A Dhaka court has again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam fixed April 1 as the new date after the Police Bureau of Investigation’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Md Azizul Haque, failed to submit the report on the scheduled day. The prosecution’s Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam Russell confirmed the development.

The case, filed by Runi’s brother after the couple’s killing on February 11, 2012, has seen repeated delays and transfers among investigative agencies. Initially handled by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police, it was later moved to the Detective Branch, then to the Rapid Action Battalion, and finally to the Police Bureau of Investigation following High Court orders. In 2024, the High Court directed the formation of a four-member high-level task force led by the PBI chief to complete the probe within six months.

Among the accused, Tanvir Rahman Khan is on bail, while Palash Rudra Pal remains absconding after securing bail. The rest are in custody.

Hasnat Abdullah, the NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region and a candidate representing an 11-party alliance in Cumilla-4 (Debidwar), has alleged that the Election Commission’s decision to ban mobile phones at polling centers is part of a conspiracy to steal votes. He made the remarks on Tuesday at an election rally held at Bhaisherkot Eidgah field in Debidwar upazila.

During his speech, Hasnat argued that prohibiting mobile phones on election day would prevent citizen journalists from exposing irregularities. He said that in July, only a few media outlets were allowed to report freely, while mobile journalists played a key role in delivering real news to the public. He demanded that the Election Commission withdraw the mobile ban to ensure transparency and free news coverage.

The rally was conducted by expatriate Masud Parvez Sohag and attended by local leaders from NCP and Jamaat, including Jahangir Alam, Saiful Islam Shahid, and Professor Shahidul Islam.

The ongoing strike at Chattogram Port, called to protest the leasing of the NCT terminal to a foreign company and disciplinary actions against workers, has been suspended until February 15. The Port Protection Struggle Council announced the suspension late Sunday night through a press release signed by coordinators Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon. The statement said the decision was made to help stabilize market prices ahead of the 13th national election and the upcoming Ramadan. Workers were instructed to return to work from 8 a.m. Monday.

The council noted that workers felt reassured after the government’s shipping adviser and BIDA chairman declared that the port would not be leased to foreign entities during the current administration. However, concern spread among workers after the port authority temporarily suspended 16 strike leaders and canceled their housing. Following the withdrawal of the blockade, container handling and cargo transport resumed, restoring normal operations at the port.

According to port officials, vessel movements and cargo deliveries have returned to normal, bringing relief to the country’s import and export sectors after nine days of disruption.

According to a survey by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy (IILD), the 'Yes' vote is projected to win the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12 with 89.6 percent of the votes. The findings were announced on February 9 at Fars Hotel and Resort in Dhaka by IILD Executive Director Shafiul Alam Shaheen. The survey covered all 300 parliamentary constituencies and included responses from 63,615 voters, of whom 57.59 percent were men and 42.41 percent women.

The results show that 92.9 percent of respondents expressed interest in voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, while 4.4 percent said they would not vote and 2.7 percent remained undecided. Among those aware of the referendum, 89.6 percent said they would vote 'Yes' and 9.1 percent 'No'. However, 25.2 percent of surveyed voters reported being unaware of the referendum.

The survey suggests strong public support for the 'Yes' option ahead of the February 12 referendum, reflecting high voter engagement and awareness levels across the country.

A total of 153 officers of the Bangladesh Police have been promoted from sub-inspector to inspector ranks ahead of the upcoming national election. The promotions were approved through three separate circulars signed by Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam on Sunday, though the decision was made public later. According to the circulars, 100 unarmed sub-inspectors, 47 armed sub-inspectors, and 6 police sergeants were elevated to inspector positions in their respective categories.

The announcement comes just days before the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12. The timing places the promotions within a sensitive pre-election period, as law enforcement agencies prepare for nationwide deployment and security duties.

The source did not specify the criteria for selection or the distribution of the newly promoted officers across regions, but the move formally expands the inspector-level leadership within the Bangladesh Police ahead of the national vote.

The government has issued the 'Dhaka Central University Ordinance, 2026', establishing a new university to oversee higher education and research management for seven public colleges in Dhaka. The ordinance was published in the official gazette by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Sunday, February 8. Although the draft proposed dividing the colleges into four schools, the final version retains each college’s individual identity while linking them academically to Dhaka Central University.

The seven colleges included are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College. These institutions were previously affiliated with the National University before being brought under Dhaka University in 2017. Students had long demanded a separate university, citing academic harassment under Dhaka University.

Students described the formation of Dhaka Central University as a significant advancement in higher education and the fulfillment of their longstanding demand.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 11 bank accounts belonging to former Ekattor Television CEO Mozammel Haque Babu, his wife, daughter, and related entities. The accounts reportedly contain a total of 39 million taka. The order was issued on Monday, February 9, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the ACC’s application, Deputy Director Bayezidur Rahman Khan stated that Mozammel Babu and his family had acquired several movable assets without a clear source of income. The petition alleged attempts to transfer or conceal these assets, which could constitute an offense under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. To ensure a fair investigation, the ACC requested the court to block the accounts and prevent any transfer of ownership.

The court granted the request after a hearing, directing that the accounts remain frozen during the ongoing inquiry into the alleged unexplained wealth.

Suraiya Akter Jahan, Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division, has been appointed as the new administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The appointment was formalized through a notification signed on Monday morning by Mahbuba Irene, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. The decision follows the removal of Mohammad Ejaz from the position of DNCC administrator.

According to the notification issued by the City Corporation-1 branch of the ministry, the appointment was made under Section 25A(1) of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. Suraiya Akter Jahan will exercise the powers and perform the duties of the mayor until further notice. She will carry out this role as an additional responsibility alongside her current position in the Local Government Division.

Mohammad Ejaz, Chairman of the River and Delta Research Center, had been serving as DNCC administrator since February 12 of the previous year, before being replaced by the new appointment.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the Election Commission Secretariat announced on Monday that the commission will withdraw its restriction preventing journalists from entering polling centers with mobile phones. The assurance came amid widespread criticism following a directive issued the previous night that prohibited mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026.

The earlier directive, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam of the Election Management and Coordination-1 branch, allowed only presiding officers, police in charge, and two designated Ansar members using the “Election Security 2026” app to carry mobile phones inside polling centers. The instruction had been circulated to divisional commissioners, regional election officers, and all deputy commissioners and returning officers.

Voting is set to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, 2026. The Election Commission’s assurance suggests a possible revision of the earlier decision before polling day.

Judges Naima Haider and Mamunur Rahman have resigned from their positions after being barred from judicial duties following the 2024 mass uprising. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Shafiqul Islam. Justice Mamunur Rahman submitted his resignation via email from Canada, while Justice Naima Haider handed in a handwritten resignation letter.

According to the report, both judges had previously faced allegations of corruption and politically biased verdicts during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It was reported that the Supreme Judicial Council had found the allegations against them to be proven.

Their resignations mark a significant development in the judiciary, which has faced scrutiny over allegations of misconduct and political influence in recent years.

NCP convener Nahid Islam has warned Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) of severe consequences if any bias occurs during the February 12 election. Speaking at an 11-party campaign rally in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur on Monday, he said the current commission could face a worse outcome than the one during the Hasina era if it engages in partiality. He also cautioned that any attempt to manipulate votes, blackout media, or restrict public access to information laws would not be accepted.

Nahid Islam, who is contesting from Dhaka-11 under the 11-party alliance, criticized the EC’s directive banning mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. He questioned the origin of this rule and accused the commission of acting under hidden influence. He demanded the rule be withdrawn by Monday evening, warning that otherwise the EC would be besieged on Tuesday, February 10.

The remarks reflect growing tension between opposition candidates and the Election Commission ahead of the national polls, with disputes centering on transparency and voter rights.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued an ultimatum to the Election Commission, demanding the withdrawal of the mobile phone ban within 400 yards of polling centers by Monday evening. Speaking during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, he warned that a strong movement would be launched if the restriction was not lifted. The ban was imposed ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

Dr. Rahman criticized the Election Commission’s directive, referring to past restrictions on internet access during protests. He also pledged to curb drug and arms trade in Mohammadpur if his party came to power, and said Jamaat would form a government for the people, not a partisan one. He accused some government officials of favoring certain candidates and warned against such actions.

The Election Commission had earlier announced that only presiding officers and designated security personnel would be allowed to carry mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers on election day.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate of the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance, has warned that the Election Commission (EC) will be besieged if it does not withdraw its ban on carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. He issued the warning on Monday during an election rally at Mohammadpur Eidgah ground in Dhaka, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. The EC had issued the directive a day earlier.

According to the EC’s instruction, only presiding officers, police in-charge, Ansar personnel, and two Ansar members using the “Election Security 2026” app are allowed to carry phones inside the restricted area. Nahid Islam criticized the directive, calling for its withdrawal by Monday evening, and warned of severe consequences if the EC acted with bias.

He also accused private media outlets of favoring a particular party by selectively airing election advertisements and warned that any attempt to seize polling centers would be resisted with force.

Former Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has called for the immediate dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). He made the remarks on Monday while testifying before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case concerning enforced disappearances and killings against Ziaul Ahsan. Bhuiyan stated that if RAB cannot be dissolved, military officers should be withdrawn from the force and returned to the army.

In his testimony, Bhuiyan said DGFI had lost its legitimacy after fostering what he described as a culture of misconduct. He recounted that during his tenure, he faced pressure from the government, including phone calls from the prime minister, to assign army officers to RAB, which he resisted due to a shortage of officers. He described his time in service as painful because of RAB’s activities and said he now had the opportunity to complete what he could not do earlier.

Bhuiyan emphasized that acknowledging corruption within the army would not diminish its honor but would instead strengthen its integrity and reputation by ensuring accountability.

Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Election Commission’s directive banning mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. Speaking on Monday at a campaign event in Gulshan-2 for Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman in the Dhaka-17 constituency, Kayem described the decision as undemocratic and alleged that certain groups were attempting to regain power through manipulation. The event was attended by Khaliduzzaman, Islami Chhatra Shibir president Nurul Islam Saddam, and other party activists.

Kayem claimed that the growing public support for the “scales” symbol had triggered conspiracies by opposing forces. He urged young voters to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to subvert the electoral process. He further asserted that the Dhaka-17 constituency would remain secure under Khaliduzzaman’s leadership and encouraged voters to elect leaders who stay connected with the people.

Kayem expressed confidence that the youth-driven momentum seen in universities would translate into victory for the “scales” symbol in the February 12 election.