A tribunal has ordered the completion of the investigation into war crimes allegations against Sheikh Hasina by April 20. The case pertains to crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July-August massacres.

The three-member tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, issued the directive following a petition by Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam. Previously, on December 17, the court had instructed investigators to complete the probe within two months against Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others.

Sheikh Hasina and her associates are currently facing trial on charges of orchestrating mass killings, with allegations that at least 1,500 people were murdered.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the appeal challenging the High Court’s ruling that declared Jamaat-e-Islami’s political registration illegal. The case is on Tuesday’s cause list before Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench. Earlier, a second hearing on the matter took place on January 14, with the next hearing scheduled for January 21. However, it was postponed due to a judge’s illness. Today’s proceedings will determine the fate of the Islamist party’s electoral registration.

With no resolution in sight regarding water-sharing with India, Bangladesh has initiated the Teesta Mega Project, aiming to improve the livelihoods of over 20 million people across five districts. While the project is essential for Bangladesh’s water security, it has triggered geopolitical tensions between China and India. Initially, China expressed keen interest in funding and executing the project. However, the Hasina administration later shifted the project toward India, straining relations with China. Recently, China has renewed its interest in the initiative. If implemented, the project will deepen the Teesta River by 10 meters, ensuring year-round navigation, land reclamation, flood protection, agricultural restoration, and the establishment of river ports. The transformation is expected to significantly uplift the socio-economic conditions of the region.

A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office states that prolonged one-party rule has led to the politicization of state institutions, prioritizing political loyalty over professionalism in recruitment and promotions. The report highlights that police officers were appointed and promoted not based on merit, integrity, or competence but on party allegiance. In some cases, even family backgrounds linked to the ruling Awami League were scrutinized before recruitment. The UN report further claims that appointments to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and above required direct approval from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Residents of Ramgati, Laxmipur, have accused the police of failing to arrest a suspect in an attempted murder case. Despite the suspect, Mehraj, openly roaming in the area, the police claim he is in hiding. The victim, Zillur Rahman, was severely injured in an attack led by Mehraj and later filed an attempted murder case. Although Mehraj has not obtained bail, the police have not arrested him.

Sixteen individuals, including former ministers Anisul Haque, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Dipu Moni, Shajahan Khan, Abdur Razzak, and adviser Salman F. Rahman, have been indicted for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August genocide. On December 16, the International Crimes Tribunal granted an extension until February 18 to submit the investigation report. The accused were presented in court today.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Abdul Hafiz, has stated that military operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts will continue until the Kuki-Chin National Front is completely eradicated. Speaking at a press conference after a district commissioner conference, he highlighted that the armed group’s violence has halted tourism in several regions, causing job losses among local youth and increasing their vulnerability to militancy. He confirmed that seven soldiers have been killed in recent operations and vowed to continue the crackdown.

Chowdhury Imrul Hasan, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control in Comilla, has been accused of corruption and bribery. Over the past four years, he allegedly built an empire of bribery and amassed substantial wealth while falsely claiming to be from Gopalganj. He reportedly provided gifts to Awami League leaders and activists. His social media was filled with pictures of Awami League figures, but after a shift in political power, he deleted them all. Sources have also uncovered multiple extortion cases linked to him and his associates, Sahabuddin Ahmed and Kamrun Nahar.

Jamaat-e-Islami will stage nationwide protests today demanding the release of their assistant secretary general, ATM Azharul Islam. Secretary General Mia Ghulam Parwar has urged party activists to make the protests successful. The demonstration will be led by Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman at Paltan Intersection at 4 PM on Tuesday. In a statement, Parwar alleged that ATM Azharul Islam has been imprisoned for over 13 years and subjected to physical and mental torture without receiving medical treatment.

Rabbi, a young man from Tarail, Kishoreganj, was shot during the July uprising at Mirpur-10. After recovering, he returned to his village but has now cycled back to Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial Sculpture to join protests demanding the Awami League's ban. He stated, "A bullet is still in my head after six months, and the 'Killer League' is still not banned." He fears retribution if the Awami League returns to power and hopes the ban will be enacted before he goes back home. The National Revolutionary Council has announced that Rabbi’s surgery will be arranged by Tuesday.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has finalized a draft regulation stating that selected or recommended candidates for government jobs, including the BCS, cannot be removed from the gazette list unless they have pending criminal charges. Additionally, if a candidate is excluded, authorities must provide a valid reason, and the candidate will have the right to appeal the decision. This regulation was finalized in a PSC meeting on Monday and will now be sent to the Ministry of Public Administration for approval.

BNP executive committee member Hummam Quader Chowdhury has warned that the Awami League plans to take control of streets with marches, but BNP is prepared to respond. He urged the identification of those responsible for 16 years of oppression. Speaking at an event advocating the implementation of the 31-point reform plan, he recalled his seven-month imprisonment and stated that his father endured even greater suffering. "That is why people remember him as 'Bhaijan,'" he added.

Aminul Haque, convenor of BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, has stated that Bangladesh has been devastated by 15 years of autocratic rule, making true state reforms impossible without removing its remnants from governmental institutions. He emphasized that democracy and fundamental rights are yet to be fully established. To address this, BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has proposed a 31-point reform plan.

A former officer of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Additional SP Alep Uddin, infamous for his role in extrajudicial killings, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) on November 12. Known as a “target shooter” within his own force, he allegedly killed people in staged “crossfire” incidents while serving in Narayanganj’s RAB-11. Reports suggest he even framed innocent individuals as militants to justify executions. Disturbingly, he has been accused of repeatedly raping a detainee’s wife after blackmailing her with threats of crossfire. The victim ultimately lost her mental stability and died. Despite these allegations, Alep Uddin had previously received state honors. He was also involved in violently suppressing public protests during the recent mass uprising.

Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, Adviser on Religious Affairs, visited the historic Rankut Bonashram Buddhist Monastery in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, on Monday at 3 PM. The monastery’s chief abbot, Sri Jyotisen Mahathero, along with local Buddhist leaders, welcomed him with floral greetings. Recalling his past, the adviser mentioned that he had first visited the monastery while pursuing his master’s degree at Chittagong University in 1983-84. He had also written three articles on the monastery’s history for Bangladesh Times during that period. He expressed his delight at revisiting the site after so many years and pledged financial assistance for its development. He also signed the visitor’s book, praising the monastery’s contributions.