A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to Md. Abdus Sobhan, a cartographer in the Air Traffic Management division of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and his wife, Mrs. Salma. The order was issued on Tuesday, March 19, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Faiz following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the petition filed by ACC Assistant Director Md. Mahbub Morshed, the couple allegedly acquired and possessed assets worth Tk 46,50,387 beyond their known sources of income and concealed information about assets worth Tk 19,32,000 in their tax filings. The ACC had filed a case against them in November 2023 under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

The investigator stated that under section 309(3)(a)(i)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 2023, tax records cannot be seized without a court order. The court granted the request to seize the documents to ensure proper investigation.

Small and marginal traders across Bangladesh have erupted in anger after the government sharply increased market periphery lease fees from 260 taka to 6,000 taka, a 23-fold jump. The new rates were set under the “Hat o Bazar Sthapan o Byabosthapona Bidhimala-2025,” issued by the Ministry of Land on October 6, 2025. Traders described the move as a threat to their survival and warned of nationwide protests if the decision is not withdrawn.

According to the report, traders have submitted multiple written appeals to the land minister but claim no effective action has been taken. Many argue that the sudden and steep increase is unjustified, noting that previous adjustments between 1990 and 2023 ranged only from 5 to 20 percent. Local officials in Uzirpur said they are bound to implement the central policy and cannot alter it.

Trader associations are preparing for larger demonstrations, including rallies and human chains, demanding a revision of the new fee structure. Experts warn that such a drastic rise could severely disrupt rural markets and damage the grassroots economy.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shah Alam has announced that local government elections in Bangladesh are likely to begin in phases from September or October this year. He made the statement on Tuesday at his office after the formal joining of MR Islam Swadhin as the administrator of Bogura City Corporation.

The minister said the government plans to complete five types of elections within the next year, covering union councils, municipalities, upazilas, district councils, and city corporations. He added that the City Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026, has already been passed in parliament, under which mayor and councillor elections will be held using non-partisan symbols. The election schedule for Bogura City Corporation will be announced along with 12 other city corporations.

Mir Shah Alam also stated that to strengthen the operations of new city corporations, an initial allocation of 30 to 35 crore taka will be provided in the current fiscal year, including funds for Bogura City Corporation.

Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government aims to transform Bangladesh’s jute sector from its current export earnings of about $1 billion into a $5–7 billion industry. He made the statement on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Jute Diversification Promotion Center’s Multifarious Jute Products Fair 2026 in Dhaka. The event was chaired by the ministry’s secretary, Abdun Naser Khan, with State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam attending as a special guest.

The minister highlighted that in 1972–73, jute and jute goods accounted for nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s export income, but the sector’s share has since declined. To revive its potential, the government has adopted time-bound plans focusing on quality seed production, technological advancement, and product diversification. He emphasized achieving self-sufficiency in jute seed production, reducing import dependence, and promoting high-value product design and innovation.

Muktadir added that collaboration with leading Chinese universities is planned to enhance productivity, seed development, and market-oriented design. A coordinated roadmap involving the Jute Diversification Promotion Center and private partners is being prepared, while state-owned jute mills are set to be operated under private management for modernization and profitability.

The Bangladesh government has stated it will implement the court’s final verdict regarding Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for genocide and crimes against humanity. Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said that if India hands over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, she will receive legal protection. He made the remarks at a press conference at the Department of Information in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon, attended by Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad.

The information minister said Sheikh Hasina’s downfall occurred during the July mass uprising due to her alleged oppressive and fascist actions. He emphasized that the current government aims to establish justice for all and will allow the law to proceed independently. The minister added that no extrajudicial actions will be taken for political reasons, contrasting this with the previous Awami League government.

Officials reiterated that the government’s approach will be guided strictly by the court’s decisions, ensuring due legal process if Sheikh Hasina is returned to Bangladesh.

Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1, Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, personally joined a special anti-drug operation in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district on the night of May 18. Despite heavy rain, the operation was conducted in Ramrayer Kandi area under Umedpur Union, leading to the arrest of three individuals with drugs. A mobile court later sentenced each of them to two years in prison.

According to local sources, the detainees were identified as Abdul Ali, 63, his wife Shahida, 48, and Md. Wasim Aknon, 40. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shaikha Sultana led the mobile court, which also recovered drug paraphernalia and cash during the raid. MP Hanzala stated that eliminating drugs from society requires collective effort and reaffirmed that such operations will continue.

Local residents said the MP’s direct participation in the field boosted public confidence and created fear among drug dealers, bringing a sense of relief to the community.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will form a media commission to address what he described as disorder in the country's media management. Speaking at a press conference at the Department of Information on Tuesday, May 19, he said a committee will be established by June, and a related report will be submitted to the Prime Minister by July.

During the same briefing, the minister also discussed several other issues, including the spread of measles, which he attributed to the negligence of the previous government. He said the current administration has procured necessary vaccines and will soon begin distributing health cards. So far, 53,096 families have received family cards.

Swapan further stated that despite a sharp rise in global fuel prices, domestic prices have been kept at a tolerable level and that the country currently has adequate fuel reserves.

A woman was killed after coming into contact with an electric trap set to deter wild elephants in Lama upazila of Bandarban. The incident occurred early Tuesday in the South Haydarnashi area of Fasiakhali Union, inside an orchard owned by Gias Uddin. The deceased was identified as Ruby Akter, 38, wife of Abdus Shukkur from the same village. Police recovered the body after being informed of the incident.

According to local accounts, wild elephants had been damaging croplands in the area, prompting Gias Uddin to install an electric trap around his orchard to protect it. When Ruby Akter entered the field early in the morning, she accidentally came into contact with the live wire and died on the spot. Police said legal action would be taken regarding the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about possible charges or preventive measures to avoid similar accidents in the future.

Around fifty thousand landless people are living in Urirchar, a coastal island under Noakhali district, without legal ownership of the land they inhabit. Despite having homes, roads, and markets, residents say they have no land registered in their names. Many claim they face constant threats, lawsuits, and attacks from land grabbers, leaving them in fear and uncertainty. The residents have urged the government to allocate land based on the survey conducted under the Char Development and Settlement Project (CDSP).

Local residents, including Rahima Akter, Belal Mia, and Abdur Rahman, described years of hardship, displacement by river erosion, and ongoing intimidation by influential groups allegedly using fake documents to seize land. They expressed determination to defend their homes, calling the island their only refuge. Landless leader Abu Bakkar Siddique Nasu Majhi appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene and ensure fair land distribution.

Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam stated that many landless families have already received land allocations and that the authorities are verifying the legitimacy of claims in Urirchar to provide land to genuine and vulnerable families soon.

Students at Rajshahi University and Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur are struggling to access adequate medical care due to severe shortages of doctors, equipment, and essential medicines. The Rajshahi University Medical Center, established in 1958, currently operates with only 21 doctors against 36 sanctioned posts, lacking specialists such as gynecologists and pathologists. Students report long waits, limited medicine supplies, and inadequate emergency services. University officials acknowledge the crisis, citing chronic understaffing and administrative delays in recruitment.

At Begum Rokeya University, the medical center remains at a primary level even after 17 years of establishment, with only four doctors and one nurse serving nearly 9,000 people. The center lacks 24-hour service, modern diagnostic tools, and specialist doctors. Students complain of having to seek treatment outside the campus at additional cost. University authorities admit the need for infrastructure expansion and secondary-level medical facilities to meet growing demand.

Both universities have pledged to improve medical services, but immediate action remains uncertain as recruitment and modernization plans are still pending.

Administrative and academic activities at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur have been halted for six consecutive days due to student protests over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. The unrest began after a government notification on Thursday appointed Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as DUET’s new VC. Students have locked the main gate, staged demonstrations, and declared the new VC unwelcome, demanding cancellation of his appointment and fulfillment of three specific demands.

University sources said that despite a call for a blockade program, few students were seen participating by late morning. A case has been filed against 250 unidentified individuals, creating fear of arrest among students. The main gate remains locked, though a side gate is open for limited access by staff and faculty. Clashes between student groups on Sunday left at least 15 people, including police, injured.

Students argue that the vice-chancellor should be appointed from DUET’s own faculty, citing their deeper understanding of the institution’s academic and administrative challenges.

A mobile court in Lama upazila of Bandarban district sentenced Lokman Hossain, aged 35, to six months of imprisonment for illegally cutting hills. The operation took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Bashkhaillya Jhiri area following a report published in the newspaper Amar Desh. Lokman Hossain, son of Saleh Ahmed from Yangcha area, was found guilty of using two excavators to cut and sell soil from about 10 acres of hill land for brick kiln construction.

The report titled “Preparation to build brick kiln by cutting 10 acres of hill in Lama” was published on Monday on Amar Desh’s online edition, drawing the attention of the upazila and district administrations. Following this, the administration conducted the drive and took legal action against the offender.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Moin Uddin stated that there would be no leniency for those destroying the environment and that such drives would continue in the public interest.

Three technicians were seriously injured when an air conditioner compressor pipe exploded during repair work at a hall room of the Engineering Institute in Dhaka’s Ramna area on Tuesday afternoon. The victims were rescued and admitted to the National Burn Institute. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., leaving one of the technicians, Md. Mamun, with burns covering 35 percent of his body. Doctors described his condition as critical.

According to eyewitness and colleague Abdul Malek, the explosion happened suddenly while the technicians were repairing the air conditioner. The injured were identified as Md. Mamun, 38, Mohammad Rusul, 30, and Ratan Chandra, 32. Local residents and coworkers quickly transported them to the hospital for treatment.

Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman of the National Burn Institute confirmed the extent of their injuries and said all three are receiving treatment. The families of the injured have demanded full medical support. Authorities have evacuated the hall room and ordered a safety inspection following the explosion.

A private tutor was beaten to death with a tube-well handle in Chapainawabganj’s municipal area on Monday night. The incident occurred at Adhirnengra Mor, where teacher Morium Begum had gone to give lessons to a student. Police said the attack led to her death on the spot. The accused, identified as Fomi Khatun, allegedly carried out the assault.

According to police and local sources, Morium Begum, wife of Abul Kalam from Choukpara area, was teaching Fomi’s daughter when the attack took place. Fomi had previously faced allegations of drugging women to steal their gold ornaments. Locals suspect the killing may have been motivated by an attempt to take Morium’s jewelry.

Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain of Sadar Model Police Station confirmed that the body was recovered and sent to the district hospital morgue. Two individuals have been detained for questioning as part of the investigation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to recover all illegally occupied government land and bring it under full state control without compromise. He issued the order to Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam while visiting various stalls at the 'Land Service Fair 2026' in Tejgaon on Tuesday. The prime minister also assured full government support to the Dhaka district administration in its land recovery efforts.

During the visit, Rahman praised the district administration for successfully reclaiming about one acre of government land in Lalbagh that had been under illegal occupation for over 20 years. The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam on May 13, drew widespread local attention and was described by residents as a bold and unprecedented move. The prime minister also commended the launch of the 'Hello DC' service aimed at simplifying public access to administrative services.

At the inauguration of the fair, compensation checks totaling Tk 366.78 million were distributed among 88 individuals for land acquisition. Dhaka district currently leads the country in e-mutation applications and disposals, with 23,063 of 30,000 applications resolved in the past month.