A young man in Bogura has filed a lawsuit against the district commissioner and six others, alleging that he was denied a lab assistant position at Namuja SSI Fazil (Degree) Madrasa after refusing to pay a Tk 10 lakh bribe. Shahadat Hossain, who topped both written and oral exams for the post, claimed the madrasa principal demanded the bribe during a meeting at a hotel. When he refused, the recruitment process was restarted to exclude him. After his complaint to the then DC Hosna Afroza was dismissed, he filed a case on October 9 at the Senior Assistant Judge Court. The court sought explanations from the accused but, after no response within seven days, imposed a stay order on the recruitment process. A hearing scheduled for November 20 was postponed. The district education officer confirmed multiple corruption allegations against the principal, and an investigation committee is being formed to look into the matter.

In Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi, 18 cooperative societies have disappeared after allegedly embezzling around Tk 95 crore from over 2,300 depositors. Over the past few years, hundreds of cooperatives were registered under the Department of Cooperatives, promising rural development and high returns on savings. Many villagers, lured by promises of doubling their money, deposited life savings, only to find the offices shuttered and officials missing. Victims have filed complaints with the local administration and police, who advised them to pursue fraud cases. Authorities confirmed that most of the affected depositors are from lower and lower-middle-income groups. Investigations reveal that 303 cooperatives were registered in the area between 2018 and 2020, many of which illegally collected deposits. The cooperative department has since canceled 68 registrations and blacklisted 99 others. Officials are now probing how so many societies were approved and are urging residents to avoid unregulated cooperatives.

A woman in Nalchira cluster village of Gournadi upazila, Barishal, has filed a written complaint alleging that she was assaulted by a local man after rejecting his immoral proposal. The accused, identified as Jewel Sardar, son of Ratan Ali Sardar and a member of the managing committee of Nalchira Secondary School, allegedly attacked the woman with his associates on Thursday morning. According to the victim, Jewel had been making indecent proposals since her husband left for Qatar two months ago. She also claimed that Jewel took 5,000 taka from her and demanded an additional 20,000 taka in extortion. The accused denied the allegations, saying they were intended to socially defame him. Gournadi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Tarikul Islam stated that an investigation is underway and legal action will be taken if the allegations are proven true.

In Cumilla, two separate groups of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held peaceful rallies on Thursday evening despite earlier speculation about possible clashes. The events took place in adjacent locations at Kandirpar, where BNP Chairperson’s advisers Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin and Monirul Haque Chowdhury organized separate programs. Yasin’s supporters arranged a prayer gathering for Khaleda Zia’s recovery and Tarique Rahman’s well-being, while Chowdhury, the party’s nominated candidate for Cumilla-6, held an election rally. Authorities had earlier prohibited both groups from using the Town Hall ground due to security concerns and directed them to alternative venues. Additional police, army, RAB, and intelligence personnel were deployed to prevent unrest. The rallies concluded without any untoward incidents, reflecting effective coordination between the administration and law enforcement agencies.

After nearly six years of closure, gas has been rediscovered in Well No. 1 of the Kailashtila gas field in Sylhet, Bangladesh. According to Sylhet Gas Fields Limited Managing Director Abdul Jalil Pramanik, the well contains an estimated reserve of around 20 billion cubic feet of gas. Daily production is expected to reach 5 to 6 million cubic feet, potentially sustaining output for the next decade. The well, originally drilled in 1961 and last active in 2019, was reopened under a government project to overhaul old wells, with Bapex initiating work in August 2023. Following three months of operations and testing, officials confirmed the find on Thursday evening. The gas will be added to the national grid within two to three days, saving an estimated 33 billion taka in foreign currency by reducing LNG imports. This rediscovery is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s domestic energy supply and reduce dependence on imported gas.

At least 15 people were injured in a violent clash between two groups in Roumari upazila of Kurigram district on Thursday, reportedly over a longstanding land dispute. The incident occurred at midday in Madhya Ichakuri village under Roumari Sadar Union. Among the injured, four — Abul Hashem, Abdus Sabur, Ashura Khatun, and Majnu Mia — were critically hurt and transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. According to police and local sources, the conflict stems from a 40-year-old dispute over approximately 3.84 acres of land between Israfil Haque and Raja Mia, both residents of the same village. The altercation began when Israfil’s group attempted to plough the disputed land, prompting Raja Mia’s supporters to intervene, leading to a prolonged confrontation. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Authorities said no formal complaint has yet been filed, but an investigation will follow if one is received.

Sujon, a rickshaw driver who gained public attention during the July uprising for saluting protesting students, has purchased a nomination form from the National Citizen Party (NCP) to contest the upcoming national parliamentary election from Dhaka-8 constituency. He collected the form on Thursday evening, accompanied by senior NCP leaders. Sujon expressed optimism about winning the election, citing his popularity and connection with ordinary people. He emphasized that his candidacy demonstrates equal political rights for all citizens, thanking the NCP for allowing him the opportunity. In the same constituency, BNP has nominated its standing committee member Mirza Abbas, Jamaat-e-Islami nominated Advocate Helal Uddin, and Sharif Osman Hadi from Inquilab Manch announced his independent candidacy. The contest in Dhaka-8 is expected to draw attention due to Sujon’s unique background and symbolic representation of grassroots participation in politics.

Bangladesh’s caretaker government has given final approval to establish a separate secretariat for the judiciary, a long-awaited step toward full judicial independence. The new body, to be known as the Supreme Court Secretariat, will operate under the High Court. Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced the decision at a press conference following an advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The ‘Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025’ is expected to be gazetted next week. This move fulfills a decades-long demand stemming from the landmark Masdar Hossain case, filed in 1995 by members of the BCS Judicial Association seeking separation of the judiciary from the executive. The Supreme Court’s 1999 verdict mandated the establishment of an independent judiciary, but full implementation had been pending for 26 years. Officials described the approval as the final step in ensuring judicial autonomy in Bangladesh.

Senior lawyer Shishir Monir, representing Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent appeal, stated that under the current caretaker government formation, the most recently retired Chief Justice would serve as the head of the interim administration. However, he noted that this provision is not presently in effect. Following the Supreme Court’s historic verdict delivered by a seven-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, Monir explained that the caretaker government system has been automatically reinstated in the constitution. He added that the upcoming 13th national election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will take effect from the 14th parliamentary election onward. Monir also mentioned that the final structure of the caretaker government could change depending on the outcome of the July Charter referendum and subsequent constitutional reform sessions in the new parliament.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper *Amar Desh*, has called on Bangladesh’s post-election government to act in accordance with the aspirations of the July Revolution. Speaking at a seminar titled “Successes and Failures of Revolutions and Uprisings: From November 7 to August 5” at Rajshahi University, he emphasized that the revolution is ongoing and will continue until its goals are fully realized. Rahman stressed the importance of holding the 13th national parliamentary election on time, warning that any delay could create instability that external forces, particularly Delhi, might exploit. Expressing doubts about the possibility of a free and fair election, he blamed administrative and bureaucratic complications and the influence of ruling party allies. He also criticized the government for failing to conduct a cleansing campaign and for not embracing the revolutionary spirit. Rahman urged the July revolutionaries to remain united, asserting that their unity is essential to keeping Bangladesh on the right path.

At Jagannath University, the student wings of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad have formed a joint panel named 'Oikyoboddho Nirvik Jobian' for the upcoming central student union (JnUCSU) election. The panel nominated AKM Rakib, president of the university’s Chhatra Adhikar unit, as vice president candidate. Central general secretary Nazmul Hasan of Chhatra Adhikar said Rakib’s inclusion aims to keep Chhatra Dal relevant on campus and ensure broader student benefit. Rakib emphasized that the alliance is electoral, not political, and pledged to work for student rights without external influence. He also criticized the administration for irregular teacher recruitment and delays in scholarship processes. Meanwhile, Jagannath University Chhatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himel clarified that the coalition is inclusive and not based on political ideology, adding that Nazmul Hasan’s remarks reflect his personal opinion. The election alliance highlights both cooperation and underlying tension between the two student organizations.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ordered a halt to all activities related to the contract for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port until the ongoing case is resolved. The directive was issued verbally by a bench led by Justice Fatema Najib, with the state counsel assuring compliance with the order. The case stems from a writ petition filed by Mirza Walid Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Young Economists Forum, challenging the legality of handing over the management of the NCT to a foreign company. Earlier, on July 30, the High Court had issued a rule questioning the validity of the agreement between the Chattogram Port Authority and the foreign firm. The court’s latest instruction effectively freezes all contractual and operational activities tied to the terminal pending judicial review.

A 20-year-old student of East West University, identified as B.M. Mushfiquzzaman, was found dead near the university’s main campus in Aftabnagar, Badda, Dhaka, on Thursday evening. Security personnel discovered him unconscious beside the Farauddin Building and rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Mushfiquzzaman, a first-year student of Mathematics, Medical, and Physics, was originally from Panchgaon village in Tongibari, Munshiganj, and lived with his family in Khilgaon. His father is associated with the management of the national women’s kabaddi team. Police confirmed the recovery of the body and said it has been sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. The cause of death remains unknown pending the post-mortem report, and authorities have informed the local police station for further investigation.

The United States has cleared a $93 million arms package for India, signalling a renewed push in defence cooperation despite earlier friction highlighted in “Exclusive: India pauses plans to buy US arms after Trump's tariffs.” The State Department approved the sale of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems worth $45.7 million and 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles valued at $47.1 million. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, India requested 100 Javelin missiles, a fly-to-buy missile, 25 command launch units, and the Excalibur rounds, which India already uses with its M-777 howitzers. DSCA stated the sale will strengthen the India-US strategic relationship, enhance India’s ability to respond to current and emerging threats, and support stability across the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. Analysts note that the deal not only boosts India’s defence capabilities but also aligns with Washington’s regional strategic objectives. The approval follows the US decision to expand supply of GE fighter jet engines for India’s Tejas programme, further deepening military-industrial cooperation. The prime contractors will be RTX Corporation for Excalibur rounds and a Lockheed Martin joint venture for the Javelin system.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has warned that attempts to weaken police morale through acts of sabotage, including recent cocktail attacks, could endanger public safety. Speaking at the inauguration of the DMP’s new Cyber Support Center, he emphasized that if police morale collapses, citizens may have to protect their own homes. The commissioner highlighted that the newly launched center is designed to combat evolving cybercrimes such as online fraud, digital harassment, defamation, and gambling. Equipped with advanced laboratories, digital forensic experts, and a 24-hour response team, the center aims to provide faster and more effective services, particularly to protect women and youth from online abuse. Citizens can report cybercrime incidents through the center’s official Facebook page or email. Addressing questions about alleged shoot-to-kill orders against attackers, Sajjat clarified that he issued no new directives, only reminded officers of existing laws.