The High Court of Bangladesh has upheld the death sentences of former Teknaf Police Station Officer-in-Charge Pradeep Kumar Das and Inspector Md. Liaqat Ali in the high-profile murder case of retired army major Sinha Md. Rashed Khan. The court also confirmed life imprisonment for six other convicts and maintained a fine of 50,000 taka for each. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md. Saghir Hossain. The convicts now have 30 days to appeal the decision. Major Sinha was shot dead on July 31, 2020, at a police checkpoint in Cox’s Bazar’s Shamlapur area. His sister later filed a murder case, and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) submitted a charge sheet accusing 15 people, describing the incident as a premeditated killing. The Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court had earlier sentenced Pradeep and Liaqat to death and six others to life imprisonment in January 2022.

Bangladeshi law enforcement has identified four individuals involved in issuing death threats against three judges and prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal following its verdict sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Police have arrested one suspect, a 20-year-old man named Sharif from Lalmohan in Bhola district, while efforts continue to apprehend the others. Prosecutor Tanvir Zohar confirmed that several Facebook pages and individuals were found to have shared images of the judges and prosecutors while making threats. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, also sentenced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun to five years in prison. Authorities are investigating the online networks behind the threats to ensure the safety of judicial officials and uphold the integrity of the tribunal’s proceedings.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman extended heartfelt greetings to all members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force on Armed Forces Day. In a message conveyed by senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Tarique Rahman lauded the armed forces for their courage, discipline, and dedication to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. He highlighted their vital role in peacekeeping missions, which has enhanced Bangladesh’s global reputation. Rahman recalled the formation of the armed forces during the 1971 Liberation War and paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. He credited former President Ziaur Rahman for initiating modernization programs that transformed the forces into a professional and technologically advanced institution, and noted that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia further strengthened this progress. Rahman expressed hope that the armed forces would continue their patriotic role in national defense and disaster response, reinforcing their position as a trusted pillar of the nation.

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has reinstated the caretaker government system through a landmark ruling, overturning a previous verdict that had abolished it. Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN) and one of the petitioners, expressed satisfaction, saying the decision paves the way for free and impartial elections. He criticized former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque’s earlier judgment that had, in his view, exiled the country’s electoral process and led to three controversial elections. Senior lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan, representing four prominent appellants, confirmed that the court explicitly annulled the earlier ruling, thereby restoring the caretaker system established under the 13th Amendment. Majumdar noted that he had long opposed both the abolition of the caretaker system and the subsequent 15th Amendment. Observers describe the verdict as a historic development in Bangladesh’s constitutional and electoral landscape.

Muntasir Mahmud, recently released from his post as a central organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would come to power if the upcoming national election were conducted fairly. In a social media post on November 20, Mahmud argued that public sentiment strongly favors Jamaat, asserting that voters across professions are disillusioned with both the Awami League and BNP. He claimed that NCP would not win any seats in a fair election and warned that violence and muscle power could influence the polls. Mahmud also criticized the BNP for failing to promote young leadership and said the party risks collapse if it continues its current course. Although he expressed doubts about Jamaat’s readiness to govern, he emphasized that the party must prepare to protect polling centers from violence and electoral manipulation. Mahmud, who plans to contest from Dhaka-12, said his departure from NCP followed internal disciplinary action.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued a circular outlining procedures for overseas voters using postal ballots in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the directive, any postal ballot lacking a properly signed declaration form will be declared invalid by the returning officer without opening the ballot envelope. The circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Monir Hossain, details the process from registration to result compilation. Overseas Bangladeshi voters can register through the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile app, after which their verified information will be used to send postal ballots via the Bangladesh Postal Department. Voters will cast their votes after candidate symbols are allotted and return their ballots by mail. The EC also announced the registration deadline for postal voting, allowing voters to track ballot delivery progress through the app.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Shering Tobgay is set to arrive in Dhaka on November 22 for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the visit, Tobgay will hold a formal bilateral meeting with the Chief Adviser, preceded by a one-on-one discussion between the two leaders. The talks are expected to cover a wide range of cooperation areas, including trade, investment, connectivity, education, tourism, culture, and sports. Officials anticipate the signing of three agreements or memoranda of understanding to strengthen bilateral relations. Several advisers, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the Bhutanese leader. Tobgay is expected to depart Dhaka on November 24, concluding his state visit aimed at deepening ties between the two South Asian neighbors.

Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that the country does not want any foreign interference in its internal affairs and reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism. He made the remarks at the Colombo Security Conclave held in New Delhi on November 20. Earlier, Dr. Rahman met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and invited him to visit Bangladesh. This marks the second visit by a Bangladeshi advisor to India since the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took office in August last year. The visit comes at a sensitive time, as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity and is reportedly in India. The interim government has requested her extradition from New Delhi, sparking speculation about whether the issue was discussed during Rahman’s meetings with Indian officials.

Aviation Security officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka seized 1,640 yaba tablets from the luggage of a passenger identified as Md. Samir during a routine security check on Wednesday night, November 19. Samir, a resident of Alonia village in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj, was scheduled to travel from Dhaka to the Maldives via Kuala Lumpur. The drugs were discovered by on-duty security officer ASG Abul Kalam during the check-in process. Following the discovery, the Department of Narcotics Control was immediately informed, and the passenger was offloaded, detained, and taken into custody. Authorities prepared a seizure list and conducted preliminary interrogation as part of the legal procedures. The incident highlights continued vigilance by airport security against drug trafficking through international routes.

The Bangladesh government has announced that all unregistered mobile phones will be automatically deactivated starting December 16 as part of a crackdown on illegal handset sales. The move targets three categories of devices: cloned, illegally imported, and smuggled phones. However, phones currently in use or purchased before December 16 will not be affected. Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that there will be no exemptions in enforcing the measure. He added that the government is working to simplify registration, deregistration, and re-registration processes for citizens. Expatriates will be allowed to bring one or two phones duty-free if registered properly, while additional devices will require payment of standard fees under existing National Board of Revenue rules. The government also pledged to take steps to make legal mobile phones more affordable for consumers.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has reinstated the caretaker government system by declaring the 13th constitutional amendment valid, overturning its previous ruling that had annulled the provision. The full bench of seven justices, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the unanimous verdict on Thursday, November 20. The court observed that the earlier judgment abolishing the caretaker system was flawed and tainted by multiple errors. According to the ruling, the upcoming 13th parliamentary election will be held under the current interim government, while the restored caretaker government system will be implemented from the 14th parliamentary election onward. Following the verdict, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated on social media that the caretaker system will be reintroduced starting with the next parliament. The decision marks a significant constitutional shift, reviving the non-partisan caretaker model originally introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996.

Bangladesh’s caretaker government system, once seen as a safeguard for fair elections, was abolished following a series of political and legal developments. The system originated after political unrest in the 1990s, when opposition parties demanded neutral oversight of elections. It was formally introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996, enabling non-partisan interim administrations to oversee elections in 1996 and 2001, both considered relatively fair. However, disputes over the appointment of the chief adviser in 2006 led to political deadlock and the rise of a military-backed caretaker administration, known as the 1/11 government. In 2011, the Supreme Court declared the 13th Amendment unconstitutional, calling the caretaker system undemocratic and inconsistent with the constitution’s basic structure. The 15th Amendment later permanently abolished it. Since then, elections under ruling parties in 2014, 2018, and 2024 have faced widespread criticism from opposition groups and international observers over transparency and credibility concerns.

A truck driver named Md. Mostafa Kamal, 40, was killed in a road accident on the Lama-Chakaria road in the West Linejhiri area of Lama upazila, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday night. According to local sources, the driver was transporting poultry feed for a company when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Local residents, fire service personnel, and Lama police quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the driver from the truck. He was taken to Lama Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police from Lama station stated that they are investigating the cause of the accident and that legal procedures are underway. The tragic incident highlights recurring road safety issues in the region, where poor road conditions and vehicle control failures often lead to fatal accidents.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is advancing its work to review and recommend a revised salary and allowance structure for government employees. A meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments is scheduled for November 24 at the Secretariat, chaired by Commission President Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission aims to finalize recommendations covering government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, state-owned banks, approved universities, and public educational institutions. Earlier, from October 1 to 15, the commission collected public and institutional feedback through online questionnaires. Formed on July 27, the commission plans to submit its final report by December. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports are being reviewed before final recommendations are made, emphasizing that the current government will lay the groundwork while the next administration will implement the new pay scale, considering fiscal and social spending realities.

Two young men from Muksedpur upazila in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, have died and five others remain missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Libya to Italy. The victims, Enamul Sheikh (27) and Anis Sheikh (35), reportedly paid local brokers about 2.1 million taka each to make the illegal journey last October. The accident occurred on November 13 near Libya’s Al-Khums coast, where two boats sank, one carrying 26 Bangladeshis. Four bodies were recovered by rescuers. Survivors described chaotic scenes as one boat collided with another, causing passengers in the middle section to drown. Families in the victims’ villages are mourning, demanding the repatriation of bodies and stricter action against human trafficking networks. Local officials acknowledged the ongoing issue of illegal migration despite government awareness campaigns promoting legal migration routes. Authorities are collecting information and have informed higher authorities for necessary measures.