Dilip Kumar Agarwala, a high-profile businessman and one of Sheikh Hasina’s key financiers, has been mysteriously released from Keraniganj Central Jail under strict secrecy, raising questions in legal circles. He was granted bail on September 27 in a Gulshan murder case, and just three days later, on September 30, he was quietly freed without any intelligence reports submitted during the period. Lawyers allege that such a swift release would not have been possible without direct assistance from influential state officials. Dilip had been imprisoned for about a year, spending much of it in a VIP hospital cabin with access to family visits and alleged mobile phone threats to plaintiffs. He faces over a dozen ongoing legal cases, including multiple murder charges, and investigations into massive illegal wealth accumulation and gold smuggling across India, Canada, and the U.S. His current whereabouts remain unknown, with speculation he may have crossed the border.

The 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination results reveal a steep decline in student performance across Bangladesh. Out of about 1.25 million candidates, more than 500,000 failed, bringing the national pass rate down to 58.83%—the lowest in the past ten years. The Dhaka Education Board led with a 64.62% pass rate, while Cumilla lagged behind with only 48.86%. Other boards scored between 50% and 62%. A total of 69,097 students secured GPA-5, but 202 institutions saw no students pass, a significant rise from 65 last year. Female students continued to outperform males, achieving a 63% pass rate compared to 55% for boys. The data reflect a concerning downward trend in educational outcomes, raising questions about teaching quality, exam standards, and post-pandemic recovery in the education sector.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has announced it will not sign the July Charter unless it can first review the draft of the implementation order. Party Convener Nahid Islam said the order must be made public before signing and issued by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus as head of government, not president. At a press conference on October 16, Nahid alleged that political parties were excluded from reviewing the July Declaration’s content and that several key narratives were omitted. He insisted that 84 unresolved issues be placed under a national referendum and dismissed any “symbolic or dramatic formalities” without a legal foundation. The NCP also demanded elections be held in February, accusing the Election Commission of losing neutrality over the party’s electoral symbol. Nahid warned that any attempt to enforce decisions through pressure would be unacceptable.

The Bangladesh Bank has released a directive reminding citizens that 1 and 2 taka coins remain valid legal tender across the country. The central bank observed that in several areas, people are unwilling to accept or use these small-denomination coins in financial transactions. In its statement issued on Wednesday (October 15) by the Department of Communications and Publications, the bank emphasized that refusing to transact with legal currency constitutes a violation of existing monetary laws. Bangladesh Bank urged all individuals, businesses, and institutions to treat both paper notes and metal coins equally in cash dealings. The bank further requested public cooperation to maintain trust and efficiency in the nation’s financial system, ensuring the smooth circulation of all valid currency.

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been published, revealing a dramatic drop in the overall pass rate across Bangladesh. According to data from 11 education boards, only 58.83 percent of students passed this year, marking an alarming decline of 18.95 percentage points compared to last year’s results. A total of 1,251,111 students participated in the examinations under all boards. The results were officially released at 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2025, through education board websites, exam centers, institutions, and SMS services. Education analysts and teachers expressed concern over the steep fall, pointing to possible reasons such as syllabus changes, post-pandemic academic disruptions, and stricter evaluation standards. Authorities have promised to analyze the situation and take measures to improve the pass rate in the coming years.

The prosecution is set to conclude its final arguments today in the war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other accused, related to atrocities allegedly committed during the July Movement. The hearing is being held at International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. Over the past sessions, prosecutors presented witness testimonies, phone call analyses involving Hasanul Haq Inu, former Dhaka mayor Tapas, and a former DU vice-chancellor, along with video clips, reports, and other documentary evidence. Once the prosecution wraps up, state-appointed defense lawyers for Sheikh Hasina will present counterarguments. Following rebuttals from both sides, the tribunal will set a date for the verdict. In separate proceedings today, ICT-1 continues hearing testimony in the Chandkharpool six-murder case, while ICT-2 records witness statements in the Ashulia six-body burning case.

In a historic landslide, the Shibir-backed “Sampreeti Students’ Alliance” has won 24 of the 26 positions in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election, including the top posts of Vice President (VP) and General Secretary (GS). Ibrahim Hossain Roni and Saeed Bin Habib were elected as VP and GS, respectively. The alliance also secured all five executive member positions. Only two posts went to other groups—Ayubur Rahman Taufiq from the BNP-backed panel won as Assistant General Secretary (AGS), and Tamanna Mahbub Preeti won as Assistant Sports Secretary. The Shibir-supported winners have taken major roles across cultural, welfare, IT, environment, research, and rights portfolios. This result marks a major political shift in the university’s student politics, signaling renewed dominance of Shibir-backed student groups in CU campus affairs.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced major schedule improvements for metro passengers in Dhaka. Starting Sunday, October 19, metro rail service hours will be extended by one hour daily — trains will begin operating 30 minutes earlier in the morning and continue 30 minutes later at night. On Fridays, operations will start at 2:30 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. DMTCL also plans to increase the number of metro trips by mid-November, reducing the gap between trains from 10 to 8 minutes. Before finalizing the changes, additional test runs will be conducted. Currently, 12 of 24 train sets are in regular operation, but with the extended schedule, 19 sets will be used. The improvements aim to accommodate growing passenger demand and enhance convenience for commuters across the Uttara–Motijheel route. Metro service was first launched in December 2022 and continues to expand toward Kamalapur.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has clarified that the government has not raised edible oil prices, countering public confusion after refiners announced new rates. Speaking to reporters in Purbachal on Tuesday (October 14), he emphasized that traders cannot increase prices without the Commerce Ministry’s approval and warned that the government will take necessary action against unauthorized changes. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association had earlier stated that, following discussions with the ministry, prices were adjusted in line with the international market. Their announcement raised the prices of bottled and loose soybean and palm oils effective from October 14. Following this, many assumed that the government had approved the hike. However, the adviser stressed that no such directive had been issued and that the government is maintaining strict market monitoring to prevent arbitrary price increases by traders.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Bangladesh’s GDP growth to reach around 4.9% in the current fiscal year—slightly higher than last year’s 3.97%, but still below the government’s 5.5% target. According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook 2025, inflation, which had declined in recent months, is likely to rise again due to higher commodity prices. Economic activity and import costs are also expected to increase, widening the current account deficit as dollar spending outpaces earnings. Despite these challenges, the IMF predicts steady growth over the next few years, reaching 6.5% by 2029–30. Bangladesh’s current account deficit, once 4% of GDP in 2021–22, has since dropped to 1.4% in 2023–24, though further pressure on foreign reserves remains likely.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has instructed the National Citizen Party (NCP) to select a new election symbol by October 19, after deciding that the party cannot use the Shapla (water lily) emblem. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the decision while speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters on Tuesday, October 14. He stated that if the NCP fails to propose an alternative symbol by the deadline, the Election Commission will assign one on its own. According to the secretary, the commission sees no necessity to include the Shapla symbol in the registration process. He added that if the NCP refuses to accept registration without the Shapla, it will be the party’s own choice. The directive signals the EC’s firm stance on regulating political symbols to maintain clarity and avoid duplication in upcoming elections.

Interim Government Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has announced a major digital reform that will allow bail orders to be sent directly from courts to prisons with a single click. Speaking at an event at the Supreme Court Auditorium, Dr. Nazrul said that currently, an accused person must go through 12 lengthy and often corrupt steps before being released after securing bail. From Wednesday, the new online bail system will automatically deliver bail documents to the relevant prison, eliminating delays, costs, and harassment. He emphasized that this initiative was developed entirely with government funds, without any external assistance. Dr. Nazrul also revealed that during the interim government’s tenure, several key laws—including those on the judicial secretariat, enforced disappearances, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and human rights—will be finalized soon. Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman chaired the event, joined by Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rauf and Barrister Anik R. Haque.

Dhaka’s former Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, has been temporarily suspended over serious allegations of corruption and misconduct during the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. According to a law ministry order issued on September 29, the decision was made following consultation with the Supreme Court. Investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) found evidence of bribery, manipulation of bail, and misuse of judicial power. Chowdhury allegedly turned his court into a hub of political favoritism, punishing opposition leaders while profiting from illegal case settlements and auction scams. He is also accused of misappropriating seized vehicles and securing multiple land plots through abuse of authority. Sources claim his misconduct severely damaged the judiciary’s reputation. Chowdhury denies wrongdoing, saying the ACC probe will clear him. The suspension has been widely welcomed within legal circles.

Bangladesh’s National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) is set to introduce a new interoperable payment system on November 1, 2025, allowing seamless transactions across mobile financial services (MFS) such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, as well as banks and payment service providers (PSPs). Under this system, bank-to-MFS transfers will cost Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, MFS-to-bank transfers Tk 8.50 per Tk 1,000, bank-to-bank transfers Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, and bank-to-PSP transfers Tk 2 per Tk 1,000. Recipients will not be charged any fees. The move aims to reduce reliance on cash and promote digital transactions across the country. The service will operate within existing transaction limits of banks, MFS operators, and PSPs. For internet banking transfers between banks, previous rules will remain in effect. The circular was issued by Bangladesh Bank’s Payment Systems Department on October 13, 2025.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) announced that it will soon publish a list of interim government advisers allegedly seeking a “safe exit” through political deals. The controversy began when NCP Convener Nahid Islam claimed that several advisers were liaising with political parties to secure personal benefits. His remarks sparked intense debate, with at least five advisers publicly responding—some demanding evidence, others condemning his statement. Senior NCP leader Samantha Sharmin defended Nahid, saying he spoke from firsthand observation as a former adviser himself. Party insiders claim some advisers are acting under the influence of a particular political group, undermining the spirit of the student-led uprising that brought the interim government to power. NCP leaders accuse remnants of the previous regime’s “mafia media establishment” of trying to discredit student leadership while ignoring corruption and extortion across the country. The situation continues to fuel divisions within the interim administration.