NCP leader Samantha Sharmin has alleged that Bangladesh’s courts are routinely used in political conspiracies, undermining their independence.

Speaking at a political discussion, she claimed that successive chief justices have operated under external influence. Referring to lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua’s role, she drew connections between past political movements and student politics, especially DUCSU elections.

“DUCSU is the cradle of leadership in Bangladesh. Its elections shape national politics,” she said, stressing that no ruling party panel has ever secured victory in DUCSU. She urged all parties to ensure DUCSU elections are held fairly, warning that boycotting or undermining them could endanger political futures.

She further alleged that attempts to block DUCSU polls mirror past conspiracies against the Awami League, often involving those claiming to be “progressives.”

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Matiur Rahman, a key ringleader in the leak of questions from the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Thana Assistant Education Officer recruitment exam.

Additional DIG Md. Zahidul Islam confirmed the arrest, stating that Rahman collected large sums via mobile banking and supplied questions disguised as “suggestions” on social media, tarnishing the reputation of the constitutional body. Buyers received leaked questions through private inbox messages and courier services.

Investigators tracked down Rahman by identifying the admin of a suspicious Facebook page and tracing his number through digital forensics, ultimately arresting him in Jamalpur. PSC Assistant Director Sukor Anjan Samajdar has filed a case against him at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Dhaka University authorities clarified that no candidate was disqualified from the DUCSU elections merely for being linked to the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

University lawyer Shishir Monir explained, “It is a misconception. Caesar’s candidacy was cancelled based on specific allegations, not political affiliation.”

The Appellate Division has also ruled that Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidate SM Farhad may contest the polls, confirming that DUCSU elections will be held on September 9 as scheduled.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has stayed a High Court order that had suspended the DUCSU and hall union elections until October 30.

As a result, voting will proceed as scheduled on September 9, according to the official election timetable. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed.

Diploma engineering students in Rangpur staged a “Long March to NESCO” demanding withdrawal of what they termed “false cases” and the fulfillment of seven-point demands.

Students from 10 polytechnic institutes blocked the Rangpur–Dhaka highway and attempted to march towards NESCO’s regional office. Security forces intervened, prompting the protesters to stage a sit-in blockade on the road.

Their demands include the arrest of those accused of creating disorder in the power sector, withdrawal of conspiratorial cases against diploma engineers, and implementation of their seven-point charter within a week. Protest leaders submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer of Rangpur.

Dhaka University has expelled student Ali Hossain for six months after he allegedly threatened to rape a female student who filed a petition concerning the DUCSU elections.

The university confirmed that the decision followed recommendations from the Proctorial Investigation Committee. Officials described the penalty as the “maximum punishment under the Proctor’s jurisdiction” in line with university regulations.

Ali Hossain, a student of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, has been further referred to the university’s Sexual Harassment Committee for investigation.

Protests erupted on the Dhaka–Aricha highway after Jahangirnagar University students seized 25 buses in response to a fellow student being pushed off a moving bus.

The victim, Halima Khatun of the Public Administration Department (Batch 50), was thrown off a Capital Transport bus around 5:40 p.m. She sustained severe injuries, including a sprained leg, and was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

University Proctor Prof. AKM Rashidul Alam condemned the incident as “inhumane,” adding that a meeting with bus owners has been scheduled for Wednesday to decide further action.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has congratulated architect Marina Tabassum for winning the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the second time.

Her project, Khudi Bari—a climate-resilient, portable, and affordable housing solution for families displaced by river erosion—was hailed as a humanitarian and visionary contribution.

Yunus described it as a historic achievement for Bangladesh, proving that architecture is not limited to aesthetics but embodies dignity, resilience, and human creativity.

He recalled Tabassum’s first Aga Khan Award in 2016 for designing the Baitur Rauf Mosque in Dhaka, saying, “Once again, Bangladesh has been placed on the global stage of creativity and social innovation.”

Tabassum currently serves as Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Bangladesh National Museum and Chief Adviser of the July Uprising Memorial Museum.

Vice President candidate Abdul Kader has alleged that Ali Hossain, who threatened to gang-rape a female petitioner, is linked to Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Kader said, “We cannot understand how he is still a student after making such a statement. We demand the highest punishment.”

He claimed evidence of Hossain’s Shibir ties was found on his social media, though some deny the affiliation.

Meanwhile, GS candidate SM Farhad rejected what he called “false propaganda” and said they had already filed a written complaint with the proctor’s office seeking action.

AGS candidate Ashrefa Khatun condemned the increasing harassment of women on social media since August 5, urging, “Resist women politically, not sexually.”

A Gaibandha court has ordered a case against lawyer Shefaul Islam Ripon for allegedly assisting hacker gang leader Palash Rana (25) in obtaining bail by falsifying documents to show him as a minor.

Court staff Salahuddin filed the complaint with Gaibandha Sadar Police. Officer-in-Charge Shahinul Islam Talukdar confirmed the written complaint had been received, pending some revisions before formal registration.

Ripon has denied the allegations, saying he will fight the case in court if filed.

On July 15, Rana and three others were arrested in a joint army-police operation for hacking into government allowances and embezzling millions.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that the national election scheduled for February 26 will be held in a festive atmosphere. However, he warned that groups opposed to the interim government will attempt to obstruct the process.

“Some signs of this are already visible. We must remain vigilant,” Yunus told reporters, according to his press secretary.

He pledged a better voting experience for all citizens—especially those who were previously deprived of their rights or faced intimidation. He also stressed the need to safeguard the election from foreign interference.

Yunus added that ensuring a peaceful environment during Durga Puja celebrations was a collective responsibility, warning that some groups may attempt to incite unrest.

Earlier, he held meetings with seven political parties and Hefazat-e-Islam.

Malaysian authorities have detained 770 undocumented migrants—including 377 Bangladeshis—in a special immigration raid in Kuala Lumpur.

Immigration Department official Basri Othman said the raid, code-named “Ops Belanja,” was carried out following local complaints. Migrants were detained for overstaying visas, lacking valid documents, and misusing permits.

The operation, launched Tuesday evening with 106 enforcement officers, checked 2,445 people, including 1,600 foreigners. Some migrants attempted to hide in shops or escape to rooftops but were eventually caught as the area was cordoned off.

The detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for screening before being moved to detention centers. Legal proceedings under immigration laws are ongoing.

The Bangladesh High Court has ordered the Election Commission to grant political registration to Bangladesh Nezame Islami Party (BNIP).

The verdict came Tuesday in response to Writ Petition No. 4146/2025 filed by BNIP Secretary General Maulana Muhammad Musa Bin Ezahar, after the EC earlier refused to register the party despite scrutiny.

With this ruling, Bangladesh now has one more registered political party.

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has demanded immediate justice for the attack on Nurul Haq Nur, calling it a targeted attempt to kill him. Posting a photo from Nur’s hospital cabin, Ishraque wrote, “Nur’s condition is critical. The video footage clearly shows the attack. The people of Bangladesh want to know—who has been held accountable so far?”

He urged authorities to send Nur abroad for advanced treatment immediately, stressing that no force—military or civilian—should be above the law.

“If this government fails to act and something happens to Nur, they will bear the consequences. Justice may not come today, but tomorrow the perpetrators will face exemplary punishment,” he warned.

The Election Commission (EC) has forwarded amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, including provisions for a “No” vote in uncontested constituencies, to the Law Ministry for vetting.

EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed said the ministry will review the changes before they are published as a gazette.

Key proposals include:

EC’s authority prevailing over government in case of disagreements

Senior officials, including police, placed under EC control 45 days before polls

Secret reports and disciplinary actions against officials violating EC directives

Runoff voting instead of lottery in case of a tie

Increasing candidate deposits to Tk 50,000

Allowing journalists during vote counting

Election expense monitoring committees

Parties required to publish financial reports online

Court cases to be settled before symbol allocation

Legal action for false affidavits even after polls

Penalties for filing false complaints