The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to fix the date today for delivering the verdict in a war crimes case against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other accused. The case involves the shooting of Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building ledge in Rampura, and the killing of two others during the July uprising. The three-member tribunal panel is led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

On February 3, both prosecution and defense completed their arguments. Defense lawyer Sarwar Jahan Nippon sought acquittal for accused Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, while state defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain argued for the innocence of four absconding defendants. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam countered their claims. The prosecution earlier asserted that evidence, including witness statements and video footage, clearly proved the accused’s involvement and sought the maximum penalty.

The tribunal had framed charges on September 18 last year after the prosecution filed formal charges on August 7. Among the accused, former Rampura police outpost ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar is in custody, while the others remain absconding.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s division secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, has expressed deep concern, anger, and condemnation over a reported rape incident in Hatiya linked to voting activities. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, she said the assault allegedly occurred because the victim voted for the Shapla symbol. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Noakhali General Hospital, where a medical board has been formed for her care, confirmed by emergency medical officer Dr. Mostafizur Rahman.

Siddika described the incident as a reflection of authoritarianism and an attack on constitutional rights, stating that no woman should face such violence for exercising her right to vote. She emphasized that politically motivated sexual violence undermines democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. On behalf of Jamaat’s women’s division, she presented three demands: an impartial and swift investigation, immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, and assurance of the victim’s medical, security, and psychological support.

She also urged citizens, human rights groups, women’s organizations, and all political parties to unite against such brutality and defend women’s dignity and safety.

In Manikganj, 13 out of 20 candidates lost their security deposits in three parliamentary constituencies following the latest national election results published on February 15, 2026. According to the Election Commission’s rule, a candidate must secure at least 12.5 percent of the total valid votes to retain their deposit.

In Manikganj-1, BNP’s S A Jinnah Kabir won with 137,773 votes, followed by independent candidate Tozammel Haque Toza with 77,818 and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abu Bakar Siddique with 71,310. The remaining four candidates failed to meet the vote threshold. In Manikganj-2, BNP’s Moinul Islam Khan Shanto won with 175,776 votes, while Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Salauddin came second with 81,531; two others lost their deposits. In Manikganj-3, BNP’s Afroza Khanam Rita won with 167,345 votes, and Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Saidnur came second with 64,242; seven other candidates forfeited their deposits.

The results show that most minor party and independent candidates in Manikganj failed to reach the required vote share to retain their deposits.

BNP candidate Faruk Alam Sarkar has demanded a recount of votes in the Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency, alleging irregularities during the counting process. He made the demand on Saturday night, February 14, at a press conference held at his residence in Saghata. Sarkar claimed that polling agents were forced to sign blank result sheets before the vote count began and that fabricated results were later prepared to ensure the victory of the candidate with the 'scales' symbol.

According to Sarkar, the process was deliberately manipulated to defeat his 'paddy sheaf' symbol. He alleged that the pre-signed blank result sheets were used to produce false outcomes favoring his opponent. The press conference was attended by Saghata Upazila BNP member secretary Selim Ahmed Tulip, advocate Rejwanul Haque Mondol, and other local leaders.

The demand for a recount follows the official declaration of results in the constituency, though no response from election authorities or other candidates was mentioned in the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the incidents of post-election violence across the country. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, February 15, 2026, he declared that his party would never bow to any form of evil force. Rahman expressed deep concern over reports of attacks, vandalism, arson, and assaults allegedly carried out by members of a particular group against supporters of the 11-party alliance, including incidents of harassment of women.

He emphasized that Jamaat would remain steadfast in truth and justice and called on supporters to stand beside the oppressed. Rahman urged his colleagues to remain firm with the general public, describing this as a duty to humanity, to God, and to the nation. He asserted that there was no room for weakness in fulfilling this responsibility.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s response to the reported violence following the national election and its call for organized resistance and solidarity with victims of political unrest.

Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser for posts, telecommunications and ICT in the interim government, has quietly left Bangladesh after formally completing his duties. In a verified Facebook post early Saturday, he said he departed for Germany via Dubai on February 14, citing financial losses and family emergencies as reasons for his travel. He stated that his official farewell took place on February 10 after completing election-related responsibilities and contributions to technology-based election management.

Responding to social media criticism, Tayyab expressed frustration over personal attacks and clarified that he left only after finishing his official duties. He said he suffered financial setbacks while serving the country and needed to find new employment. He added that his wife’s medical emergency and his son’s school meeting required his presence abroad, emphasizing that he had purchased a return ticket.

In his postscript, Tayyab claimed he had worked to bring transparency and new management practices to a ministry he described as corrupt, denied any involvement in corruption, and alleged that certain telecom business groups had spread falsehoods against him.

Twelve candidates lost their security deposits in four parliamentary constituencies of Jhenaidah following the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to the district returning office. A total of 21 candidates contested across the four constituencies. In Jhenaidah-1, BNP’s Md. Asaduzzaman won with 173,381 votes, while three of five candidates forfeited their deposits. In Jhenaidah-2, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar secured victory with 195,702 votes, and four of six candidates lost their deposits. In Jhenaidah-3, Jamaat’s Md. Matiar Rahman won with 175,857 votes, with two of four candidates losing deposits. In Jhenaidah-4, Jamaat’s Abu Talib won with 105,999 votes, and three of six candidates forfeited deposits.

According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency must forfeit their deposit. The forfeitures in Jhenaidah reflect this rule, as the affected candidates did not meet the required vote threshold.

The results highlight competitive races between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the district, with voter turnout ranging from 72.93% to 77.84% across the four constituencies.

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal has dismissed as baseless the widespread rumors that he is set to join national politics or take a ministerial post under a possible BNP-led government. Reports circulating on social media claimed that Tamim might be appointed as a technocrat minister, but he clarified on his verified Facebook page that no such proposal had been made to him. He described the discussions about his political involvement as completely false and urged everyone to refrain from spreading unfounded news.

The speculation gained traction after Tamim appeared at campaign events for several BNP candidates ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, in which the party secured an absolute majority and began preparing to form a government. His name was particularly linked on social media with the position of state minister for youth and sports. Similar rumors also surrounded former national football captain Aminul Islam, who contested from Dhaka-16 but lost and challenged the result.

Although Tamim has denied any political ambitions for now, his name entering political discussions has sparked fresh curiosity among sports fans and the general public.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government to be formed under the leadership of Tareq Rahman. According to the report, invitations have also been extended to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other heads of government from SAARC member states, as well as leaders from key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. However, Modi’s participation in the event remains uncertain, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The report notes that Modi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day, when Macron will be in India to attend the AI Impact Summit. Although Modi may not attend, India could still be represented at the ceremony by a senior leader, possibly the vice president or foreign minister. Citing Indian officials, the report adds that New Delhi does not intend to rush into rebuilding ties with Dhaka, though restoring the strained relationship remains a priority for India.

The uncertainty over Modi’s attendance underscores the cautious approach India is taking toward its diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh’s new administration.

An attack took place at the campaign office of independent parliamentary candidate Saiful Islam Firoz in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, leading to the filing of a case naming 20 accused individuals. According to the case statement, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday at the main election office located on Thana Road, where Firoz and his supporters were present. The attackers allegedly broke into the office, vandalized furniture, and injured several workers.

The case was filed on Friday night by Saiful Islam Firoz, the independent candidate for the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, at Kaliganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Jellal Hossain confirmed that the police had received the case. The accused include individuals aged between 22 and 59, whose names were listed in the complaint.

Police have acknowledged receipt of the case, but no further details on arrests or investigations were mentioned in the report.

World leaders are being invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. According to the Prime Advisor’s Office, invitations have been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other heads of government from SAARC member countries. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Beyond the SAARC region, invitations are also being sent to the heads of state and government of China, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey. Officials from the Prime Advisor’s Office stated that the invitations are being issued on behalf of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in coordination with the BNP high command. The interim government will organize the event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to become the main opposition party.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, held on 12 February 2026 under the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, concluded peacefully and was widely described as the most transparent and orderly in the country’s history. The Election Commission announced results for 297 constituencies, confirming a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, who won 212 seats. Tarique Rahman is set to become the 13th Prime Minister, marking BNP’s return to power after two decades. The election saw a voter turnout of 59.44 percent, with a concurrent referendum yielding 68.1 percent “yes” votes.

International media including CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Dawn, and NDTV praised the election’s fairness and its potential impact on South Asian politics. The armed forces were credited for maintaining order, and the interim government was commended for ensuring a violence-free process. However, post-election violence was reported in several districts, leaving one person dead and over a hundred injured.

Analysts noted that Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the second-largest political force with 68 seats, while the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) gained six seats. Observers described Jamaat’s rise as a “yellow signal” for BNP’s future political dominance.

Newly elected Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency has issued a strong message to his party members, declaring that he will neither commit nor tolerate any wrongdoing. Speaking on Saturday night at a gathering near Kazi Montu Filling Station in Kotalipara, he warned that anyone involved in criminal activities would face consequences, regardless of personal closeness.

Jilani, who represents the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized that the current democratic awakening was achieved through sacrifice and hardship. He reminded party activists that political power is not permanent and can change within hours, urging them to avoid misuse of power, oppression, or injustice. He further advised that actions harmful to personal life or the party should be avoided, stressing that no one is above the law.

During the event, Jilani also attended a Baul music performance at Bhatter Bagan in Unshia village and exchanged greetings with locals. Senior BNP leaders from Gopalganj district and local units were present. Jilani was elected MP on February 12, 2026, with a large margin.

The BNP-led alliance secured 212 out of 299 parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s 13th national election, representing about 71 percent of the total. The Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, or 26 percent, while independent candidates captured seven seats and Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one. Voting in one constituency was postponed. Across 299 constituencies, a total of 75.9 million votes were cast, with the BNP alliance receiving about 38 million votes, or roughly 50 percent. The Jamaat alliance obtained 28.25 million votes, or 37 percent, and other parties and independents shared 9.65 million votes, about 13 percent.

According to the report, 50 political parties participated in the election, but candidates from 43 parties failed to win any seats. Within the BNP alliance, one candidate each from BJP, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon won. Jamaat’s allies NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, and Khelafat Majlish won six, two, and one seats respectively, while other smaller allied parties failed to secure any victories.

The final results may change slightly once the postponed constituency’s outcome is added, the report noted.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to begin the process of bringing back Shakib Al Hasan to the national team starting today, confirmed BCB director Asif Akbar. He said that Shakib’s legal and financial paperwork, including case documents, has been prepared by his lawyer and will be submitted to the government on Sunday. Although the exact date of Shakib’s return remains uncertain, Akbar confirmed that communication with the player is ongoing and the formal process is now underway.

Akbar added that the BCB has requested the government to consider Shakib’s case, emphasizing that if selectors deem him eligible, he will be allowed to play. Following the 13th national parliamentary election, a political government is set to assume office, but Akbar expressed confidence that this transition will not complicate Shakib’s return. He also noted that statements from BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, indicate a flexible stance toward keeping politics out of sports and cultural activities.

The BCB’s latest board meeting had already discussed Shakib’s possible return, and today’s developments mark the formal start of that process.