Dhaka University’s Sada Dal, a group of teachers aligned with Bangladeshi nationalism, has expressed deep concern and astonishment over the current activities and direction of the National Pay Commission. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s convenor Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan and joint convenors Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar said the commission has failed to reflect the expectations it was formed to meet.

The statement noted that the commission’s current working methods and decision-making process have disappointed the teaching community. The group praised Professor Dr. Md. Maksudur Rahman Sarkar, a Dhaka University teacher, for resigning from the commission, calling his decision a principled stance that highlights the lack of a healthy and objective environment within the body. The Sada Dal said it had earlier presented specific demands to the commission’s chairman, who had promised to consider them, but no visible action has followed.

The group demanded that the commission urgently correct its current shortcomings and submit recommendations that uphold the dignity and interests of university teachers, warning that any pay structure undermining teachers’ status would be unacceptable.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been indefinitely suspended after players boycotted matches in protest against comments made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam. The boycott led to the cancellation of scheduled matches, including Chattogram Royals versus Noakhali Express and Sylhet Titans versus Rajshahi Warriors. Despite BCB relieving Nazmul Islam of his duties, players did not return to the field, prompting the suspension.

The dispute began when players, through their association, demanded Nazmul Islam’s resignation following his controversial remarks. The BCB later announced his removal in an official statement, citing the board’s interests and confirming that the decision complied with Article 31 of its constitution. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul will temporarily oversee the finance committee.

The indefinite suspension leaves the future of the ongoing BPL season uncertain, as players have yet to signal a return despite the administrative action taken by the board.

Five leaders of the banned Chhatra League were arrested in Cox’s Bazar while visiting the beach area. The group included presidents and general secretaries of the organization’s upazila units in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi and Pakundia. They were detained by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members on Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m. near the Cox’s Bazar airport area, based on secret information. On Thursday afternoon, the detainees were taken into police custody and transferred to the relevant police station.

The arrested individuals were identified as Sheikh Samrat Alamgir, president of Katiadi Upazila Chhatra League; Md. Roni Khan Shuvo, general secretary; Habibur Rahman Rakib, joint general secretary; Samad Ullah; and Tofayel Ahmed Tuhin, general secretary of Pakundia Upazila Chhatra League. Although RAB-15 in Cox’s Bazar did not confirm the arrests, Katiadi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman verified the detention and transfer of the five leaders.

The report did not mention the specific reasons behind the arrests or any subsequent legal actions following their transfer to Katiadi police custody.

A case has been filed in a Dhaka court against five individuals, including three officials of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). The case was lodged by Muha. Tajul Islam, adviser to the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology (USET), before Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hasan Shahadat’s court. The court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the allegations and submit a report.

According to the case, USET, located in Narayanganj’s Signboard area, manages two websites—www.uset.ac.bd and www.uset.edu.bd. The university had requested BTCL not to share the admin panel password in April 2025. Later, BTCL raised objections regarding the domain and demanded Tk 23,000 and related documents by November 30, 2025. Although the university submitted the payment and documents, BTCL allegedly refused to accept them, citing an expired deadline.

The complaint further states that after legal notices and a High Court petition, the accused shut down both university domains on January 11, causing significant damage. The court has ordered CID to probe the matter and report its findings.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has expressed optimism about maintaining an electoral alliance under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, despite internal disagreements. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of top alliance leaders at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Thursday, he said efforts would continue to keep the coalition united and that the process of forming the alliance would move forward regardless of differing opinions.

Nahid Islam stated that the alliance reflects public aspirations and that the upcoming election is expected to be competitive. He added that a participatory contest would help advance democracy. According to him, the short time available for forming the alliance has led to some differences, but these are expected to be resolved soon.

He further announced that there would be no individual party candidates in the 300 parliamentary constituencies, as all candidates would represent the alliance, with each party supporting the others.

Inqilab Manch has rejected the charge sheet filed in the murder case of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, accusing the state of severe negligence and non-cooperation in the investigation. The organization made the allegation during an emergency press conference held Thursday afternoon in front of Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, following a court hearing on the charge sheet review. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber stated that the group expressed formal dissatisfaction with the investigation report and charge sheet during the hearing.

Jaber questioned the conduct of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, citing contradictory statements about the suspect’s whereabouts and the failure to provide him, as the complainant, with a copy of the case. He described the charge sheet as vague and incomplete, claiming it omitted the names of key planners and downplayed the involvement of an organized group. He also alleged that Hadi had filed a general diary before his death reporting death threats, which police initially denied.

Inqilab Manch announced nationwide sit-ins and protest rallies on Friday, vowing to continue demonstrations until justice for Osman Hadi’s murder is ensured.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged irregularities and bias in the handling of postal ballots, claiming that the process favored a particular political party. He made the remarks on Thursday, January 15, after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) secretary at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Ahmed said complaints had emerged regarding the preparation, dispatch, and use of postal ballots, which he argued undermined the transparency of the electoral process.

He noted that this was Bangladesh’s first initiative to allow expatriates to exercise their voting rights, which might explain some procedural errors. However, he pointed to social media posts showing large numbers of ballots found in private homes, reports of ballot seizures, and instances of ballots being received by individuals other than the intended voters. Ahmed demanded clear explanations from the EC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how ballots were sent abroad, how expatriates were to vote, and who would be accountable for any irregularities.

The EC reportedly assured that it would review the issues and might provide an explanation later the same day.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting covered progress on issuing Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 displaced Rohingyas living in Saudi Arabia, manpower export, trade expansion, preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, and an invitation for Bangladesh to join the World Defense Show in Riyadh.

The adviser described Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as close friends, noting the deep emotional and economic ties between the two nations through over 3.2 million Bangladeshi expatriate workers. He requested increased manpower recruitment from Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador inquired about the Rohingya passport process, and the adviser said significant progress had been made, with special teams sent to accelerate the work despite low enrollment attendance.

The adviser also briefed the ambassador on election security preparations, including training for law enforcement and ongoing operations to recover illegal weapons. He declined to attend the February 2026 World Defense Show due to the national election but confirmed that Bangladesh would send a representative.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum supporting the July Charter. Speaking as chief guest at an Imam Conference held at Chattogram District Stadium on Thursday, he said the charter was prepared through nine months of open discussions with political parties and aims to ensure accountability, judicial independence, and balanced governance. He emphasized that the referendum’s symbol is a tick mark and that it seeks public consent for the foundational document guiding the country’s future.

Riaz criticized past concentration of power in one individual’s hands and alleged misuse of presidential pardon powers and partisan appointments in key institutions such as the Election Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission. He said the July Charter proposes parliamentary reforms, including opposition leadership in three committees, financial transparency, and representation for smaller parties. He also rejected misinformation claiming the charter would remove references to religion or the 1971 Liberation War.

He urged religious leaders and citizens to campaign for the 'Yes' vote, asserting that the charter reflects the sacrifices of ordinary people and must not fail.

Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Masum Mostafa has regained his candidacy for the Netrakona-5 (Purbadhala) constituency after an appeal to the Election Commission. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a hearing at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin with other commissioners present. Earlier, on January 4, the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman had canceled his nomination.

According to the district returning office, Masum Mostafa had provided incorrect information regarding a court verdict in his nomination papers, which led to the cancellation under election law. Masum stated that the error was unintentional and expressed gratitude to the Election Commission and his constituency voters after his appeal restored his candidacy.

Previously, the district returning officer had validated the nominations of BNP candidate Abu Taher Talukder and Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Nurul Islam for the same constituency, which has a total of 290,117 registered voters, including two from the third gender.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that the ongoing alliance process will move forward even if some members hold differing opinions. He made the remarks on Thursday at a press briefing following a meeting of top leaders from ten parties held at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The meeting was part of an eleven-party seat-sharing alliance aimed at contesting upcoming elections.

Nahid emphasized that the alliance carries political significance and reflects a shared aspiration for a competitive election. He said the coalition’s agenda focuses on reform, anti-corruption, and opposition to dominance, and that all members intend to participate in the election in a united manner. He also noted that although minor differences exist as the process evolves, these are being resolved through discussion.

He added that compromise means mutual cooperation among all parties and that alliance candidates will work in support of one another to strengthen democratic participation.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that the July Uprising Protection and Indemnity Determination Act has been approved. He made the statement on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium. Nazrul said that any criminal cases related to political resistance during July and August will be withdrawn by the government, and no new cases will be filed. Authorities are also reviewing whether any cases exist against participants in the July uprising.

Earlier, on January 8, Nazrul had posted on Facebook that the draft of the indemnity ordinance had been finalized. He explained that the initiative aims to protect the heroes of the July revolution from associates of the former fascist government and to recognize their resistance activities. He argued that such legislation is lawful and internationally recognized, citing examples from the Arab Spring and other revolutions.

Nazrul further stated that Article 46 of the Bangladesh Constitution provides clear legitimacy for indemnity laws, recalling that a similar law was enacted in 1973 to protect freedom fighters after the Liberation War.

A Dhaka court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out further investigation into the murder case of Inkilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi and to submit its report by January 20. The order was issued on Thursday, January 15, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam. According to DMP Prosecution Division DC Mia Mohammad Ashis Bin Hasan, the court instructed CID to re-investigate and file the report within the specified deadline.

Earlier, on January 6, the Detective Branch (DB) police submitted a charge sheet naming 17 accused in the case. However, Inkilab Moncho expressed dissatisfaction with the DB’s report. During Monday’s hearing, Abdullah Al Jaber requested two additional days to review the charge sheet, which the court granted, setting Thursday for its acceptance.

On the same day, the complainant filed a petition expressing discontent with the DB’s charge sheet. Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Mukul represented the complainant during the hearing.

Police in Dhaka’s Badda area have arrested four individuals in connection with the murder of Nazmul Haque Niaz, who was killed in his home between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on December 29, 2025. The suspects—Sifat Hossain (21), Sakib Al Hasan (19), Rayan (20), and Nayon Pramanik (21)—were detained in separate operations in Gazipur and Moghbazar on January 14, 2026. Authorities recovered a television, a mobile phone, and clothing used during the crime.

According to Badda police, Niaz first met a man named Alif through a banned gay app, who later introduced him to Sifat and Sakib. The suspects reportedly visited Niaz’s home multiple times, used drugs, and developed a physical relationship. When they needed money for personal expenses, they planned to extort Niaz. On December 29, they bought a knife, and Sifat fatally attacked Niaz after he became semi-conscious. The group then fled with two Samsung phones, a television, and a wallet.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s media division confirmed the arrests and recovery of evidence following the investigation.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered a major racket involved in stealing and selling confidential national identity (NID) data. Two Election Commission employees—a computer operator and a data entry operator—were arrested in Dhaka on January 14 and 15, 2026. They allegedly used secret login credentials to access and sell sensitive citizen information through social media, earning over ten million taka monthly.

Investigators found that data entry operator Md Alamin shared his high-level access ID and password with computer operator Md Habibullah in exchange for weekly payments. Habibullah then sold NID records online for 200 to 300 taka each. An internal Election Commission probe revealed that 112,150 NID records were accessed in one week and 365,608 in a month, generating an estimated 110 million taka. The suspects admitted to using OTP transfers to enter the main server and selling data for profit.

A case has been filed under the Cyber Security Act and the National Identity Registration Act at Paltan Model Police Station. CID’s Cyber Police Center is currently investigating the case.