Imdadul Haque Molla, founder director of Ontimex Communication Ltd and former president of the Internet Service Provider Association, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the nationwide internet shutdown on July 18, 2024, occurred due to a government decision. He said that after a fire broke out at the Mohakhali Disaster Management Building that afternoon, internet services began to fail in some areas and were completely cut off across the country by around 9 p.m.

Molla explained that internet providers operate at the final distribution level, while bandwidth is supplied through International Internet Gateways (IIGs), the state-owned Submarine Cable Company, and International Terrestrial Companies (ITCs). When contacted, IIGs informed them that bandwidth supply from ITCs had been stopped, leading them to conclude that the shutdown was government-directed.

He added that on July 23, 2024, then-ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak visited the site and said the outage was due to a data center fire, which Molla described as a political statement since the fire had not affected the data center itself. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, set April 16 for the next hearing.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists to cooperate with security forces to maintain law and order across the country. He gave the directive on Sunday at the National Parliament Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

The Prime Minister emphasized that party members should work with the administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure peace in their respective areas. He urged them to report any activities that could disrupt local harmony and warned against taking the law into their own hands. He further stressed that development and peace in every area must be preserved at any cost.

The directive comes as part of the government’s broader effort to ensure stability and development at the local level, reinforcing the importance of coordination between political activists and law enforcement authorities.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a strict directive requiring all bank branches to accept torn, damaged, and dirty currency notes from the public and provide usable replacements. The circular, released on Sunday, warns that any bank showing reluctance to serve customers in this regard will face legal action under the Bank Company Act, 1991. The directive takes immediate effect.

According to the central bank, despite previous instructions to ensure smooth cash transactions, a large number of defective notes remain in circulation. To address this, banks must set up special counters to regularly collect damaged notes of all denominations, particularly smaller ones such as 5, 10, 20, and 50 taka, and replace them with usable notes.

The move aims to maintain the quality of currency in circulation and ensure uninterrupted public access to clean and usable banknotes across the country.

Chief Whip of the National Parliament Md. Nurul Islam stated that democracy is a matter of mutual trust between the government and the opposition. He made the remarks on Sunday at the National Parliament complex while briefing journalists after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel. During the event, the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged members to seek administrative help or inform him if problems arise, emphasizing that no one should take the law into their own hands.

Addressing the energy crisis, the Chief Whip said the Prime Minister allocated an additional subsidy of 360 billion taka to resolve the issue, stressing that national resources should serve public welfare rather than be siphoned abroad. He also mentioned that a special parliamentary committee reviewed 133 ordinances, recommending amendments to 16 and passing 117 within five days, marking a record in Bangladesh’s legislative history.

The Chief Whip expressed disappointment over the opposition’s walkout over minor amendments but acknowledged it as part of democratic practice. He also discussed plans to enrich the July Museum by integrating historical movements from 1971 to 2024.

A Dhaka court has sentenced one person to death and seven others to life imprisonment for the murder of Sheikh Kalam and Zahid Khan in Nawabganj, committed seven years ago during a robbery attempt. The verdict was delivered on Sunday afternoon by Acting Additional District and Sessions Judge-8 Muhammad Munir Hossain. Bench Assistant Md. Sajib confirmed the information. The death sentence was handed to Sheikh Nasir, 48, who was also fined 20,000 taka. The seven others received life imprisonment and fines of 50,000 taka each, with two of them remaining absconding during the verdict.

According to the case details, the victims were attacked while traveling by motorcycle on a rural road in Nawabganj. The assailants blocked the road with a banana tree to stop them and then attacked with sharp weapons and sticks, leaving both men fatally injured. Locals and police arrived after hearing their cries, but the attackers fled. The victims were taken to Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead.

Police investigation led to a charge sheet filed in January 2021, and the court later began trial proceedings, hearing testimony from 18 of 37 witnesses.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir held separate meetings with German Ambassador Dr. Rüdiger Lotz and Swedish Ambassador Niclas Wik at his office in the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the two European nations.

During the meeting with the German envoy, the minister emphasized Europe’s importance as a key export destination for Bangladesh and called for German investment in the light engineering, textile, and leather sectors. He noted that the government is working to remove non-tariff barriers and create an investment-friendly environment. Dr. Lotz expressed Germany’s interest in deepening trade relations, improving skill development, and ensuring a level playing field for businesses.

In the subsequent meeting with the Swedish ambassador, both sides discussed enhancing trade and investment ties. The minister said steps have been taken to remove non-tariff barriers with Sweden, while Ambassador Wik expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s telecom sector, citing Sweden’s global leadership in that field.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday sentenced former Youth League leader M H Babu Patwari to two months of rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court. The verdict was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar. Patwari, a former central vice-president of the banned Chhatra League, had posted a Facebook statement alleging large-scale corruption involving tribunal officials and others over a death sentence in a July massacre case.

Before the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam made an unusual appeal to the tribunal to reduce the sentence, despite representing the state. The tribunal initially decided on a one-year term, later reducing it to three months, and finally to two months following repeated requests from the chief prosecutor. The move surprised observers and raised questions about the prosecutor’s impartiality.

During the hearing, Patwari and his wife both sought unconditional apologies. Investigators testified that his Facebook account was still active and linked him to a group accused of spreading false propaganda online. The tribunal found his claim of reposting the content untrue before announcing the sentence.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Shafiqur Rahman, has questioned how the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can claim ownership of the 1971 Liberation War when the party did not exist at that time. He raised the issue during a meeting with families of July martyrs and freedom fighters, criticizing BNP’s assertion that both 1971 and later political milestones belong to them.

Rahman acknowledged that former president Ziaur Rahman made a declaration during the war and fought in it, but argued that giving all credit to one individual undermines the contributions of other fighters. He said that while Zia’s role deserves respect, the collective effort of all freedom fighters must also be recognized.

Criticizing the Awami League, Rahman said the ruling party also tried to monopolize the Liberation War narrative in the past, labeling Ziaur Rahman in derogatory terms. He called for an end to such divisive politics surrounding the war’s legacy.

A youth identified as Imon, known locally as Alex Imon and leader of the teen gang 'Alex Group', was hacked to death in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday afternoon. The attack occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the embankment slope on Buddhijibi Road, where several rivals assaulted him with sharp weapons. He was taken to Suhrawardy Hospital but died while undergoing treatment.

Police said the violence stemmed from a turf conflict between the 'Alex Imon Group' and the 'Arman-Shahrukh Group'. Officers detained three suspects—Md. Saif (23), Tuhin (20), and Md. Rabbi Kazi (25)—from the scene and recovered three machetes, a cutter, and a steel plate. CCTV footage showed armed groups chasing each other before Imon was fatally attacked.

According to police, Alex Imon was a known gang leader in the Rayerbazar area with multiple criminal cases, including robbery and murder. The long-standing rivalry between the two groups reportedly led to the deadly confrontation.

Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque has said that the country cannot return to an era of medieval brutality in the name of defending religion. In a statement to the media on Sunday, he strongly condemned and protested the killing of Pir Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza, on April 11 in Philipnagar of Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia district.

Haque stated that a group of assailants carried out a planned attack with rods and sticks, vandalized the shrine, dragged Pir Abdur Rahman from the second floor, and beat him to death before leaving the scene. He said the incident demonstrated the alarming rise of mob violence reminiscent of the previous interim government period and held the current government responsible for failing to prevent such acts. He also cited earlier incidents of shrine vandalism and desecration that went unpunished.

He urged the government to immediately arrest and prosecute those involved in the killing and to ensure justice for all shrine-related violence. Haque also called on all devout citizens to speak out against such killings.

This year’s Hajj flight operations will begin on April 17, with Prime Minister Tarek Rahman scheduled to inaugurate the program that night. The announcement was made by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) after a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management held at the Secretariat on April 12, which was chaired by the Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed officials on how to serve pilgrims properly, emphasizing that no injustice or misconduct toward Hajj participants would be tolerated. The minister added that the Prime Minister is highly attentive to the welfare of pilgrims and plans to visit the Hajj camp personally within a few days to observe preparations.

Concerns have been raised about potential complications in Hajj flights due to rising fuel prices. When asked about this, the minister expressed confidence that there would be no difficulties, describing the pilgrims as “guests of Allah” and assuring that all necessary arrangements would be made.

Islami Bank’s board of directors has placed its Managing Director, Md. Omar Faruk Khan, on one and a half months of leave effective from April 13, 2026. According to bank sources, the decision will take effect from tomorrow. Khan had originally applied for a 15-day leave starting April 28, but the board extended the duration and adjusted the dates to run from April 13 to May 31.

The bank’s chairman, Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts by reporters. Omar Faruk Khan was appointed as the Managing Director of Islami Bank in August of the previous year.

No official explanation for the extended leave has been provided by the bank, and it remains unclear whether an acting managing director has been appointed during Khan’s absence.

A student leader in Baraigram, Natore, has been expelled from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal following allegations that he raped his underage sister-in-law, who is now reportedly three months pregnant. The expulsion order, signed by the district office secretary Asif Iqbal Notun, was issued on Sunday morning, citing involvement in unethical activities. The accused, Iqbal Hossain, was removed from his position as joint convener of Bonpara Municipal Chhatra Dal and from primary membership of the organization.

According to the victim’s family, Iqbal, an electrician from Gurumshail area, had been in a relationship with his 16-year-old sister-in-law for a year. His wife alleged that on January 10, he went to her father’s house under the pretext of political work and forcibly raped the girl. The incident came to light when the girl fell ill and was found to be pregnant. She went missing on April 3 but was later rescued by police on April 10.

A case has been filed with Baraigram Police Station, and the officer-in-charge confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque stated that the ordinances repealed through parliamentary bills will be reviewed later to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. He emphasized that those claiming the government opposes a strong Human Rights Commission, a Supreme Court Secretariat, or transparency in judicial appointments are mistaken. According to him, the BNP intends to make these laws more transparent, accountable, and contemporary as part of its electoral commitments. He added that any rational public demand receives the highest consideration from the BNP.

The minister made these remarks on Sunday at a press conference held in the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat. He explained that, under Article 93 of the Constitution, the government was constitutionally obliged to present 133 ordinances issued by the previous interim government before the 13th National Parliament within the stipulated time. The ordinances were then referred to a special parliamentary committee for examination.

The special committee completed its review and submitted its report to Parliament on April 2. Based on that report, the ordinances were recently introduced as bills and discussed in Parliament.

Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, has assured that Bangladeshi ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait will soon be able to cross safely. Speaking on April 12, 2026, at a memorial and anti-war exhibition organized by the Revolutionary Student Council at Dhaka University, he said Iran would provide necessary assistance to ensure the safe journey of Bangladeshi vessels affected by the ongoing war situation.

The ambassador explained that many ships, including some from Bangladesh, were stuck in the strait due to the conflict. He confirmed that Iran was in discussions with the Bangladesh government to expedite their release. Jahanabadi also highlighted the friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Iran, describing Bangladesh as a brotherly nation. He welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding Iran–US tensions and thanked Oman and other involved countries.

He further stated that Iran would adhere to the ceasefire as long as the United States respected it, warning that any violation would prompt a response. The envoy accused the US of aggression aimed at regime change in Iran and condemned US–Israeli attacks on civilians, calling them acts of genocide.