A Dhaka court has authorized the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain income tax records of Awami League Presidium Member and former MP Kazi Zafar Ullah, his wife Nilufar Zafar Ullah, and their children. The order, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, directs the Tax Zone-8 office to provide copies of the family’s tax files from 2008 to 2025. The CID sought the records as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering, fraud, and extortion involving Kazi Zafar Ullah and his associates. According to the CID’s application, the accused are suspected of acquiring substantial movable and immovable assets through illicit means and transferring funds to foreign destinations, including the British Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, and Dubai. Additional Public Prosecutor Mostafa Sarowar Murad represented the state during the hearing, after which the court granted the request.

A total of 170 Bangladeshi nationals detained or staying irregularly in Libya have been repatriated to Bangladesh through a coordinated effort involving the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees arrived in Dhaka on a chartered Buraq Air flight on November 18. Most of them had entered Libya in hopes of reaching Europe illegally by sea, often falling victim to human trafficking, abduction, and physical abuse. Upon arrival, officials from the ministries and IOM welcomed them and urged them to share their experiences to raise awareness against irregular migration. IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food, and basic medical assistance. Authorities confirmed that this repatriation is part of an ongoing initiative to safely return Bangladeshi detainees from Libyan detention centers.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of over 46.4 million shares held in Meghna Bank under the names of three individuals linked to former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed. The order, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, follows a petition from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Financial Crimes Unit. The accused—Imrana Zaman Chowdhury, former director of Meghna Bank PLC; Utpal Pal, managing director of Steadfast Management Trading Ltd; and Nasim Uddin Mohammad Adil, a director of the same firm—allegedly used illicit funds to purchase shares worth about 599.5 million taka. Investigators claim the money originated from foreign transfers via Singapore and Dubai and was later funneled into local bank accounts to conceal its illegal source. The court ruled that freezing the shares was necessary to prevent the accused from liquidating assets and obstructing the ongoing money laundering investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

The copies of the death sentences handed down to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will not be sent to relevant government offices today, according to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 administration. The delay is attributed to the illness of the tribunal’s chairman. The verdict, delivered on Monday, sentenced Hasina and Kamal to death for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July uprising, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison term as a state witness. The Home and Foreign Ministries were scheduled to receive the verdict copies on Tuesday to initiate extradition and Interpol warrant procedures. Hasina and Kamal are currently in India as fugitives. The tribunal found them guilty of multiple charges, including incitement, ordering lethal force against protesters, and killings in Rangpur, Dhaka, and Ashulia.

Supporters of opposition groups including NCP, Chhatra Dal, and Shibir held a celebratory rally and distributed sweets in Raipur, Lakshmipur, following the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Movement. The event took place on Monday night at Raipur Traffic Mor, where hundreds of activists joined the procession. Family members of victims from the July Movement expressed satisfaction, calling the verdict long-awaited justice. Local BNP and Jamaat-backed candidates also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a reflection of justice. Leaders demanded that Sheikh Hasina be brought back from India to implement the verdict swiftly. The town witnessed a festive atmosphere, while police and RAB maintained heightened security to prevent unrest.

A major fire broke out early Tuesday morning in the Bou Bazar area of Tongi, Gazipur, burning down six warehouses storing jute and plastic sacks. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze started suddenly around 6 a.m. and quickly spread to nearby warehouses. Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly and managed to bring the fire under control after about an hour of effort. Senior Station Officer Shahin Alam of Tongi Fire Service confirmed that no casualties occurred in the incident. All stored goods, including jute and plastic sacks, were completely destroyed. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire or assess the extent of the damage, and an investigation is underway to identify the source and evaluate losses.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has voiced serious concern over the death sentence handed to Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal. The tribunal sentenced Hasina, who fled to India after a popular uprising in August last year, to death on charges of crimes against humanity. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal received the same verdict. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tharoor said he does not believe in capital punishment anywhere and found the ruling deeply distressing. He added that while it is not appropriate to comment on another country’s judiciary, he does not view the development positively and considers it worrying. His remarks followed earlier reactions from Indian political figures, including BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who alleged that the verdict was influenced by Pakistan. The case has drawn significant attention in both Bangladesh and India.

The BCS Information Association has protested the appointment of two BCS (Administration) cadre officers as First Secretary (Press) in Bangladesh’s foreign missions in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. In a statement signed by Vice President Mohammad Ali Sarkar and General Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid, the association expressed concern over the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision issued on November 16. The association argued that such positions have traditionally been held by officers from the BCS (Information-General) cadre, who are trained in media and public relations. It also cited the ministry’s earlier job circular from January 13, which stated that candidates with experience in media and public communication would be given preference. The association urged the authorities to reconsider and revoke the appointments, emphasizing that the duties of the press wing align with the expertise of the information cadre officers.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has defended the interim government’s performance, highlighting its achievements over the past fifteen and a half months. In a Facebook post on November 18, Alam responded to widespread criticism and satire on social media that labeled the administration as weak and ineffective. He acknowledged that many view the government as inexperienced and unable to manage protests or implement laws effectively, yet he argued that it has achieved more than any previous administration in such a short time. Despite being dismissed as a transitional authority, Alam described the government as one of the most significant in Bangladesh’s recent history, claiming it fulfilled nearly all its objectives. His remarks come amid ongoing debates about the interim government’s legitimacy, capacity, and long-term impact on Bangladesh’s governance and political stability.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is set to hold a dialogue on Wednesday with major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, as part of its ongoing consultations ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. According to EC’s Public Relations Department Assistant Director Md. Ashadul Haque, the commission has invited 48 political parties over four days—Thursday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday—for discussions. On Wednesday morning, the EC will meet with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party (BMJP), Insoniyat Biplob, National Citizens Party (NCP), Ganosanghati Andolon, and National Democratic Movement (NDM). In the afternoon, the BNP, Bangladesh National Party (BJP), Gana Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP), and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) will join the talks. Currently, Bangladesh has 55 registered political parties, including two newly registered ones, while Awami League’s registration remains suspended and three others have been canceled.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s crucial Asian Cup qualifier against India, national football team captain Jamal Bhuyan shared a motivational post on Facebook. He posted a clip from the 2021 World Cup qualifier where Bangladesh lost 2–0 to India after holding them until the 79th minute. The video showed Jamal tackling Indian forward Brandon Fernandes, accompanied by the caption, “Fight for every inch on the field.” The post is seen as an attempt to inspire his teammates and fans before the high-stakes match. Bangladesh have not beaten India in 26 years but have lost only once in their last six encounters since Jamal’s debut. Fellow player Hamza Choudhury also expressed optimism on social media, saying the team is fully prepared and eager to give their best in the match.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against Dilip Kumar Agarwala, owner of Diamond World and Diamond World Limited, over alleged illegal transactions worth Tk 678 crore. According to CID officials, the company procured gold and diamonds through smuggling and failed to provide valid documentation for their sources. The Financial Crime Unit launched an investigation in September 2024 after reviewing the company’s financial records and bank accounts. Findings indicated that between 2006 and February 2024, Diamond World legally imported goods worth Tk 38 crore but acquired additional gold and diamonds valued at Tk 678 crore from undocumented sources. CID concluded that these assets were likely obtained through smuggling and used for money laundering. Following approval on November 16, the case was officially filed at Gulshan Police Station, and CID will continue its investigation to verify financial documents, bank transactions, and related evidence.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the confiscation and nationalization of all assets belonging to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, issued the directive on Monday. Following the July Revolution, authorities seized over Tk 57,257 crore linked to Hasina, her family, and ten major business groups, with Tk 10,452 crore traced abroad. Investigations by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), CID, and NBR revealed Hasina’s assets in the US, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands. Reports indicate 124 bank accounts containing Tk 635 crore, multiple properties, and foreign funds. Asaduzzaman Khan is also accused of amassing hundreds of crores through corruption and money laundering. The BFIU is coordinating ongoing investigations, with updates submitted to the Chief Adviser’s Office.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister and one of the most influential figures in South Asian politics, has experienced a turbulent political journey marked by both triumph and controversy. Rising to prominence as Awami League leader in 1981 while in exile in India, she went on to become the country’s first female opposition leader and later prime minister in 1996. Her tenure saw major developments such as the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail projects, but was also marred by allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses. The abolition of the caretaker government system and disputed elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 deepened political divisions. Violent crackdowns on protests, including the 2024 quota reform movement that left hundreds dead, ultimately led to her downfall. Facing mass uprisings, Hasina fled to India in August 2024 and was later sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Analysts remain divided on whether she could ever return to Bangladesh’s political stage.

Golam Kibria, the member secretary of the BNP-affiliated Jubo Dal’s Pallabi unit, was shot dead by three helmeted assailants in Dhaka’s Pallabi area on Monday evening. CCTV footage shows the attackers entering a hardware store and firing multiple rounds at Kibria from close range before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. He was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police detained one suspect with public help and recovered seven shell casings from the site. During their escape, the assailants also shot a rickshaw driver, Arif, for not driving fast enough; he remains hospitalized. Authorities are investigating whether the killing stemmed from internal party conflict or other motives. Local BNP and Jubo Dal activists staged protests demanding justice and a fair investigation into the politically sensitive murder.