The syndicate of Begum Rokeya University (BRU) has recommended the dismissal of Tabiur Rahman Pradhan, head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, after finding evidence of recruitment forgery. The decision was made during the university’s 118th syndicate meeting on November 26. According to official records, irregularities occurred in the 2011 recruitment process when Tabiur Rahman’s name was added to the waiting list after the selection board meeting, altering the merit order and violating recruitment rules. He was later appointed temporarily to a professor/associate professor position without proper advertisement or selection procedures. The syndicate concluded that his appointment was fraudulent and recommended termination and further action. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shawkat Ali confirmed the decision but said it would be officially announced after the resolution is passed. Tabiur Rahman claimed he had not been formally notified of the decision. The case highlights long-standing irregularities in faculty recruitment at the university.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking suspension of all activities related to Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The petition, submitted by Advocate Iarul Islam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Congress, challenges the legality of appointing secretaries, returning officers, and assistant returning officers from the executive branch instead of from within the Election Commission. The writ also requests the formation of an Electoral Service Commission and a rule asking why the current system should not be declared illegal. The petitioner argues that assigning election duties to deputy commissioners and upazila executive officers compromises neutrality, as they represent the government. He claims that the executive branch has lost public trust and that only Election Commission personnel should manage the election process. The Chief Election Commissioner earlier announced that the election schedule would be declared in the second week of December, with preparations nearly complete.

Two leaders of the National Jubo Shokti’s Rajshahi unit, Mehedi Hasan Farabi and Soyaib Ahmed, have been temporarily suspended for threatening journalists during a political event. The suspension was confirmed by the organization’s central office on Tuesday night, citing serious breaches of organizational discipline. The two leaders allegedly threatened to lock journalists inside a conference room at a hotel where they were covering a dispute over the National Citizen Party’s new district committee. Following the incident, video footage circulated on social media, sparking widespread criticism from journalist associations in Rajshahi. Several media organizations, including the Rajshahi Television Journalists Association and the Rajshahi Editors Forum, condemned the behavior as a threat to press freedom and demanded strict disciplinary action. The suspended leaders have been asked to submit written explanations within two days, failing which further measures will be taken according to party rules.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has issued a formal response regarding the trial and conviction of British MP Tulip Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana and niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a high-profile plot corruption case. The ACC stated that it thoroughly reviewed all prosecution materials and found strong evidence linking Siddiq to the misuse of influence to secure land plots for her family when Hasina was in power. The commission noted that Siddiq was convicted by Special Tribunal No. 5 for influencing her aunt to allocate government plots to family members. Witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence allegedly show her deep involvement in the illegal process. The ACC also mentioned Siddiq’s connection to several London properties purchased through offshore entities, questioning the source of her wealth. It dismissed her claim of being unable to defend herself, stating she refused to participate in the trial. The ACC concluded that there is no basis for her innocence under Bangladeshi law.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah stated that Bangladesh’s electoral system suffered significant damage during the tenure of the previous government and that the Election Commission (EC) is now working to restore its integrity. Speaking at a journalist training workshop in Agargaon, Dhaka, ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, he emphasized that reforming the system cannot be done by the Commission alone and requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders, including journalists. Sanaullah also mentioned the introduction of QR code scanning to prevent fake journalists from accessing polling areas. Additionally, he noted that the number of polling centers cannot be increased and estimated that each voter will take about 3 minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed added that the Commission aims to deliver the best election of the century and that the upcoming election and referendum are complementary processes.

Police in Ishwardi, Pabna, Bangladesh have arrested Nishi Rahman, wife of a government officer, for allegedly killing eight puppies by sealing them in a sack and drowning them in a pond. The case was filed late Tuesday night under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act 2019 by Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun. The incident drew widespread condemnation on social media and from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, which called the act inhumane and damaging to the country’s image. Following the incident, the local administration ordered Nishi Rahman’s husband, Hasanur Rahman, an official of the Small Farmers Foundation, to vacate his government quarters. Hasanur later expressed regret, claiming his wife acted out of concern for their children’s safety but did not intend for the puppies to die. The case has reignited discussions on animal cruelty and enforcement of animal welfare laws in Bangladesh.

A national independent investigation commission formed by Bangladesh’s interim government has reportedly found evidence suggesting the involvement of the Awami League and then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters. The commission’s report, submitted after 11 months of inquiry, includes testimony from prisoner witness Mohammad Abdul Matin, who revealed that Hasina was scheduled to visit Pilkhana on the day of the killings but did not go. Another witness, tailor Akash, described making a uniform for then-State Minister for Home Affairs Sohel Taj shortly before the massacre, an unusual act that drew attention among officers. The 2009 BDR mutiny, one of the deadliest incidents in Bangladesh’s military history, saw 57 army officers killed by mutinous border guards. The commission’s findings, if verified, could have significant political implications, reigniting debate over accountability for the tragedy.

Ten former army officers were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on Wednesday in connection with a case alleging enforced disappearances and torture, categorized as crimes against humanity. The accused include former senior officers of the Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), such as Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam and Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar. The case also names 17 defendants in total, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several former top officials, who are currently absconding. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is scheduled to hold a hearing on the formal framing of charges against all accused. Security around the tribunal and High Court premises was tightened, with police, army, RAB, and intelligence personnel deployed to maintain order during the proceedings.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court will issue its order on Thursday regarding a leave-to-appeal petition challenging the legality of the interim government formed after the August 5 uprising. A seven-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed concluded the hearing on Wednesday, December 3. During the session, the Attorney General and other state lawyers argued that the petition was based on a misconception and that questioning the legitimacy of a government formed through a popular uprising was contradictory. The petitioner, senior lawyer Mohsin Rashid, had earlier filed the writ in December last year, claiming that the then Chief Justice and Appellate Division judges were unable to advise the President under Article 106 of the Constitution due to taking refuge in the cantonment, rendering the government formation unconstitutional. The High Court had previously dismissed the writ, but the petitioner sought permission to appeal that decision.

An elderly inmate from Dhaka Central Jail, identified as Abdul Matin, 75, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday night. According to prison guard Mirza Harun, Matin’s health deteriorated suddenly, prompting authorities to rush him to the hospital around 11:30 p.m., where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The specific charges or case for which he was imprisoned remain unknown. DMCH police camp in-charge Md Faruk confirmed the death, citing doctors’ statements. The body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy, which will be conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate. Following official procedures by the prison authorities, the body will be handed over to the family. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the health and medical care of inmates in Bangladesh’s prisons.

A violent incident occurred in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon when an assistant agriculture officer was assaulted by an angry crowd amid severe disorder during fertilizer distribution. The chaos erupted at Umaradangi market as farmers protested against fertilizer shortages and alleged irregularities in allocation. Tensions escalated when several farmers attempted to take excessive fertilizer under one name, sparking outrage among others waiting in line. Assistant Agriculture Officer Akhtar Hossain was attacked after returning to the site with the Upazila Agriculture Officer, Saidul Islam. He sustained serious head injuries and was transferred from Ranisankail Hospital to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Local authorities confirmed the incident and said legal action would follow after the victim’s recovery. The fertilizer dealer’s representatives could not be reached for comment. The incident reflects growing frustration among farmers struggling to secure fertilizer during the busy Rabi season for wheat, maize, and mustard cultivation.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), shared an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday night following a daylong campaign in his constituency of Debidwar, Cumilla. After conducting rallies and door-to-door visits in Bhani and Sultanpur unions, he reflected on his late mother and the emotional distance created by her passing. In his post, Hasnat expressed deep nostalgia and regret for unfulfilled promises, such as building a home for his mother, while also finding solace in serving the people. He described his journey across the country as one filled with uncertainty but guided by purpose. Hasnat also reflected on the struggles of young political activists and expressed hope that they would remain close to their families and mothers. His message blended personal grief with political reflection, resonating with themes of loss, duty, and compassion.

According to a recent intelligence report submitted to Bangladesh’s top authorities, fugitive Awami League leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are allegedly coordinating from India to destabilize the country ahead of the upcoming national election. The report claims that these exiled figures are issuing instructions via voice calls and online platforms to incite violence, spread misinformation using artificial intelligence tools, and create communal unrest. It warns that armed groups and extremists in border districts may be mobilized to disrupt voting and intimidate minority voters. The report also highlights the risk of illegal weapons being used to provoke clashes during the election period. Security experts and political analysts have urged heightened vigilance by law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission to prevent potential violence and ensure a fair electoral process. Authorities have reportedly intensified surveillance and are planning stronger operations to recover illegal arms and maintain order during the election period.

A hearing on the formation of charges against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including her security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Lt. Col. Sarwar Bin Kasem, is scheduled for today at International Crimes Tribunal-1. The case involves allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Ten army officers were brought from the Dhaka Cantonment sub-jail to the tribunal for the proceedings. State defense lawyers have been appointed for the absconding accused. The hearing follows a previous date set on November 23. In a related case, the tribunal is also recording the second day of testimony from the investigating officer in the Ashulia murder case, which involves the burning of six bodies and the killing of seven people. Nine arrested suspects, including former police officer Sheikh Afzalul, were produced before the court, with Afzalul testifying as a prosecution witness.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has announced plans to introduce QR codes on journalist identity cards to prevent the use of fake press credentials during the upcoming national elections. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah stated that this measure aims to ensure transparency and security at polling centers. Speaking at a training workshop for journalists on Wednesday, he emphasized that the election will be of a different magnitude compared to previous ones, and that the media plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining electoral transparency. Sanaullah also mentioned that each voter is expected to take an average of 3 minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote, and that increasing the number of polling centers is not feasible. Meanwhile, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the EC Secretariat clarified that in the upcoming referendum, voters must respond with a clear 'yes' or 'no' to each of the four questions, without partial agreement or disagreement options.