Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Paltan Model Police Station has recovered 105 lost mobile phones and returned them to their rightful owners. The recovery operation took place between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, across various parts of the country. The effort followed general diary reports filed by phone owners, and the police used technological tools to trace and retrieve the devices. Assistant Police Commissioner Hossain Muhammad Farabi and ASI Iqbal Hossain played key roles in the operation.

On January 20, 2026, the recovered phones were officially handed over to their owners at a ceremony held in the Paltan Model Police Station conference room. The event was attended by Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, Assistant Police Commissioner Farabi, and other officials. According to police sources, the station had previously recovered and returned more than six hundred lost phones over the past year.

Owners expressed happiness at the quick recovery of their phones and extended gratitude to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for their efforts.

A total of 1,967 candidates will contest in Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election after 305 contenders withdrew their nominations on the final day for withdrawal, according to the Election Commission. The Commission will allocate election symbols to candidates today, with registered parties receiving their official symbols and independents choosing from approved options. Campaigning will officially begin tomorrow and continue until the morning of February 10, ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election and national referendum, both to be held on the same day.

Among the remaining candidates are 290 from the BNP, 216 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 259 from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 196 from Jatiya Party, 30 from the National Citizens Party, and 92 from Gano Adhikar Parishad. Over 300 independents are also contesting, including several BNP dissidents and expelled Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique. The election will feature 49 registered political parties, while 11 others, including the suspended Awami League, are not participating.

The government has launched extensive campaigns urging citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum. For the first time, expatriates and certain domestic voters can cast ballots via online postal registration, with more than 1.53 million already registered.

In the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami did not withdraw its nominations in two constituencies of Narsingdi district, despite a decision by the 10-party alliance it leads. The party’s candidates are district secretary general Upadhyaksha Amjad Hossain in Narsingdi-2 (Palash) and Shibpur upazila amir Mostafizur Rahman Kawsar in Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur). The alliance had nominated Golam Sarwar Tushar of the NCP for Narsingdi-2 and Maulana Rakibul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis for Narsingdi-3. January 20 was the final date for nomination withdrawal.

Jamaat candidates claimed they were fully prepared to comply with the party’s directive to withdraw but were prevented by local activists who locked their homes and confined them, making withdrawal impossible. Narsingdi district Jamaat’s publicity secretary Advocate Amirul Islam Amir confirmed that the party had instructed both candidates to withdraw but that leaders faced resistance from local activists when they tried to enforce the decision.

NCP activists expressed anger, accusing Jamaat of violating the alliance’s collective decision. The situation has created tension within the 10-party coalition over candidate coordination in Narsingdi.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair has rejected allegations that his party engaged women in early election campaigning, calling the claims completely false. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, after symbol allocation for constituencies Dhaka-15 and Dhaka-13, he said all campaign materials were removed immediately after the election schedule was announced, without waiting for the Election Commission’s directive.

Zubair alleged that false propaganda was being spread to damage the unity of the ten-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. He further claimed that a particular group had incited attacks on their female voters and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur. He also reported that party workers had been attacked in various areas and that the matter had been conveyed to the returning officer.

He emphasized that the upcoming national election is highly significant and that a concurrent referendum would give legal basis to long-standing reform processes. Zubair expressed hope for a fair, peaceful, and secure election.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi challenging the Election Commission’s decision regarding his nomination for the Comilla-4 constituency. The order was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil. Following the dismissal, lawyers confirmed that Munshi will not be able to contest in the election.

Earlier, on January 1, Munshi had filed the writ petition seeking to overturn the Election Commission’s decision that invalidated his nomination. The Election Commission had rejected his nomination appeal on January 17. The writ petition also sought a stay on the Commission’s January 17 decision.

During the hearing, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Hamidul Misbah, and Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun represented Munshi, while Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiqi, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, and Advocate Mujahidul Islam Shaheen appeared for Hasnat Abdullah.

Justice Farah Mahbub of the Supreme Court has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission. The appointment was made through a government notification issued by the Ministry of Law on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, under the directive of the President.

Before this appointment, Justice Farah Mahbub was promoted to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on March 24, 2025, and her appointment took effect after the oath-taking on March 25. She is the fifth woman to serve as a justice in the Appellate Division. Justice Mahbub began her legal career in 1992 at the district court level after completing her LLB and LLM from the University of Dhaka. She became an advocate of the High Court in 1994 and of the Appellate Division in 2002.

She was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court on August 23, 2004, and became a permanent judge in 2006. Justice Farah Mahbub is the daughter of former minister and prominent lawyer Advocate Mahbubur Rahman.

Election symbols have been distributed among 31 candidates contesting in five parliamentary constituencies of Jamalpur district. The allocation took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, under the supervision of Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Yusuf Ali. Candidates and their representatives were present during the event. Following the withdrawal of three candidates on Tuesday, a total of 31 contenders, including independents and party nominees, will compete in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

In Jamalpur-1 (Dewanganj-Bakshiganj), four candidates received symbols, while Jamalpur-2 (Islampur) also has four contenders. Jamalpur-3 (Melandah-Madaripur) will see nine candidates, Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) six, and Jamalpur-5 (Sadar) eight. The candidates represent various political parties including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, and several others, along with independent candidates.

According to the report, campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Jamalpur is set to begin from Thursday, following the symbol distribution.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh has launched the second phase of the e-bail bond service in eight districts—Manikganj, Bandarban, Meherpur, Joypurhat, Moulvibazar, Panchagarh, Jhalakathi, and Sherpur. The service was inaugurated on Wednesday at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry. The initiative aims to modernize the judicial system and reduce the suffering of litigants. Previously, the service was introduced in Narayanganj, where it has been operating successfully.

According to the ministry, the e-bail bond system allows detainees to be released within an hour through online submission, eliminating multiple procedural steps and reducing time and cost. Dr. Nazrul stated that the digital process ensures full record-keeping of signatures and prevents intentional delays. He expressed hope that the service will be expanded to all 64 districts in phases.

He further mentioned that the ministry aims to introduce the e-bail bond service nationwide within six months and expects future governments to continue this essential digital reform.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned an attack on its activists in Mirpur’s Pirerbag area of Dhaka. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that local BNP activists confined female Jamaat members during a meeting at a house near Alimuddin High School from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. When Jamaat and Shibir activists tried to rescue them, they were attacked, leaving at least 16 people injured. The victims were later rescued with the help of police and the army and are now receiving treatment in hospitals.

Porwar denounced the incident as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the election process and spread fear among voters. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and urged the administration and Election Commission to ensure a level playing field before the election. He also called for strict measures to improve law and order and protect public safety.

The statement further claimed that in Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s constituency, Dhaka-15, organized efforts were being made to destabilize the situation and influence the election outcome.

Bobby Hajjaj and Maulana Mamunul Haque have officially received their election symbols for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The allocation took place on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute (ETI) building in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the supervision of Returning Officer Md. Yunus Ali. Bobby Hajjaj, nominated by the BNP, received the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol, while Maulana Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and candidate from the Jamaat alliance, received the 'rickshaw' symbol.

On behalf of Bobby Hajjaj, his chief election assistant Kazi Md. Yusuf collected the symbol, and Mamunul Haque’s younger brother Mashrurul Haque collected his. The symbol distribution marks the formal start of campaign preparations in Dhaka-13, where both candidates will compete for parliamentary representation.

The event also included symbol allocations for Dhaka-15, conducted under the same returning officer, as part of the Election Commission’s preparations for the February 12 national polls.

BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahadi Amin announced that the party will hold discussions with rebel candidates who remain in the electoral field despite the nomination withdrawal deadline having passed. Speaking at a press conference in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Wednesday, he said that if any candidate continues to defy party decisions after these talks, organizational measures will be taken against them under the party constitution.

Amin explained that after fifteen years of anti-fascist movements, many dedicated BNP leaders were unable to participate in elections, and the current polls have naturally created internal competition within the party. He emphasized that only one candidate can be nominated per constituency, and the leadership will engage in phased discussions with those still contesting independently.

He further stated that BNP expects all leaders and activists, including those from affiliated organizations, to work unitedly for the victory of the official “sheaf of paddy” candidates. Those who act outside party decisions or fail in their responsibilities will also face organizational consequences.

A report by the Road Safety Foundation revealed that 219 people were killed and 511 injured in 409 road accidents across Dhaka in 2025. The data, released through a press statement by the organization’s executive director Saidur Rahman, showed that 80.36 percent of the victims were men, 11.41 percent women, and 8.21 percent children. Pedestrians accounted for 47.03 percent of the fatalities, while motorcyclists and passengers made up 43.37 percent.

The report identified that most accidents occurred at night, accounting for 41.56 percent of total incidents. Buses were involved in 24.87 percent of the accidents, while trucks and similar heavy vehicles made up 35.14 percent. The foundation attributed the rising number of accidents to severe mismanagement in traffic operations, reckless driving, and the absence of a bypass road, which allows heavy vehicles to move through the city at night. Key accident hotspots included Jatrabari, Demra, Mohammadpur, Kuril Bishwa Road, and Airport Road.

To reduce accidents, the report recommended measures such as introducing company-based bus services, removing unfit vehicles, creating separate bus lanes, enforcing school transport systems, building bypass roads, and improving pedestrian infrastructure.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will begin his election campaign tour on Thursday, January 22, starting from Dhaka. He is scheduled to address a public rally in Mirpur-10 under the Dhaka-15 constituency in the afternoon. The campaign is part of the 10-party electoral alliance’s preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, following the finalization of candidate lists and allocation of election symbols.

According to the party’s central publicity department, Dr. Rahman will continue his campaign in northern Bangladesh on January 23 and 24. He will attend rallies in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur as the chief guest. On January 24, he will visit the grave of July uprising martyr Abu Sayeed at Begum Rokeya University and later address a rally in Palashbari, Gaibandha. Jamaat and its allied parties have undertaken extensive preparations for the campaign, with top leaders planning nationwide tours.

The alliance’s campaign will also include outreach in support of a referendum’s “Yes” side, with the participation of Islami Chhatra Shibir across the country.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has received the football symbol to contest in the Dhaka-9 constituency. She collected the symbol on Wednesday afternoon from the Dhaka Divisional Office. Following the allocation, she expressed that residents of Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, and Mugda areas had been asking about her election symbol, and now they have a clear answer.

Dr. Jara stated that she will compete in the election under the football symbol and will begin her campaign the next day. She emphasized that her campaign will focus on transparency and accountability in politics, reflecting the kind of political culture she wishes to promote. She also requested prayers and good wishes from the public.

The announcement marks the start of her formal campaign activities in Dhaka-9, where she aims to engage voters through her independent platform centered on clean and responsible politics.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the start of the trial against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, issued the order on January 21, 2026, after forming charges in a case related to crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The decision followed hearings held on January 15, where both prosecution and defense presented arguments.

According to the case, on July 14, 2024, Palak allegedly made an inciting statement on Facebook under Joy’s direction, leading to violent attacks the next day on protesters at Dhaka University and other locations by police and armed groups. The charges include incitement to violence, aiding killings, and involvement in 34 murders in Uttara. The prosecution had earlier submitted formal charges on December 4, and the tribunal had ordered Joy to surrender through newspaper notices on December 10.

The tribunal’s order marks the formal beginning of proceedings in one of the key cases arising from the July 2024 events, with both defendants facing serious allegations of crimes against humanity.