the Comilla section of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway since Tuesday morning. The congestion, mainly on the Chattogram-bound lane from Daudkandi to Comilla Cantonment, caused severe suffering for thousands of passengers. Highway police officials said the jam resulted from slow road repair work and a blockade by garment workers demanding unpaid wages.

Workers from Chandina Denim Garments blocked the highway near Harikhola Mazar area after not receiving three months of salaries and bonuses. The protest quickly expanded, halting traffic across Daudkandi, Gauripur, Chandina, Nimsar, and Cantonment areas. Passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, were seen walking to their destinations under intense heat during Ramadan.

Police later intervened to clear the blockade and restore movement. The factory’s CEO, Jahangir Alam, said workers would receive January salaries by Thursday and February wages with Eid bonuses by March 16, blaming an unnamed group for inciting the protest.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Textiles, Jute, Industry and Commerce, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, stated that there is currently no concern about rising commodity prices, even though the Iran-Israel war may affect trade. He noted that if sea routes remain closed for a long time, transportation costs could increase. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon after distributing family cards at a program held at M A Rup Junior School field in Kulanj Union of Dirai upazila, Sunamganj.

He explained that the family card distribution fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to build a poverty-free Bangladesh, launched just a month after the election. The initiative was designed to avoid any political bias. Muktadir added that the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment to boost employment and purchasing power, addressing past stagnation in investment.

At the event, 697 women from three villages in Kulanj Union received family cards. Several members of parliament and local officials attended the program, and beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the prime minister.

Bangladesh’s stock market continued its strong recovery for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, signaling easing investor fears linked to the Middle East conflict. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) benchmark index DSEX rose by more than 148 points, following a 132-point gain the previous day, totaling a two-day increase of 280 points. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw a sharp rise, with its CSCX index climbing 2.33 percent to surpass 9,000 points.

According to Ifthekhar Alam, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association and CEO of LankaBangla Investments, natural buyers have returned to the market after a major correction, restoring positive momentum. He noted that the government’s decision not to raise fuel prices, alternative supply arrangements, and the arrival of two oil tankers at Chattogram port have eased concerns over fuel shortages, positively influencing the market.

Trading activity also increased, with DSE transactions reaching about Tk 594 crore compared to Tk 416 crore the previous day, reflecting renewed investor participation and confidence.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has warned that Bangladesh could lose significant import duty revenue in the current fiscal year due to its new trade agreement with the United States. The concern was raised at a roundtable in Dhaka on March 10, where CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun presented findings showing a potential revenue loss of about Tk 1,327 crore. The deal, titled the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, allows duty-free import of around 4,500 US products and requires tariff reductions on another 2,210 items over the next five to ten years.

CPD noted that the arrangement may create a one-sided market advantage for the US and could conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles, potentially complicating Bangladesh’s trade policy. The organization also cautioned that mandatory purchases of certain US goods could raise government expenditure, urging a review of the deal through dialogue with Washington.

The discussion further highlighted Bangladesh’s revenue shortfall, growing reliance on bank borrowing, and slow development spending, with CPD recommending realistic budget targets and long-term fiscal reforms to stabilize the economy.

The government of Bangladesh has declared March 18, 2026, a public holiday by executive order, extending the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation period. Following this announcement, Bangladesh Bank confirmed that scheduled banks will remain closed for seven consecutive days. However, to facilitate salary and bonus payments for garment workers, certain bank branches in industrial areas will remain open on March 18 and 19.

According to a circular issued by the central bank, branches located in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram garment zones must operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a prayer break between 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Transactions will be conducted until 1 p.m. The circular also instructed that bank branches and booths in port and customs areas remain operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support import and export activities.

Between March 17 and 23, except on Eid day, limited banking operations will continue in coordination with local administration and port authorities to ensure smooth trade-related transactions.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has been promoted to the position of Deputy Managing Director (Finance and Accounts) at Grameen Bank. The decision was made at the bank’s 173rd board meeting, recognizing his outstanding performance and contributions to the institution. Prior to this promotion, he served as the General Manager of the Finance and Accounts Division.

Chowdhury was born in West Dhemsha village of Satkania upazila in Chattogram district. He completed his postgraduate degree in Management from the University of Chittagong and joined Grameen Bank in 1995 as a probationary officer. Over his career, he has held various key positions including Branch Manager, Program Officer, Area Manager, Zonal Audit Officer, Zonal Manager, and Department Head.

He expressed optimism about contributing further to the bank’s progress, particularly in expanding loan programs and deposit growth, drawing on his long professional experience.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on retired Lieutenant Colonel Asadul Islam and his wife Nasreen Shams amid corruption allegations. The order was given on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), represented by Assistant Director Abdul Malek, had petitioned for the restriction.

According to the ACC’s application, Asadul Islam is accused of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources and conducting suspicious transactions through his bank accounts. The commission is currently investigating these allegations. Reliable sources reportedly informed investigators that Asadul Islam and his wife were attempting to leave the country.

The court imposed the travel ban to ensure an unhindered investigation into the corruption allegations. The order prevents both individuals from traveling abroad until further notice.