The government has abolished the Supreme Court Secretariat, disregarding the July Charter commitment, and reassigned 15 officers from the Secretariat back to the Ministry of Law. The decision was formalized through separate gazettes issued by the Law and Justice Division under presidential order on Tuesday. The officers’ return was backdated to April 10, one day after the Parliament repealed the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance.

According to the ministry’s order, the 15 judicial service members will remain attached to the Law and Justice Division until further posting. The Secretariat had been formed under an interim government ordinance in 2025 following a High Court directive to establish an independent administrative body for the judiciary. However, the new government later repealed the ordinance through the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Bill passed on April 9.

The move reverses earlier efforts to ensure administrative and financial independence of the judiciary, as recommended by the Judicial Reform Commission and supported by former Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. The long-standing constitutional directive for separation of the judiciary from the executive remains a central issue in this development.

Noakhali Superintendent of Police TM Mosharraf Hossain stated that spreading rumors on social media constitutes a cybercrime. He made the remark on Tuesday afternoon during a meeting with the newly elected leaders of the Noakhali Journalists’ Union at the police superintendent’s conference room. Earlier in the day, the union leaders met the district commissioner and exchanged greetings at the district administration office.

During the police meeting, discussions covered various crimes occurring in the district and its police stations. The superintendent highlighted offenses involving false information, rumor-mongering, character assassination, and defamation through platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and fake online identities. He said that both perpetrators and instigators of such acts would be brought under the law. The police chief also assured journalists of prompt access to accurate information regarding any criminal incidents.

Additional police officials and leaders of the Noakhali Journalists’ Union attended the meeting, which emphasized cooperation between law enforcement and the media in addressing cyber and local crimes.

Two outsiders were detained by the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) administration on Tuesday evening after allegedly harassing a female student near the campus’s Kilo Road area. Witnesses said the men made offensive remarks toward several female students, prompting immediate intervention by university security personnel who took the suspects to the administrative building. The detainees were identified as residents of Chhatak in Sunamganj district.

According to university officials, the two were released after signing a written pledge not to repeat such behavior, in the presence of their guardians and relatives. Additional Registrar Foysal Ahmed was present during the release process. One of the accused admitted his wrongdoing and promised not to engage in similar acts again.

The victim expressed concern that such incidents are becoming frequent on campus and criticized the practice of releasing offenders after written pledges, arguing that it encourages repeat offenses. She urged the administration to impose exemplary punishment to deter future harassment cases.

A protest rally and human chain were held in the Aruail area of Sarail upazila, Brahmanbaria, on Tuesday noon to denounce alleged persecution of Muslims in India. The event took place near the Aruail CNG station and was attended by residents from Aruail and Pakshimul unions, including religious scholars, students, and people from various professions.

Participants accused Indian authorities of increasing incidents of citizenship deprivation, demolition of homes, shops, mosques, and madrasas, as well as bulldozer-led evictions, border killings, and violence against Muslims. Speakers described these actions as severe violations of human rights and urged the international community to take effective measures to stop them.

The gathering was presided over by Maulana Abdul Malek and conducted by Maulana Dr. M A Mamun. Several local religious leaders and community representatives addressed the event, emphasizing unity and peaceful protest against the reported abuses.

An Indian Assistant High Commission officer, Narendra Dhar, aged 38, was found dead at his residence in the Khulshi area of Chattogram on Tuesday morning. Police recovered the body around 9:30 a.m. and sent it to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Authorities initially suggested a possible cardiac arrest but said the exact cause would be confirmed after the post-mortem report. The incident drew attention after police reported that the Indian mission requested confidentiality about the death.

According to police and hospital sources, Indian mission officials were active throughout the recovery and autopsy process, reportedly urging that the matter remain low-profile and that the post-mortem be completed quickly. Forensic doctors declined to comment officially, while investigators said their work was limited because the death occurred within a foreign mission’s premises. Law enforcement officials cited diplomatic sensitivity under the Vienna Convention but emphasized that it should not restrict investigation.

The absence of the final autopsy report has left the cause of death uncertain, while the secrecy surrounding the case has fueled public speculation and administrative discussions.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman has warned that no one will be allowed to manipulate the dollar exchange rate. He stated that punitive measures will be taken against anyone buying or selling dollars above the official rate. The directive was issued during a meeting with treasury officials from all commercial banks held on Tuesday morning at the central bank’s Jahangir Alam Conference Room in Dhaka.

The meeting, organized by the Foreign Exchange Policy Department, discussed the current and future state of the foreign currency market. According to participants, the governor emphasized that all dollar transactions must remain transparent and within regulatory limits. He also ordered banks to stop selling dollars in the forward market and cautioned against any actions that could destabilize the market.

Treasury officials later suggested that a clear list defining what constitutes manipulation would help ensure compliance. The meeting ended without a final decision. Bangladesh Bank had introduced a market-based exchange rate in May of the previous year as part of an IMF loan condition, with the interbank rate now at 122.75 taka per US dollar.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over a high-level meeting on the development and environmental conservation of the Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake. The meeting was held on Tuesday, May 19, at the Cabinet Division in the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat. Officials discussed measures to prevent water pollution, maintain ecological balance, enhance the lake’s beauty, and improve civic amenities around the area.

During the meeting, relevant officials presented the current condition of the lake and shared their opinions on sustainable development plans and initiatives. The session was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Suman, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, administrators of Dhaka South and North City Corporations, and senior officials from related ministries and departments.

The discussions focused on coordinated efforts among government agencies to ensure long-term environmental protection and urban improvement around the lake area.

A violent incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the 36 No. Madhya Sidya Government Primary School field in Damudya, Shariatpur, during the inauguration of the National Primary Education Medal competition. Sidya Union Parishad Chairman Syed Abdul Hadi Jillu was attacked while the national anthem was being played, leaving him and several others, including the school’s head teacher, injured. The event was temporarily halted due to the unrest.

According to the chairman, the attack was led by Md. Jasim Bepari, vice president of Sidya Union BNP, accompanied by several associates. Teachers and witnesses said the assault began suddenly during the flag-raising ceremony, causing panic among students. The head teacher confirmed that over 250 students from five schools had gathered for the competition when the violence erupted.

Police from Damudya station arrived quickly to control the situation and later allowed the competition to resume. The accused BNP leader’s statement was not available at the time of reporting.

The Chandpur District unit of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad has expelled Engineer Jasim Uddin, convener of the Matlab South Upazila branch, from his position. The decision was made at an emergency meeting held on the night of May 18, 2026, following allegations that he joined the political party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

According to the source, the action was taken under Article 29(ঙ) of the organization’s constitution. The meeting was convened under the telephone instruction of Central Command Council convener Md. Naeem Jahangir and with the approval of Chandpur District convener Bir Muktijoddha Shahidul Alam Rob. The session was chaired by joint convener Bir Muktijoddha Sirajul Islam Borkandaz and conducted by member secretary Bir Muktijoddha Mujibur Rahman, with all district members present.

A letter regarding the expulsion decision has been sent to the Central Command Council. The move came two days after Jasim Uddin formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami at a local event organized by the party on May 16 in Matlab South.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that every village in Bangladesh will become a center of socio-economic development through the Ansar and Village Defense Party (VDP). In a Facebook post on Tuesday marking the 46th National Assembly of the force, he congratulated its members and praised their courage and dedication. He highlighted their significant role in ensuring a free and fair 13th National Parliamentary Election held in February.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the 670 martyrs of the force who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War. He said Bangladesh has embarked on a democratic journey after more than a decade of authoritarian rule, and the current government is working to institutionalize democracy through equality, human dignity, and social justice. He emphasized the Ansar-VDP’s vital role in building a self-reliant, humane, and secure nation.

Rahman also noted the force’s contributions to environmental protection, disaster management, and national security, as well as its training programs to turn youth into skilled entrepreneurs, supporting a production-oriented and self-reliant society.

Long-distance bus operations from Naogaon to Bogura, Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other routes resumed after an eight-hour suspension following an assault on a bus driver. The disruption began early Tuesday after the driver of an Ekota Paribahan bus was attacked by several youths at the Naogaon bus stand. Services restarted around 5:30 p.m. after several rounds of discussions between workers and authorities.

According to transport workers, the incident occurred when the driver was turning the bus after dropping passengers. The attackers also attempted to vandalize the ticket counter. In protest, transport workers halted all long-distance services, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Abu Bakkar Siddique Nannu, convener of the Naogaon Motor Workers’ Union and district BNP president, said the issue was resolved through discussions and assured that those responsible for the attack would face action. Local administration also pledged to arrest the perpetrators.

The resumption of services restored normal transport operations in the district after hours of disruption, easing travel difficulties for passengers.

The historic Chuknagar Genocide Day will be observed on May 20 in Khulna’s Dumuria upazila to commemorate the mass killing that took place during the 1971 Liberation War. On that day, Pakistani forces opened fire on thousands of unarmed civilians gathered in Chuknagar village, killing several thousand people. The massacre is recognized as one of the largest in the history of global liberation wars and genocides.

According to the account, thousands of people from different parts of greater Khulna had gathered in Chuknagar on May 19, 1971, intending to cross into India. The next morning, Pakistani troops arrived from Satkhira and began indiscriminate shooting, killing men, women, and children. The area turned into a silent field of death within hours.

In 2005, the then BNP government acquired land to build a memorial at the site, with plans to develop it into a tourist center. However, subsequent governments, including the Awami League, did not implement further development, leaving the memorial largely neglected despite repeated official visits and promises.

Helena Begum, arrested in connection with the murder of Saudi expatriate Mokarram Mia, confessed her involvement before a Dhaka court. The victim’s dismembered body was found wrapped in polythene in the capital’s Manda area. As Helena’s daughter Halima Akter is a minor, the court ordered her placement in the Konabari Juvenile Development Center in Gazipur. The confession was recorded by Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin, and Helena was later sent to jail.

According to investigators, Mokarram, a 38-year-old from Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj, returned to Bangladesh on May 13 without informing his family to meet Taslima Akter, with whom he had an extramarital relationship. He visited the rented home of Helena, a friend of Taslima, where a dispute arose over marriage and money. Following a violent altercation, Helena, Taslima, and Halima allegedly killed Mokarram, dismembered his body, and disposed of the parts in garbage piles near the house.

Police identified the body through fingerprints and arrested Helena and Halima based on intelligence. The investigation continues under Mugda Police Station.

An armed robbery took place at the house of expatriate Md. Billal Hossain in Chirka Chandpur village of Faridganj upazila, Chandpur, late Monday night. The robbers entered the building by cutting the window grill, assaulted Billal’s wife Khurshida Begum, and held her hostage at gunpoint. They looted around Tk 10 lakh worth of valuables, including three bhori of gold ornaments, Tk 3 lakh in cash, two smartphones, eleven foreign blankets, and cosmetics. Neighbors called the national emergency number 999 after hearing her screams, and she was taken to the upazila health complex for treatment.

Faridganj police visited the scene after receiving the complaint. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Helal Uddin said that initial investigation suggests the robbers assaulted the woman during the incident. Police are continuing the investigation to identify and arrest those involved.

Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to bring the perpetrators under the law as the investigation progresses.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Md. Shamsul Haque Jewel to death for murdering his stepmother, Saleha Begum, nearly two decades ago in the capital’s Kafrul area. The verdict was delivered by Judge Md. Zahidul Islam of the 13th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court on Tuesday. Jewel, who remains absconding, was also fined Tk 50,000, and an arrest warrant was issued against him. The court ordered that the death sentence be executed by hanging, subject to approval by the High Court Division.

According to the case details, Jewel killed his stepmother on the night of September 18, 2005, after she refused to give him money for traveling abroad. Witnesses, including the victim’s children, testified that they saw Jewel leaving the house with a machete after the attack. Saleha Begum was taken to a local clinic and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where she was declared dead. Her husband, Md. A. Haque, filed a murder case the following day, and police submitted the charge sheet in March 2006 after investigation.

The court heard testimonies from 14 prosecution witnesses before delivering the judgment, concluding a legal process that lasted nearly 20 years.