A special tribunal in Dhaka has formally ordered the start of trial proceedings against deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers, among 17 accused, in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, read out the charges and set January 21 for opening statements. Ten of the accused are currently in custody, while seven, including Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, remain fugitives.

Defense lawyers for the present and absconding defendants pleaded for dismissal of charges, asserting their clients’ innocence. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed, citing sufficient grounds for trial. The accused, including several senior military officers, denied all allegations when asked by the court.

The case marks a significant legal development following the political upheaval that removed Hasina from power. Observers say the trial could have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh’s civil-military relations and accountability in state security operations.

Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 22 new development projects totaling Tk 46,419 crore (approximately USD 4.2 billion). The approval came during the committee’s 18th meeting under the interim government, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka. The Planning Ministry confirmed the decision in an official statement following the meeting.

Of the total allocation, Tk 30,482 crore will come from government funds, Tk 1,689 crore from project loans, and Tk 14,247 crore from implementing agencies’ own resources. This marks the seventh ECNEC meeting of the 2025–26 fiscal year, reflecting the government’s continued focus on infrastructure and socio-economic development despite the political transition.

Officials noted that the newly approved projects span key sectors including transport, energy, and rural development. Economists expect the investments to stimulate employment and regional connectivity, though they cautioned about ensuring transparency and timely implementation to maximize impact.

A video showing chaos during a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman went viral on social media Monday, drawing widespread discussion and criticism. The incident occurred when members of the newly formed 'Bangladesh Nationalist Generation of the Liberation War' paid tribute under the leadership of Ishraq Hossain, BNP’s candidate for Dhaka-6.

Later that night, Ishraq issued a public apology through his verified Facebook page, expressing regret for the disorder. He explained that the large turnout and enthusiasm among party activists led to difficulties in maintaining protocol. Ishraq clarified that his role required ensuring the safety and comfort of senior leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, who attended as chief and special guests.

The apology was seen as an attempt to contain internal criticism and maintain discipline within BNP’s youth ranks. Political observers note that the incident underscores the challenges of managing large-scale party events ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Bogura recovered the body of businessman Pintu Akanda, 35, seven hours after he was abducted at gunpoint from his Lotto showroom in Dupchanchia upazila on Monday night. Witnesses reported that four masked men forced him into a white microbus around 9:08 p.m. and drove toward Adamdighi. His body was later found in the Kumarpara area of Adamdighi upazila.

Law enforcement officials have detained three suspects, including the microbus driver, Sanowar Hossain, and two others named Sakil and Sagor, for questioning. Bogura Additional Superintendent of Police Atowar Hossain confirmed that the vehicle used in the crime has been seized, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining perpetrators. The motive behind the killing remains unclear.

The incident has sparked fear among local business owners in the area, prompting calls for stronger security measures. Police are reviewing CCTV footage that captured the abduction and continuing their investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the murder.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The meeting followed rising security concerns surrounding Bangladeshi missions in several Indian cities, including New Delhi and Kolkata. According to diplomatic sources, Dhaka expressed serious concern over recent activities by Hindu nationalist groups near its missions.

Officials indicated that Bangladesh lodged a strong protest regarding the incidents and sought assurances from India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff and premises. This is the second time in December that Verma has been called in; earlier, on December 14, he was summoned over remarks made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while in India and over the alleged flight of suspects in a political attack case.

The repeated summons reflect growing diplomatic tension between Dhaka and New Delhi amid heightened political sensitivities in both countries. Observers suggest that both sides may seek to de-escalate through dialogue to preserve bilateral cooperation on security and regional stability.

Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has scrapped more than two million faulty primary school textbooks, valued at around Tk 15 crore, after discovering widespread printing defects and substandard paper use. Over fifty printing presses have been implicated, and more than 3,000 tons of low-quality paper have been rejected. Officials said the books were destroyed using cutting machines as part of a drive to ensure quality compliance.

Former and current NCTB officials confirmed that similar irregularities occurred in previous years, with some presses allegedly linked to a long-standing political and business syndicate accused of embezzling billions of taka through low-quality textbook production. Industry leaders and inspectors reported threats and bribery attempts aimed at avoiding penalties. The Education Ministry has pledged strict action against those responsible.

Observers note that the crackdown marks one of the largest quality-control interventions in Bangladesh’s textbook printing history. However, questions remain about whether entrenched networks within the printing sector can be dismantled and accountability sustained in the coming academic years.

Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election has sparked intra-alliance tension as Barrister Rumeen Farhana, a central executive member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), announced her independent candidacy in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj). The seat was allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Junayed Al-Habib under a BNP-Jamiat electoral understanding. Despite not receiving the BNP nomination, Rumeen declared her intention to contest independently during a local event in Sarail, fueling speculation of internal rifts.

The BNP and Jamiat recently formalized an agreement granting Jamiat four constituencies—Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2. Under new electoral rules, Jamiat candidates must run using their party’s ‘date tree’ symbol rather than BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’. Party officials confirmed this arrangement in a joint press conference at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.

Analysts suggest Rumeen’s independent bid could test BNP’s alliance discipline and voter cohesion in key constituencies. The development underscores the complexities of opposition coordination ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached an electoral understanding with Bangladesh Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam ahead of the 13th national election. Under the agreement, BNP will not field candidates in four constituencies where Jamiat will contest, while Jamiat will refrain from competing in BNP-allocated seats. The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Despite BNP’s endorsement, Jamiat candidates will not be allowed to use the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Instead, they must contest under their own ‘date tree’ emblem, in line with recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) approved by the interim government’s advisory council. The four constituencies allocated to Jamiat are Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2.

Political analysts view this alliance as a strategic move to consolidate opposition votes against the ruling party. However, the restriction on shared symbols may limit the coalition’s visibility among voters. The coming weeks will test how effectively the alliance can coordinate its campaign under separate banners.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The charges relate to alleged enforced disappearances and torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The order was issued on Tuesday by a three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar.

The tribunal’s decision marks a significant legal development involving some of the country’s most senior political and security figures. The accused also include former and current military officers. While detailed charges and trial dates are yet to be disclosed, the case has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants. Human rights groups have long raised concerns about alleged abuses by security agencies, and this move may signal a shift toward judicial accountability.

Observers say the proceedings could have far-reaching political and institutional implications, testing the independence of Bangladesh’s judiciary and the state’s stance on human rights violations.

A Feni court has issued arrest warrants against Nizam Uddin Hazari, general secretary of the Feni district Awami League, and 71 other fugitives in connection with the killing of autorickshaw driver Md. Sabuj during a protest in August 2024. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hasan of the Feni Sadar court after accepting the charge sheet filed by police.

According to case records, Sabuj was shot dead when armed activists of the Awami League and its now-banned affiliates opened fire on demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The case, filed by Sabuj’s brother, named 65 individuals and implicated up to 400 others. Police later charged 124 people, of whom 54 have been arrested so far, while 71 remain at large.

Authorities stated that copies of the arrest warrants will soon be sent to local police stations. The case is one of 24 filed over the violent crackdown, including seven murder and 17 attempted murder cases, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Feni.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, announced that her campaign fund received over Tk 1.2 million in just seven hours. The announcement came early Tuesday through her verified Facebook page, where she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming public support. The fundraising drive began Monday night as part of her effort to finance her election campaign.

According to Jara, the campaign’s total target is Tk 4.69 million, with fundraising to stop once Tk 3.4 million more is collected. She noted that donations through the mobile payment platform bKash were temporarily halted after reaching transaction limits, but contributions could still be made via bank accounts. Jara also shared screenshots of the donation accounts, emphasizing transparency and accountability in fund management.

The rapid response highlights growing citizen engagement in digital political fundraising in Bangladesh. Observers say such initiatives may reshape campaign financing norms, especially among younger and tech-savvy voters ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Khulna have detained a young woman named Tonima Tonbi in connection with the shooting of Md. Motaleb Shikdar, the divisional convener of the National Workers’ Power (NCP). Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred at Tonbi’s rented residence on Monday afternoon. Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge Taimur Islam verified the arrest late Monday night but said more details would be shared after further investigation.

Earlier, the victim’s wife, Fahima Taslim Jhumur, held a press conference at Khulna Press Club, urging police to arrest Tonbi and her husband Miraj for questioning. She stated that her husband had gone to Khulna Medical College Hospital on Sunday night to visit a patient and did not return home. The next morning, she was informed that he had been shot.

Police have yet to determine the motive or identify the shooter. The victim’s family has demanded a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today, December 23, on whether to formally frame charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, scheduled the ruling after concluding hearings earlier this month.

The case names 17 accused in total, including 10 currently in custody and seven absconding, among them former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-RAB chief Benazir Ahmed. Defense lawyers have sought dismissal of the charges, while prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed with trial. Hearings were previously postponed on December 21 following defense requests for special arguments.

The tribunal’s decision will determine whether a full trial begins against the former leader and senior military officials. The proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally for their potential political and legal implications in post-Hasina Bangladesh.

Authorities in Comilla have reported growing concerns over illegal arms entering Bangladesh through the Tripura border as the 13th national election approaches. The issue follows the unsolved case of 17 police firearms looted during last year’s student protests, which remain unrecovered. Recent Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) operations have seized both narcotics and foreign pistols, intensifying public anxiety about potential election-related violence.

Local political leaders and residents have expressed frustration at the administration’s failure to recover the missing weapons. Opposition figures allege that fugitive members of the former ruling party are orchestrating arms inflows from India to disrupt the polls. BGB officials confirmed that firearms were found alongside drugs in recent raids, marking the first such discovery in the district. Police say joint efforts with the army and Rapid Action Battalion are ongoing to locate the missing weapons.

Security analysts warn that the combination of unrecovered police arms and new smuggling routes could destabilize the region if not swiftly contained before election day.

A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the 14-storey Haji Tower in Babubazar, Armanitola, Old Dhaka. The blaze started on the sixth floor around 6:40 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Within five minutes of receiving the alert, firefighters reached the scene and engaged nine units from Sadarghat, Sutrapur, and Siddikbazar stations. The fire was brought under control by 7:20 a.m.

Officials from the Fire Service’s media wing confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported as of press time. The cause of the fire and the extent of property damage remain under investigation. Authorities stated that a detailed assessment will follow once the site is fully secured.

This incident highlights ongoing fire safety challenges in densely populated areas of Old Dhaka, where narrow roads and aging infrastructure often complicate emergency responses. Investigators are expected to review building safety compliance and electrical systems in the coming days.