Bangladesh’s Supreme Court Appellate Division has upheld the acquittal of Tarique Rahman, former State Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, and others in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The devastating 2004 attack on an Awami League rally left dozens dead and injured hundreds. A trial court had issued harsh sentences, but the High Court overturned them on December 1 last year, acquitting the accused.

Following the High Court’s detailed verdict, the state filed appeals, which the Appellate Division has now dismissed, keeping the acquittals intact.

A Bangladeshi national has died while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Italy. His body was recovered late Monday from a migrant boat near Lampedusa, according to the Italian Coast Guard and Financial Police.

The vessel, which departed from North Africa, carried 52 migrants—51 of whom were rescued alive. Authorities suspect the Bangladeshi died from inhaling toxic fuel fumes. His identity remains unknown.

Survivors from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Sudan, and Bangladesh reported that another migrant had fallen overboard during the journey and could not be saved.

Italy says 43,860 irregular migrants have landed by sea so far this year, including 13,271 Bangladeshis—the largest national group.

A violent attack targeted the Sohag Paribahan ticket counter and the adjacent residence of its owner, Palash Talukdar, near Malibagh Railgate late Wednesday night.

Around 11:15 PM, a group of 60–70 men stormed the counter, smashing property and launching a brutal assault. Palash Talukdar sustained injuries, while his driver Mamun was critically wounded by sharp weapons.

Palash’s brother, Majedul Haque Nadim, alleged that members of the ruling party’s volunteer wing carried out the attack. Police confirmed that a team rushed to the scene after receiving a 999 emergency call.

BNP leader Shama Obaid promised that if BNP forms the next government, it will ensure employment opportunities for students and youth, while eliminating partisan favoritism in recruitment.
She said, “Tarique Rahman’s 31-point reform program, inspired by Ziaur Rahman’s 19-point vision, will be delivered to every household. To build a new Bangladesh, reforms in every sector are essential.”

Accusing the Awami League of destroying institutions and looting national wealth before fleeing, she stressed the need to implement the 31-point agenda for good governance, accountability, and balanced power between the president and prime minister.
Key reforms include limiting any individual to two terms as prime minister and establishing a bicameral parliament.

Shama said BNP would introduce a “Family Card” for marginalized communities and ensure jobs based on merit, not political affiliation.
“The fascist Awami League is gone, but until people’s voting rights are fully restored, our movement must continue,” she concluded.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique, arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act, has withdrawn his bail application, according to his lawyer Mohsin Reza.
The withdrawal was made from the relevant branch of the CMM Court.

Meanwhile, of the 15 others arrested in the same case, six — Golam Mostafa, Zakir Hossain, Tousif-ul Bari Khan, Amir Hossain, Shafiqul Islam, and Abdullahil Qayyum — also applied for bail, but their petitions were rejected by the court.

Female students at Rajshahi University’s July 36 Hall staged a late-night protest demanding the permanent expulsion of a Chhatra Dal leader who derogatorily referred to women entering the dormitory after 11 PM as “unpaid sex workers.”

The protest began around 10:30 PM on Wednesday in front of the hall, where students issued three demands:

Permanent expulsion of Anisur Rahman Milon, Shah Makhdum Hall Chhatra Dal’s vice-president.

Cancellation of his nomination papers and a public apology.

Formation of a cyber-bullying cell to hold accountable those making abusive online comments.

Following the outrage, Chhatra Dal announced Milon’s temporary suspension and formed a two-member investigation committee. Rajshahi University Proctor Prof. Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that a show-cause notice would be issued against him.

BNP leader and freedom fighter Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir recalled that it was the declaration of independence by Ziaur Rahman in 1971 that inspired him to join the Liberation War.
He said, “Since then, I have worked as a dedicated follower of Ziaur Rahman, a visionary leader. But democracy in Bangladesh has repeatedly stumbled and is now facing its deepest crisis since independence. Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian government continues to conspire against the nation.”

Monir praised Khaleda Zia for leading movements against dictatorship and standing by people in every crisis. He added that Tarique Rahman would soon lead Bangladesh as Prime Minister, completing the unfinished tasks of Ziaur Rahman and those left incomplete due to conspiracies against Khaleda Zia.
He also alleged that people in Rupganj, including himself, suffered from false cases filed under the influence of former MP Golam Dastgir Gazi.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon declared that the next national election will take place in February and cannot be derailed by conspiracies.
He said, “The people have already rejected the Awami League for committing genocide and crimes against humanity. They have no future in Bangladesh’s politics. If the people entrust BNP with governing, we are ready to take that responsibility.”

Khokon also criticized elections held between 2008 and 2024 as flawed and urged citizens to vote to ensure democratic governance.

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud confirmed that the much-anticipated taskforce report will not be submitted today.
Speaking at a luncheon with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) officials and taskforce members on Wednesday, he said:
“The taskforce will submit their report directly to me, but not today. I am here mainly to share lunch with everyone, not for any official discussion. I haven’t yet seen what is in the report.”

Taskforce member Zillur Rahman noted, “It’s not the right time for detailed questions. Once we officially submit the report, everything will be disclosed. We’ll hand it over once the adviser sets a convenient date.”

Earlier, the government had said the taskforce was working on implementing the recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission, including establishing an independent statistics commission to counter past data manipulation.
According to officials, the report is expected to be formally submitted on September 10.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu accused India of playing a supporting role in what he termed as “the killing and looting of democracy in Bangladesh.”
Speaking at a rally protesting the recent attack on political leaders, including Nur, Dudu alleged:
“There is a deep conspiracy to keep Bangladesh outside democracy, to turn it into a marketplace of looting, and to prevent free elections. Multiple plots are underway to stop Tarique Rahman from becoming Prime Minister.”

Calling the attack on Nur “tragic and terrifying,” he demanded immediate arrests, warning that law and order cannot exist if attackers roam free.
Dudu further said, “For 16 years, the Awami League has oppressed the people, supported by the Jatiya Party, while its allies in the 14-party alliance now hide in silence. India, in the guise of a friend, has actually encouraged this destruction of democracy. With India sheltering the killers, real friendship between our nations is impossible.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan accused the Awami League of repeatedly staging fraudulent elections to cling to power.
He said, “Their infamous slogan was ‘I will cast my vote, but it will be stolen at night.’ BNP firmly believes in democracy. Our founder, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, established democracy in Bangladesh. But the authoritarian Awami League has destroyed it.”

Referring to the fall of what he called “Awami misrule” on August 5 last year following student-led protests, Moin said people are now dreaming of restoring lost democracy.
He stressed that the upcoming February election must be free and fair, so that a people’s government can be established and democracy restored.

At a protest rally in Dhaka, Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders warned Chhatra Dal against adopting violent slogans and actions.

“Chhatra League was expelled from campuses for chanting ‘slaughter Shibir’ slogans. If Chhatra Dal follows the same path, the student community will drive them out of Bangladesh as well,” said Shibir leader Sibgatullah Sibga.

He accused Chhatra Dal of bullying female Shibir candidates online and promoting slogans encouraging violence. “If anyone is killed in the coming days, we will hold Chhatra Dal responsible,” he said.

Shibir further accused rival student groups of attempting to influence the judiciary through protests staged near court premises, vowing that Dhaka University would remain the model for a “new Bangladesh.”

From a blockade program at Paltan, Gonodhikar Parishad leader Md. Rashed Khan alleged that both Awami League and Jatiya Party operate as Indian-backed parties.

He demanded accountability for the recent attack on Nurul Haq Nur and other activists, calling it “not just an attack on one leader but on the entire mass uprising.”

“Just as Awami League has been banned as a fascist force, Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance must also face prohibition,” he declared.

Rashed announced a solidarity rally under the banner of “Anti-Fascist Unity” to be held on September 5 at Shahbagh. He warned that divisions among opposition forces would only pave the way for Awami League’s return.

Gonodhikar Parishad President Nurul Haq Nur is now out of danger and showing rapid improvement, according to Dhaka Medical College Hospital director Brig. Gen. Md Asaduzzaman.

He said Nur’s treatment could be fully managed in Bangladesh, though his family may decide on overseas care for follow-up. He also urged Nur’s supporters not to overcrowd the hospital cabin.

Nur was among at least 50 people injured in clashes on August 29 between Gonodhikar Parishad activists and Jatiya Party supporters, followed by a joint security force crackdown.

BNP has launched a new business initiative to support seven families of enforced disappearance victims, inaugurating an online shop and showroom named Fashion Park in Dhaka’s Bangshal area.

The project, opened on the anniversary of Tarique Rahman’s release from prison, aims to help the families achieve financial independence.

BNP leaders Hummam Quader Chowdhury and Ishaq Sarkar inaugurated the venture. “These disappeared activists were the real heroes of Bangladesh. Justice will come for them, Inshallah,” Hummam said.

Ishaq Sarkar added that the initiative followed Tarique Rahman’s directive to provide livelihood opportunities to the families. He vowed that a BNP government would bring those responsible for disappearances—including Sheikh Hasina—to justice.