Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari sent six online casino gamblers to jail on Monday afternoon following their arrest on Sunday evening. The arrests took place in Mushrut Paniyal Pukur Balapara village, where officers seized Android mobile phones containing casino gaming apps from each suspect. The detainees were identified as Rakib Mia, Nur Hossain, Riju Islam Ratul, Shahin Alam, Abdul Aziz, and Manik Mia, all residents of the local area.

Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman of Kishoreganj Police Station stated that the detainees were sent to jail through the court in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act for engaging in online casino gambling. The police action highlights enforcement efforts against illegal online gambling activities in the region.

The case marks a continuation of local authorities’ attempts to curb cyber-related offenses, with the seized devices expected to serve as evidence in the ongoing legal process.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called on voters to reject those who betrayed the nation during the 1971 Liberation War and to vote for the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol in support of democracy. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon during two separate campaign meetings at Paikpara and Purba Begunbari BT School grounds in Begunbari Union of Thakurgaon-1 constituency.

During his speeches, Mirza Fakhrul said that if BNP comes to power, it will ensure merit-based recruitment without bribery, unlike previous authoritarian governments. He emphasized that the votes given to BNP are a sacred trust from the people, which the party pledges to protect. He also alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled to Delhi, leaving behind her party and the democratic process in crisis.

Addressing the Hindu community, Fakhrul urged them to remain courageous and assured that BNP would stand by them if anyone tried to obstruct their right to vote. Local BNP leaders, including Abdul Hamid and Obaidullah Masud, were present at the events.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others in connection with two separate murder cases filed at Mohammadpur Police Station. The order was given on Monday by Metropolitan Magistrate Jamshed Alam after the court accepted charge sheets against 64 accused in the killings of truck driver Md. Hossain and CNG driver Sabuj during the July 2024 movement. Prosecutor Harun-or-Rashid confirmed the court’s decision.

According to case details, Hossain was shot dead on July 19, 2024, during protests in Mohammadpur, and his mother filed a case naming Hasina and 15 others. Police later charged 34 people, including Hasina, with 20 still absconding. In the Sabuj murder case, filed on September 1, 2024, after he was shot on August 4, investigators later included Hasina and 29 others in the charge sheet, with 21 fugitives. Among the accused are former ministers Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasan Mahmud, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and others.

The court’s order marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the July 2024 movement violence.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUSU) member Sarmitra Chakma announced his resignation on Monday, January 26, 2026, through a Facebook post. He stated that he had been elected by students with high expectations and had worked to improve campus safety, including proposals to regulate vehicles and introduce registered rickshaws. He cited security issues at the university’s central field, where incidents of harassment and theft had occurred, as part of his motivation for strict measures.

Chakma explained that his controversial action—making teenagers perform squats while holding their ears—occurred last month amid rising theft and mugging incidents. He admitted his approach was wrong but said he acted out of concern for campus safety amid administrative inaction. He added that enforcing security sometimes required actions beyond legal limits, which had affected his mental state and led to his decision to step down.

A video showing the incident spread widely on social media, sparking public criticism and discussions about his conduct. Many users expressed anger and disapproval after the footage went viral.

Police in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha arrested six Awami League leaders following an attack on officers during an operation to detain former union parishad chairman and local Awami League publicity secretary Zobayer Hasan Shafik Mahmud Golap. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday when police surrounded Golap’s residence to execute the arrest. Supporters of Golap, numbering about 50 to 60, allegedly launched a sudden assault on the police, injuring three officers who were later hospitalized at Gobindaganj Upazila Health Complex.

Following the attack, Sub-Inspector Akhtaruzzaman filed a case naming 18 individuals and including 50 to 60 unidentified persons. Police subsequently conducted a night raid and detained six named suspects from the area. Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque confirmed that the detainees were sent to district jail through the court on Monday. Authorities stated that the law and order situation in the area remains stable, with continued police surveillance to prevent further unrest.

The Bangladesh government has given policy approval to offer cash incentives to non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who help attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. The decision was made at a meeting of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) governing board held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. According to BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, NRBs who facilitate equity investment in Bangladesh will receive a 1.25 percent cash incentive on the investment amount.

He explained that the initiative aims to use the global networks of expatriate Bangladeshis to promote the country as an investment destination. The proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Finance for final approval before implementation. BIDA also announced plans to open overseas offices, starting in China, followed by South Korea and a European Union country, to attract more investment.

Additionally, the government approved a roadmap to merge six investment-related agencies under a single structure called the “Single Umbrella” framework to improve coordination and decision-making. Legal and structural implementation will proceed under the next government.

Students of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies Department at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia staged a human chain on Monday, January 26, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the murder of student Sajid Abdullah. The protest took place at noon in front of the university’s administration building, marking six months and nine days since the killing. Leaders from the university’s student wings, including the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir, joined the demonstration in solidarity.

During the event, students expressed frustration that the university administration had yet to identify the killers, accusing officials of negligence and delay. Speakers warned that if justice was not delivered, they would escalate their movement. Chhatra Dal’s convener Sahed Ahmed demanded the resignation of the university proctor by 4 p.m. Tuesday, threatening to besiege the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday if the demand was ignored.

The protest reflects growing anger among students over the lack of progress in the investigation and signals possible intensified demonstrations if authorities fail to act promptly.

The United States has announced that citizens of Bangladesh and several other countries will now be eligible for single-entry visas valid for up to three months under a new visa bond pilot program. The US Embassy in Dhaka released details of the program on Monday, explaining that applicants deemed eligible after their visa interview will be instructed to pay a refundable bond through pay.gov within 30 days of visa approval.

According to the embassy, the program requires travelers to enter the US through designated airports—Boston Logan, John F. Kennedy, or Washington Dulles—and comply with all visa conditions, including not working and leaving the country on time. Failure to meet these conditions could result in forfeiture of the bond, which may be as high as 15,000 US dollars. The US State Department previously suspended immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, on January 7, and added Bangladesh to the visa bond list.

Analysts cited in the report noted that the new rule could make obtaining a US visa more expensive and complicated for Bangladeshi travelers.

A preparatory meeting was held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Baliadi Zamindar Bari in Kaliakair upazila to ensure the success of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s upcoming rally in Gazipur scheduled for Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by Mahmud Sarkar, convener of Kaliakair Municipality BNP, with Md. Nurul Islam Sikder, convener of Kaliakair Upazila BNP, serving as the chief speaker.

The session was conducted by Upazila BNP member secretary M. Anwar Hossain. Speakers emphasized the need to make the Gazipur rally a complete success under the direction of Barrister Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqui, member secretary of the district BNP. They highlighted the importance of strengthening organizational readiness, increasing public engagement, and ensuring active and united participation of party leaders and activists.

The meeting reflected the local BNP’s focus on mobilizing support and coordination ahead of the major political gathering in Gazipur.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all commercial bank branches across the country to conduct awareness campaigns for the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform proposals recorded in the July National Charter 2025. The directive was issued through a circular released by the central bank on Monday, advising each branch and sub-branch to display two special vertical banners to promote public awareness about the referendum.

Earlier, on January 5, the Chief Adviser’s Office had sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank requesting campaign support in favor of the referendum. Following that, the central bank governor held meetings with banks and gave verbal instructions to promote a ‘yes’ vote, also directing them to use funds from their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets for the campaign. State-owned banks began implementing the campaign, but many private banks refrained, citing the absence of an official circular as the reason.

With the new circular now in place, all commercial banks are expected to participate in the awareness campaign as instructed by the central bank.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud stated on Monday, January 26, that candidates who concealed information about loan defaults, dual citizenship, or other disqualifying issues but managed to contest the current election will face action if such concealment is proven after the vote. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists at his office.

Mashud emphasized that the Election Commission (EC) will not compromise on electoral transparency and that the overall election environment remains stable. He said the EC is not under any political pressure and expects a fair and peaceful voting process. He urged voters to go to polling centers without hesitation.

Responding to a question about the Jatiya Party’s participation, Mashud confirmed that the party cannot be excluded from the election since its registration remains valid under the law. He reiterated that the EC has ensured equal opportunities for all candidates and noted a positive change in the country’s political culture.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has summoned Summit Group chairman Mohammad Aziz Khan, his wife Anjuman Aziz Khan, daughter Ayesha Aziz, and 13 other family members for questioning over alleged money laundering. The summons, issued from the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, requires their appearance on January 29 and February 1–4. ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Akterul Islam confirmed the notice.

According to the ACC, the allegations involve the laundering of large sums, including Tk 226 crore against Aziz Khan, Tk 32 crore against Anjuman Aziz Khan, and Tk 219 crore against Ayesha Aziz. A seven-member team led by Deputy Director Md. Alomgir Hossain is conducting the investigation. Earlier, on December 14, the ACC had issued separate notices to the family to submit wealth statements for verifying about Tk 711 crore in allegedly illegal assets.

The ACC stated that the declared assets in income tax records appear inconsistent with actual holdings and income sources, prompting the inquiry under Section 26(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

The Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) has announced a five-year strategic roadmap to develop Maheshkhali as a key center for Bangladesh’s energy and logistics sectors. The decision was finalized on Monday at MIDA’s first governing board meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Following the meeting, MIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun said the board approved a short-term land allocation plan covering 2025 to 2030.

According to Mahmud, the roadmap sets three main goals for the next five years, focusing primarily on addressing the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Key priorities include operationalizing Maheshkhali’s deep-sea port and establishing LNG and LPG terminals to strengthen energy infrastructure. The master plan also emphasizes utilizing the island’s natural resources and diversifying local economic activities through a specialized fish processing hub.

MIDA, which began operations last August, is now consolidating its organizational structure. The governing board has approved a 137-person staffing plan to oversee the development of these major projects.

A coalition of 101 social, cultural, and political organizations affiliated with the platform July Oikya issued a joint statement on January 26, 2026, rejecting the verdict delivered by International Crimes Tribunal-1 in the Chankharpul murder case. The tribunal sentenced three senior police officers to death under command responsibility but gave lighter sentences of three, four, and six years to several police members, including constable Sujon, who directly fired on the crowd. The three officers sentenced to death remain fugitives.

The statement described the verdict as an insult to the six victims of the Chankharpul killings and expressed deep shock and anger. It alleged that Sujon fired indiscriminately at unarmed civilians without provocation, and that the tribunal’s decision to give him only three years in prison was a mockery of justice. The organizations demanded a review of the verdict and warned of launching strong movements if their demand was ignored.

The statement further held the interim government responsible for any future unrest if the authorities failed to reconsider the judgment.

Dhaka University authorities have issued a show-cause notice to Daksu executive member Sarbamitra Chakma after he was accused of forcing teenagers to perform squats by holding their ears at the university’s Physical Education Centre field. The notice was issued on Monday evening following student complaints, confirmed Assistant Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, who said Chakma’s actions had raised questions about the university’s image. He was asked to submit a written explanation within 24 hours.

Earlier that day, Chakma announced his resignation from the Daksu executive committee through a Facebook post in the group ‘Dhaka University Students’ Parliament–2’. In the post, he claimed that outsiders had long been entering the field freely, leading to incidents of harassment and theft, and that the administration had failed to act despite repeated complaints. He said he confronted the outsiders to protect the campus environment and later apologized unconditionally for his behavior.

Daksu General Secretary S.M. Farhad stated that although Chakma announced his resignation online, no formal resignation letter had been submitted yet.