Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s executive committee member Shishir Monir has announced that he will serve as the lawyer for the family of Ramisa, the child victim in a rape and murder case. He made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday night, confirming his decision to represent the family in court.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque has directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner to submit the investigation report within seven days regarding the rape and murder of Ramisa. Ministry sources said that the main accused, Sohel Rana, confessed in court to raping and killing Ramisa. The ministry also indicated that steps would be taken to ensure a speedy trial.

Following his confession under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Junayed, the court ordered Sohel Rana to be sent to jail. The case, filed by Ramisa’s father Abdul Hannan Mollah, names Sohel Rana, his wife Swapna Akter, and another unidentified person as accused, all of whom have been arrested and sent to prison by court order.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, was honored with a floral reception on May 21, 2026. The event took place at his office, where deans, department heads, institute directors, and representatives from teachers’, officers’, and employees’ associations greeted him sequentially. During an exchange with teachers, students, and staff, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of the country’s premier engineering universities and pledged to advance DUET globally through education, research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.

According to the Education Ministry’s notification signed by the Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Dr. Iqbal officially assumed office on May 14, 2026, with the approval of the President and Chancellor. Before joining DUET, he served as Vice-Chancellor of North East University Bangladesh, Sylhet, and held multiple administrative roles at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Sylhet Engineering College. He has over 34 years of professional experience, numerous international publications, and several awards recognizing his academic and research leadership.

A farmer named Chalim Uddin, aged 40, died after being struck by lightning in Joydharkandi village of Pakshimul Union, Sarail upazila, Brahmanbaria. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday when he went to the field to bring his cattle. During sudden rain and lightning, he was severely injured by a lightning strike. Locals rescued him and brought him home, where he was confirmed dead on the spot.

The death of Chalim Uddin, son of Nuru Mia, has cast a shadow of grief over the area. Local representatives and residents have expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family.

The report highlights the tragic impact of lightning incidents on rural communities, emphasizing the vulnerability of farmers working in open fields during sudden storms.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that all digital services will be designed to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. Speaking on May 21, 2026, at an event marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day at the BIDA Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said accessible websites and apps have already been developed so that no one is left behind. He emphasized that accessibility is a right, not charity, and that technology must align with human needs, abilities, and diversity.

The minister added that new technologies will help integrate persons with disabilities more actively into mainstream society, turning them into valuable assets for the nation. The ICT Division will take all necessary initiatives to ensure their dignified participation. State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said the government will fully support public and private initiatives promoting digital accessibility. ICT Division Secretary Kazi Anwar Hossain noted that Bangladesh’s digital progress will be complete only when every citizen can use digital services with dignity, freedom, and equality.

The event was attended by officials from a2i, Sightsavers, Friendship, and CRP, among others.

The National Doctors Forum (NDF) has called for gradually increasing Bangladesh’s public health expenditure to 5 percent of GDP in the national budget. The demand was made at a roundtable titled “National Health Budget 2026–27” held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Thursday. NDF leaders said the current allocation of only 0.7 percent of GDP is inadequate to meet public healthcare needs, forcing citizens to bear most medical costs themselves.

Economist Dr. Mizanur Rahman presented the keynote paper, noting that according to the World Health Organization, countries should spend at least 5 percent of GDP on health. He said about 70 percent of total health expenses in Bangladesh come directly from people’s pockets, creating financial risks for low- and middle-income groups. Participants, including lawmakers and health economists, emphasized that health should be treated as a long-term investment rather than an expense.

The NDF also proposed raising per capita health allocation to 100 dollars, expanding ICU, NICU, dialysis, cancer, and cardiac facilities at district levels, and introducing national health insurance. The forum recommended increased funding for medical education, rural health incentives, improved drug supply in public hospitals, and wider use of digital health and telemedicine.

The Islamic Foundation has announced the schedule for five Eid-ul-Azha congregations at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka. The first congregation will begin at 7:00 a.m., led by Mufti Md. Mizanur Rahman. The second will be at 8:00 a.m. with Dr. Maulana Waliur Rahman Khan, followed by the third at 9:00 a.m. led by Mufti Md. Abdullah. The fourth will start at 10:00 a.m. with Maulana Mohammad Nur Uddin, and the fifth and final congregation will be held at 10:45 a.m. led by Jubair Ahmad Al-Azhari. Each congregation will have one designated Mukkabbir.

If any of the designated imams are unable to attend, Md. Shahidul Islam will serve as the alternate imam. The Islamic Foundation has requested all concerned to arrive at the mosque before the scheduled time to perform their respective duties. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated nationwide on May 28.

The announcement ensures orderly arrangements for worshippers at the national mosque during one of the most significant religious events of the year.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a revised metro rail schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a press release signed by Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) Md Ahsan Ullah Sharif on May 21, the first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m., while the first train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 7:15 a.m. The last trains will depart at 9:30 p.m. from Uttara North and 10:10 p.m. from Motijheel.

During the holidays, trains will operate every 12 to 20 minutes depending on passenger demand, with approximately 140 trips daily using seven train sets. Ticket counters and vending machines will remain open from 6:40 a.m. to 9:20 p.m., except on Fridays when sales start later in the afternoon. After 9:20 p.m., all ticket counters will close, though new Rapid Pass cards can still be purchased during scheduled hours.

As in previous years, metro rail services will remain completely closed on Eid day itself, DMTCL confirmed in the announcement.

At a roundtable discussion held Thursday at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by human rights group Odhikar to mark International Week of the Disappeared 2026, prominent citizens, rights activists, politicians, lawyers, and members of parliament called for strong and transparent laws to address enforced disappearances and protect judicial independence. Speakers emphasized that delayed justice amounts to denial of justice and urged the government to bring all perpetrators of disappearances to trial.

NCP Member Secretary and MP Akhtar Hossain said only a small fraction of security personnel are directly involved in disappearances and demanded their prosecution. MP Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kasem criticized the current laws as ineffective and warned that public patience is running out. Former prosecutor Tazul Islam and retired Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi described the existing laws as inadequate and urged reforms to ensure accountability.

Odhikar’s Advocacy Director Taskin Fahmina added that strong legal frameworks would prevent impunity and help security forces operate responsibly, ensuring that human rights violations and disappearances do not recur.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has imposed financial penalties on the chairmen, directors, and senior officials of three publicly listed companies for breaching securities laws. The decision was made at a commission meeting held on May 19, 2026, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud, and announced through a press release on May 21.

Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries was fined for providing false information in its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Its chairman, managing director, and three directors were each fined Tk 2.5 million, while the chief financial officer and company secretary received smaller fines. Genex Infosys faced penalties for failing to distribute a declared 3 percent cash dividend for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, within the stipulated time. Aftab Automobiles was ordered to pay outstanding dividends within 30 days or face additional fines, including daily penalties for delays.

The BSEC’s actions underscore its ongoing enforcement of compliance standards among listed companies to protect investors and ensure transparency in Bangladesh’s capital market.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology’s (RUET) rover research and innovation team, Team Agrodut, has achieved 13th place globally in the Anatolian Rover Challenge 2026 (ARC 2026). The team also earned one of the highest design scores, securing 48.59 out of 50. The main phase of the competition will be held from July 29 to August 2 at the Middle East Technical University (METU) campus in Ankara, Turkey, where rover teams from around the world will participate.

Founded in 2017, Team Agrodut has consistently represented Bangladesh in international rover and space robotics competitions. It previously ranked sixth in the 2018 Indian Rover Challenge, 27th in the 2019 European Rover Challenge, and 11th globally in the 2023 International Rover Design Challenge, where it was Bangladesh’s top team. The group also reached the semifinals of IRDC 2025 and the finals of IRC 2025.

Beyond competitions, the team developed a bomb disposal robot for the Bangladesh Army in 2024, reflecting its practical engineering expertise. Team Agrodut aims to advance autonomous rover technology and inspire young innovators while preparing for future global contests.

A housewife named Sumaiya Akter Sumi confessed in court to killing private tutor Morium Begum in Chapainawabganj. Her statement was recorded under Section 164 by Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Ashraful Islam on Wednesday evening. Police confirmed the confession on Thursday morning. Sumi admitted that she struck Morium with a wooden stick and later suffocated her to death. The victim’s body was found on May 19 inside a sack at Sumi’s home in the Namoshonkorbati area.

According to Additional Superintendent of Police ANM Wasim Firoz, Morium used to tutor Sumi’s child and had asked to borrow money to buy a laptop. When Sumi could not lend the money, Morium gave her gold earrings to sell. Sumi sold them for 12,000 taka and spent part of the money, leading to an argument that ended in the killing. Police also arrested Sumi’s husband Rubel, her father-in-law Anwar Hossain, and goldsmith Dipak Saha, who admitted to buying the earrings.

Police recovered the wooden stick, the earrings, and 7,500 taka from the sale proceeds as evidence.

Tension erupted in Dhaka’s Kadamtali area after the alleged suicide of Sabikun Nahar Sukannya, a tenth-grade student of Bright School and College. Students accused teachers of publicly humiliating her during a model test on May 20, which they claim led to her taking her own life later that day. On Thursday morning, hundreds of students gathered in front of the school, demanding justice and accountability. During the protest, they attacked the institution’s chairman, Masud Hasan Liton, who was later rescued by police and taken to hospital.

Videos circulating on social media showed students chanting slogans and holding placards, while some broke down in tears demanding justice. The incident quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion online. Witnesses said several parents were also present, expressing concern over how students are treated in schools.

Police said an investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the suicide. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest. Education observers noted that the incident has reignited debate about mental health pressures and the need for counseling in educational institutions.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member Shishir Monir has said that abolishing the judicial secretariat was a blow to the judiciary and destroyed public trust in justice. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he called for the immediate reinstatement of a separate judicial secretariat to guarantee judicial independence and fair justice for citizens.

Monir explained that after a 2025 High Court ruling mandated the creation of a separate judicial secretariat within 90 days, the government issued an ordinance on November 30, 2025, and inaugurated the secretariat on December 11 under then Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed. However, the government later revoked the ordinance on April 10, 2026, following the publication of the detailed verdict. He said this reversal undermined judicial autonomy and placed judges under the control of the Law Ministry.

He argued that judges’ transfers, promotions, leave, and discipline should remain under the Supreme Court, not the Law Ministry, to preserve judicial independence. Monir warned that without such autonomy, lower court judges cannot work freely, and the justice system risks political interference.

Actress Toma Mirza has voiced strong condemnation following the rape and murder of a child named Ramisa in Mirpur, Dhaka. The incident has sparked nationwide anger and grief, with widespread calls on social media for swift justice and harsh punishment for the perpetrator. In a Facebook post, Toma demanded that justice for rape victims be delivered before their funerals, emphasizing the need for deterrent punishment so that such crimes are not even imagined.

She also questioned why lawyers defend accused rapists, expressing frustration over what she described as unnecessary investigations and delays. Referring to the victim as her own sister, Toma urged for justice on behalf of all who share in the collective grief.

According to the report, the arrested suspect, Sohel Rana, confessed in court to the crime and admitted to consuming yaba before committing the act.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated that the army had served in the field during the critical period of 2024 to meet national needs. As the situation has now stabilized, soldiers are gradually returning to their barracks. He said the nation would remember the army’s role during that difficult time with gratitude. The statement came on Thursday morning at the closing and award ceremony of the Bangladesh Army Firing Competition held at the Cumilla Cantonment.

Congratulating the winning and runner-up teams, the army chief praised the soldiers’ skill and dedication, noting their impressive performance in the competition despite serving in field duties for 18 consecutive months. The event, organized under the supervision of Headquarters 33 Infantry Division, began on May 16. A total of 17 teams from various formations, logistics areas, five independent brigades, and the Para Commando Brigade participated. The 17 Infantry Division won the championship, while the Para Commando Brigade became runner-up.

Senior army officials, including the Master General of the Ordnance, Commandant of Bangladesh Ordnance Factory, and area commanders from Cumilla and Sylhet, attended the ceremony.