The now death-row convicts are Md Saiful Islam, former officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station AFM Sayed Roni, former assistant sub-inspector Bishwajit Saha, Jubo League activist Roni Bhuiyan, former sub-inspector Abdul Malek and former constable Mukul Chokder.  The tribunal sentenced former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Syed Nurul Islam, former Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Asaduzzaman Ripon, former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former inspectors Mohammad Masudur Rahman and Nirmol Kumar Das, and former Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Md Arafat Hossain to life imprisonment. 

Former sub-inspector Arafat Uddin and former assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan were sentenced to seven years in jail.  The court also ordered the confiscation of the properties of former lawmaker Saiful in favour of the state and distribute those among the families of the victims. The court also pardoned former sub-inspector Sheikh Abzalul Haque, who had pleaded guilty and became an approver.  Earlier, the tribunal began reading out the judgment at around 12:50 PM. Tribunal chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury started reading out the sentencing portion at 1.12 PM.  The second tribunal on February 1 set today for delivering the verdict. Earlier, on January 20, the tribunal kept the judgment on CAV (curia advisari vult, a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits verdict) after legal arguments concluded that day. 

On August 21, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against 16 accused in the case. Of them, eight are in custody. Seven pleaded not guilty and sought justice. Sheikh Abzalul Haque, however, pleaded guilty and later became an approver. The seven who pleaded not guilty are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder. 

The eight fugitive accused in the case are former Dhaka-19 lawmaker Md Saiful Islam, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Syed Nurul Islam, former Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Asaduzzaman Ripon, former officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station AFM Sayed Roni, former inspectors Mohammad Masudur Rahman and Nirmol Kumar Das, former assistant sub-inspector Bishwajit Saha, and Jubo League activist Roni Bhuiyan.  “A total of 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar. One person was killed on August 4 and six the following day. By killing the innocents, the accused committed one offence; by burning their bodies on August 5, they committed another,” the prosecution said earlier.

On July 16, the tribunal ordered publication of notices in two national dailies summoning the eight fugitive accused to surrender, warning that the trial would proceed in absentia if they failed to comply. The ICT investigation agency launched its probe on October 6, 2024, and submitted its report on June 19, 2025. Earlier, on July 2, ICT-2 took cognisance of the formal charges, accusing the defendants of shooting six youths on August 5, 2024—killing five instantly—and burning their bodies along with another injured youth, allegedly to destroy evidence. Another youth was shot dead on August 4, 2024. 

The seven victims in the case are Sazzad Hossain Sazal, As Sabur, Tanjil Mahmud Sujoy, Bayejid Bostami, Abul Hossain, Omar Faruk, and Mohammad Shahabul Islam. According to the prosecution, police placed the victims’ bodies in a van and set it ablaze to make it appear that protesters had torched it. One victim was reportedly alive when the fire was set. 

Other accused of the case are – Awami League  Joint General Secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, President of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Wali Asif Inan.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the matter to the media, but refrained from disclosing further details. The case is likely to be referred to ICT-2 later. All the accused are currently at large.

According to the allegations, Didarul Islam Khan has been illegally importing mobile phones from abroad for a long time, engaging in smuggling, and evading customs duties to earn substantial profits. His Dazzle Mobile shop is reportedly involved in bringing high-end flagship smartphones into the country using the “luggage party” facility by sending dollars abroad. The income from selling these phones in the domestic market is allegedly being transferred overseas through hundi or other illicit channels.

A source involved in the investigation stated that the company imports mobile handsets illegally and markets them as “unofficial handsets.” They reportedly increase sales by having popular YouTubers review the phones while failing to maintain proper pricing, resulting in significant amounts of money being sent abroad through illegal means. This practice is not only causing revenue losses for the government but also putting pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves.

Experts have suggested that customs and duty authorities need to strengthen monitoring to prevent such abuses of the luggage party system. They warned that if such irregularities continue, government revenue from the technology sector could decline, and the market for legitimate importers could be adversely affected.

Judge Md. Nurul Islam of the First Joint District Judge’s Court passed the order on Thursday (July 30). Among those reinstated are Senior Co-Chairmen Anisul Islam Mahmud and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and several Presidium Members from across the country.

Advocate ASM Shahriar Kabir also took part in the hearing on another plea filed in this connection. On August 27, 2025, the Appellate Division granted leave to hear the appeal against its 2011 judgment that had declared the 13th amendment to the constitution -- introducing the caretaker government system -- illegal, and fixed today for hearing. The apex court passed the order after hearing several review petitions seeking restoration of the 13th amendment and reinstatement of the caretaker government provision. A total of four pleas were filed in this regard -- one by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, another by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, one by five noted citizens including Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, and another by an individual petitioner. All the pleas are being heard together.

Earlier, on December 17, 2024, the High Court had declared the scrapping of the caretaker government system from the constitution as illegal. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, after pronouncement of the judgment, told journalists that the High Court has declared the scrapping of caretaker government provision in the constitution as illegal and from now on the caretaker system is part of the constitution.

The report was also carried by several online news portals and widely shared and discussed on social media platforms. Considering the matter of public importance, the court took cognizance of the report under Section 190(1) (c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and accepted it for judicial consideration, the court said in its order. The court directed the Deputy Commissioner of the Cyber and Special Crime Division of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to appoint a competent and skilled investigation officer to identify the online pornography-related groups, their administrators, and fraudulent networks involved in financial transactions, and to take appropriate legal action against them based on the information mentioned in the report. The court also instructed that regular cases be filed in light of the findings revealed during the investigation and ordered the investigating officer to submit a progress report every 15 days.

The writ petition was filed in 2021 on behalf of three death-row convicts who were kept in condemned cells in Chattogram, Sylhet, and Cumilla jails. The High Court subsequently directed the authorities concerned to submit a written report on the facilities provided to 1,987 death-row convicts in various jails across the country and issued a rule on April 5, 2022. Later, the High Court made the rule absolute in its final judgment. Quoting the High Court verdict, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir earlier said that convicts cannot be termed as death-row prisoners and kept in condemned cells until their sentences are finalised.

"A death-row convict can only be kept in solitary confinement when all their appeals, including mercy petitions, are disposed of and all official formalities are completed," he added. The state later filed a petition seeking a stay on the High Court judgment. The Chamber Judge Court of the Appellate Division subsequently stayed the verdict, and the matter has now come before the regular bench of the apex court for hearing.

Judge of the Special Court-5 of Dhaka Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun recoded the depositions in connection with the three cases filed under the anti corruption act, said Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Mir Ahmmed Ali Salam.

The court also fixed next date of the case on September 30 for recording depositions of other witnesses, the ACC PP added. Three prosecution witnesses gave depositions in the case filed against 12 persons including Sheikh Hasina. Four prosecution witnesses gave their statements in the case against 17 people including Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajib Wazed Joy.

Three prosecution witnesses gave depositions against 18 persons including Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul. The prosecution witnesses who submitted their statements are- Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hussain, senior officer of the Sonali Bank, Ganobhaban branch Riyad Mahmud, personal officer of the Chief Adviser’s office Mohammad Osman Gani and accounts assistant of Dhaka South City Corporation Nayem Hossain Khan.

ACC Deputy Director Salah Uddin filed the case against eight people including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 14 on charge of taking a plot of 10 katha land in Purbachal new town project by misusing power. 

ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya after investigation submitted charge sheet of the case against 12 persons including Sheikh Hasina on March 10 last.

ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hassan on January 14 filed a case against 15 people including Sheikh Hasina for allocating a 10-katha plot for her son Sajib Wazed Joy by misusing power. He submitted the charge sheet of the case against 17 people on March 10 after investigation.

ACC Assistant Director Afnan Janna Keya on January 12 filed a case against 16 people including Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul for allocating a 10-katha plot for her daughter in Purbachal project by misusing power. After investigation she submitted charge sheet against 18 people including Sheikh Hasina and Putul on March 10. 

The officials who were implicated in the cases are former state minister for housing and public works ministry Sharif Ahmed, former secretaries of the public works ministry Kazi Wasi Uddin and Shahid Ullah Khandkar, former Rajdhani Unnayan Katripokkhha (RAJUK) Anisur Rahman Miah, senior assistant secretary of the housing and public works ministry Purabi Golder, former members of Rajuk Shafi ul-Haque, Khurshid Alam, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Major Samsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (retd), Tanmoy Das and Nurul Islam, deputy director of Rajuk Nayeb Ali Sharif, administrative officer of the public works ministry Saiful Islam Sarkar, RAJUK assistant director Majaharul Islam, director Kamrul Islam, former private secretary of the former prime minister Mohammad Salah Uddin, RAJUK director Sheikh Shahinul Islam and deputy directors Hafizur Rahman and Habibur Rahman. 

The same court on July 31 framed charges against the accused in connection with the cases filed against them.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Additional Attorney Generals Abdul Jabbar Bhuyan and Barrister Aneek Rushd Haque, and Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Masud argued for the state, while senior advocate SM Shahjahan and advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir appeared for the defence. The apex court on August 21, 2025, set today for pronouncing judgment in the murder and explosives substances cases filed over the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on August 21, 2004.

"Hearing is concluded and judgment on September 4, 2025," the short order said on that day. Earlier, on June 1, 2025, the Appellate Division granted leave to appeal against the High Court verdict that acquitted all the convicts in the two cases. The High Court on December 1, 2024, scrapped the lower court judgment in the two cases, delivering its verdict after hearing the death references, criminal and jail appeals. "Death Reference is rejected, all appeals are allowed, all rules are made absolute," said the short judgment pronounced by the High Court bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain. 

Defence counsel Advocate Shishir Manir later told newsmen that the High Court observed the lower court trial was illegal as it was not held in accordance with the law. He said no eyewitnesses were examined in the cases, and the verdict was based on the forced confessional statement of Mufti Abdul Hannan, according to him, which carried no evidential value. At least 24 people were killed and many others were injured in the grenade attack on August 21, 2004. 

On October 10, 2018, a Dhaka court sentenced 19 people to death, including former state minister for home Lutfuzzaman Babar, and awarded life imprisonment to another 19, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in the murder case filed over the incident. Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal also sentenced 11 others to different terms of jail. The death penalty convicts later acquitted were: Lutfuzzaman Babar, Abdus Salam Pintu, Mawlana Tajuddin, Major General (Retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, Brigadier General Abdur Rahim, Md Hanif, Mawlana Sheikh Abdus Salam, Abdul Mazed Bhat, Abdul Malek, Shawkat Osman, Mohibullah, Abu Sayeed, Abul Kalam Azad, Jahangir Alam, Hafez Abu Taher, Hossain Ahammed Tamim, Moin Uddin Sheikh, Rafikul Islam and Md Uzzal.

Besides Tarique Rahman, the political figures acquitted of life sentences included former premier Khaleda Zia's political adviser Haris Chowdhury and ex-BNP lawmaker Qazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. Others acquitted from life sentences were: Shahadat Ullah alias Jewel, Abdur Rouf, Sabbir Ahmed, Arif Hasan, Hafez Yahia, Abu Bokor, Ariful Islam, Mohibul Muttakin, Anisul Mursalin, Mohammad Khalil, Jahangir Alam Badar, Mohammad Iqbal, Liton, Shafikur Rahman, Abdul Hai and Ratul Ahmed Babu. Two separate cases-one for murder and another under the Explosives Substances Act-were filed on August 22, 2004, over the attack. The police filed the charge sheet on June 9, 2008, and the court framed the charges on September 29, 2008.

The HC on August 13, 2025, had fixed today for pronouncing the judgment after concluding the hearing of the case. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir appeared for the writ petitioners, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the state. Senior lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan made submissions as amicus curiae (friend of the court), and lawyer Ahsanul Karim argued as intervener. On August 25 last year, seven Supreme Court lawyers filed a writ petition challenging the validity of Article 116 of the Constitution and the Judicial Service (Discipline) Rules, 2017, and seeking a directive for establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary. 

The petitioners were Mohammad Saddam Hossain, Md Zahirul Islam, Mostafizur Rahman, Abdullah Sadik, Md Mizanul Haque, Aminul Islam Shakil and Zayed Bin Amjad. After the preliminary hearing, a High Court bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub (currently a Judge of the Appellate Division) and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury issued a rule on October 27 last year. The court asked why Article 116 of the Constitution and the 2017 Judicial Service (Discipline) Rules should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution. It also asked why a separate judicial secretariat should not be established. 

The court directed two secretaries of the Law Ministry and the Registrar General of the Supreme Court to reply to the rule. The Registrar General was also asked to submit a progress report within 60 days regarding the establishment of a judicial secretariat. Justice Farah Mahbub was elevated to the Appellate Division on March 25 this year. Later, the Chief Justice assigned the case for hearing and disposal to a HC bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury. After several days of hearing from both sides, the bench had fixed today for delivering the verdict. 

A nationwide consultation process has been launched to reform the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the aim of transforming it into a more independent, credible, and effective institution that safeguards the rights of all citizens and restores public trust. The initiative is being led by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division (LPAD), Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Embassy of Switzerland. 

The reform process focuses on amending the NHRC Act, 2009 to address existing legal and operational gaps and to align the Commission with internationally recognised standards, particularly the Paris Principles, a UNDP press release said. The NHRC, while established to promote and protect human rights, has faced challenges in fully carrying out its mandate. Limited powers and concerns over independence have affected its effectiveness, and the reform process aims to strengthen its role and capacity. As part of this initiative, multi-stakeholder consultations will be held in all eight divisions, culminating in a National Consultation in Dhaka. The consultations will bring together government officials, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, academics, media, and survivors of rights violations to propose concrete solutions for reform.

The first consultation took place in Sylhet on  August 23, 2025, where participants shared insights and recommendations on legal and institutional reforms, enhanced accountability, and the protection of citizens from both state and non-state abuses. Presiding over the consultation, Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary of LPAD, stressed the importance of effective enforcement, “A good law is essential, but its effective enforcement is equally important. To make the NHRC Act more robust and responsive, we have initiated an amendment process through inclusive consultations — beginning here today in Sylhet.”

Anowarul Haq, Acting Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted the role of UNDP in supporting the reform, “Strengthening the NHRC is vital for the country’s democratic journey and its commitment to human rights. Through these consultations, we aim to ensure the Commission’s independence, credibility, and effectiveness, in line with global standards.” Dr SM Shafaet Hossen, Joint Secretary of LPAD, made the keynote presentation of the NHRC Act 2009, highlighting NHRC’s mandate, limitations, and challenges.  Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet, Sarwoer Alam, also spoke at the consultation.

Key areas under discussion include transparent appointment procedures for Commissioners, stronger investigative powers, operational independence, and improved collaboration with civil society and media. The recommendations generated from the divisional dialogues will feed into a roadmap for legislative reform to be finalised at the National Consultation in Dhaka. With this reform process underway, the government and its partners aim to reinforce the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, and demonstrate that human rights remain a cornerstone of inclusive governance and sustainable development.

"I had mentioned the matter so that the court holds hearing in the case soon. The apex court has set August 26 for hearing and the Attorney General has already been informed. All the parties will be informed so that they can take preparations for the hearing," Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir said. A total of four pleas were filed in this regard. One was filed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, one by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Miah Golam Parwar, one by five noted citizens including Secretary of rights organization Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, Badiul Alam Majumdarand another was filed by another person. All the pleas are scheduled to be heard concurrently.

The High Court on December 17, 2024, declared scrapping of the caretaker government system in the constitution as illegal. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, after pronouncement of the judgment, told the journalists that the High Court has declared the scraping of caretaker government provision in the constitution as illegal and from now on the caretaker system is part of the constitution.

However, on April 13, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities to explain within two weeks why the detention order should not be declared illegal. On April 17, the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Masum Miah showed Meghna arrested in the case filed with Dhanmondi Police Station over allegedly defrauding a foreign diplomat through romantic entrapment. She was later granted bail by Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah on April 28 and released from jail the following day.

The Home Adviser said he visited the mail barrack in the Old Dhaka as they are going to introduce a training programme there to hold the upcoming election in a fair manner. Replying to a query, he said, "We're preparing by December for the election. But, the election commission will announce the election date." Earlier on July 9 last, a scrap metal trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, 39, was hacked, beaten and stoned to death near a gate of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital. 

Following the petition, the HC on February 6 last year issued a rule asking as to why the removal of Sharif from the ACC job will not be declared illegal and why he will not be reinstated in the job with salary and all benefits. The respondents including the ACC have been asked to give answers against the rule. Senior lawyer Barrister Md Salahuddin Dolon and Advocate Mia Mohammad Ishtiak moved the apex court on behalf of Sharif while senior lawyer Advocate Asif Hasan for the ACC. Talking to journalists Barrister Salahuddin Dolon said the HC announced the removal of Sharif Uddin from ACC jobs illegal and ordered to reinstate him in the job by 30 days with seniority and all other benefits.

The investigation agency of the tribunal submitted its report on June 26. The case, filed as a crime against humanity during the anti-discrimination student movement in Rangpur, names 30 individuals as accused. Among them are former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, former police ASI Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and Imran Chowdhury, a leader of the banned student organization Chhatra League. The names of the remaining accused have not yet been disclosed. Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of the university’s English Department, was killed during the anti-discrimination student movement on July 16.

The release signed by Ministry of Religious Affairs Spokesperson Md Abu Bakar Siddique said hundreds of cases of Waqf administration have been pending in the High Court for many years. This has disrupted the order of the Waqf estate. Many lands of the Waqf administration have already been lost. If this bench, which is responsible for hearing cases related to Waqf, can resolve those within a reasonable time, the management of Waqf property will regain vitality and the Waqf administration will also gain momentum.

It had also sought help from the political parties for withdrawing the cases filed with the intent to harass the opposition political leaders and workers during the fascist regime. The ministry made the call in the backdrop of allegations from different political parties of dilly dallying by the government in withdrawing the political cases. Ministry sources said the committee is recommending withdrawal of the political cases after reviewing the lists and related documents sent by district-level committees and solicitor wing of the Law Ministry. It also pointed out that the political parties too may send list of political cases to the inter-ministerial committee to expedite the process. "In view of this, BNP had sent a list of around 16,000 cases by January 14, 2025, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sent a list of 1,200 cases by April 27, 2025," Dr Asif Nazrul said earlier.

He, however, confirmed that the inter-ministerial committee, acting on its own initiative, already recommended withdrawing around half of those cases. The law adviser also blamed two political parties for not sending relevant documents like first information reports (FIR) and charge-sheets (where applicable) with their case lists, saying it's the main reason for delaying the withdrawal of the cases. "Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, on the other hand, filed a list of 44 cases just on May 20, 2025. Speedy action is being taken after reviewing the documents of the cases," the adviser said in a post on his verified Facebook account recently. Meanwhile, the Law Ministry reiterated its call to the political parties for submitting the FIR and charge-sheets along with their list of the cases for their quick disposal.

The three-member ICT-1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder on June 16 ordered the authorities concerned to publish notices on two national dailies, one in Bangla and another in English, asking the two fugitives to give up before the court. Earlier, the ICT-1 on June 1 took the formal charge, filed by the prosecution in the case, into cognizance and had set June 16 for passing further order in this connection. In line with that order, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said on June 16 that of the three accused, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal are yet to be arrested and police learned from different sources that they are in India right now. The ICT chief prosecutor then pleaded for further instruction from the tribunal in this connection. The tribunal after that directed authorities concerned to publish notices in two widely circulated national dailies, asking the two fugitive accused to appear before it within seven days.

The court had also set June 24 for passing further order in this connection. The prosecution in the formal charge brought five charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The ICT's investigation agency filed its probe report in the crimes against humanity and mass killing case on May 12.

"He further reiterated a point he had made in earlier remarks - that the idea of forming a Truth and Reconciliation Commission may be considered only after justice is delivered for the mass killings committed during the July uprising, and only if leaders of the deposed party express public remorse," it added. The release signed by Law Ministry Spokesman Dr Md Rezaul Karim further said the adviser also noted that such a commission could serve as a means of establishing that those responsible for acts of mass killings are permanently disassociated and rejected by the nation.

The ICT chief prosecutor then pleaded for further direction from the tribunal in this connection. The three-member ICT-1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder after that asked authorities concerned to publish notices on two widely circulated national dailies, one Bengali and one English, asking the two fugitive accused to appear before it within seven days. The court also set June 24 for passing further order in this connection. The prosecution in the formal charge brought five charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The investigation agency of the ICT on May 12 filed its probe report in the crimes against humanity and mass killing case.

If the government legal aid program can be further expanded, made more efficient, and institutionally strengthened, the number of cases resolved through mediation could be increased to 100,000-200,000, he said, adding, achieving this could reduce the number of case filings by 40 percent. Asif Nazrul mentioned that from the beginning, they have set three targets for the reform process on behalf of the ministry. The first of these is to resolve cases quickly and in the shortest possible time at low cost. "To this end, we have made a very important change and that is the change in the Civil Procedure Code." Along with this, the ministry is taking the work of amending the Criminal Procedure Code forward quickly, and expecting to pass it as a law within the next month. He said, "Our second goal is to ensure justice, and to that end, we are considering digitalization."  He continued that they are also planning high-level training for judges and exploring ways to enhance their accountability. "We have collected asset declarations from all those working in the judiciary or legal sector, and we will work with that data in the future. Additionally, we are collaborating with lawyers to ensure justice," he said. The Adviser went on saying, "Our third goal is to free people from the curse of prolonged litigation. To achieve this, we are working to amend the relevant laws under the NLASO."

The draft of the "Legal Aid Act (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025" was presented by the NLASO in the meeting.  The proposed amendment suggests bringing negotiable and minor family, civil, criminal, and cheque-related cases under mandatory pre-litigation mediation. As a result, parties involved in such cases must first attempt mediation through the District Legal Aid Office before filing a case in court. In addition, the proposal highlights the need to enhance the capacity and manpower of District Legal Aid Offices, to include retired district judges and experienced lawyers in a special panel of mediators, and to amend the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 and the Legal Aid (Legal Advice and Alternative Dispute Resolution) Rules, 2015, along with other relevant regulations, to make mediation services more effective, efficient, and people-friendly. Officials concerned of the ministry, the director and other officials of the NLASO, the Legal Aid Officer of Dhaka District, the Presidents and General Secretaries of the Bar Associations of Dhaka, Chattogram, Narayanganj and Cumilla districts, representatives of UNDP Bangladesh, GIZ Bangladesh, ILO, Madaripur Legal Aid Association, BLAST, BRAC and Proshika took part in the meeting.

The participants in the meeting engaged in constructive discussion on various aspects of the proposed amendments and provided various suggestions. The Adviser asked them to send their recommendations and suggestions in writing to the ministry within the next three working days. 

The organization's report stated that a total of 12,07, 993 beneficiaries received legal aid at government expense. This legal service has been provided in the 64 district legal aid offices of the country, the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office in Dhaka and Chattogram Workers' Legal Aid Cell, and the Government Legal Aid National Helpline Call Center (toll free-'16430'). According to statistics, 28,965 people were benefited from the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, 962,385 people from the 64 District Legal Aid Offices, 29,274 people from the Workers' Legal Aid Cell (Dhaka and Chattogram) and 1,87,369 people from the National Helpline Call Center (16430). This service has been provided at government expense under the 'Legal Aid Act' with the aim of providing legal aid to financially indigent and incompetent people seeking justice in the country. The activities of the NLASO are carried out under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the report said.

The adviser, during the visit, inspected the entire police station, including the duty officer's desk, women and children's desk, and hajat khana, apart from exchanging Eid greetings with the on-duty police officials. The adviser later inspected a plot of land selected for building a police lines in the Demra area and instructed the officials concerned to develop the land immediately.

The report also stated that a total of 1,207,993 people received legal aid from 2009 to April 2025. Out of those, 1,27,093 persons are prisoners. The legal aid services are provided through the country's 64 District Legal Aid Offices, the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, the Workers' Legal Aid Cells in Dhaka and Chattogram and the National Helpline Call Center (toll-free) number 16430. According to statistics, 28,965 people benefited from the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, 962,385 people benefited from the 64 District Legal Aid Offices, 29,274 people from the Workers' Legal Aid Cell (Dhaka and Chattogram) and 187,369 people from the National Helpline Call Center (16430). This service has been provided at government expense under the 'Legal Aid Act' with the aim of providing legal aid to financially indigent and incompetent people seeking justice in the country.  The activities of the National Legal Aid Services Organization are carried out under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

This service has been provided at government expense under the 'Legal Aid Act' with the aim of providing legal aid to financially indigent and incompetent people seeking justice. The activities of the NLASO are carried out under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

"Disposed of with observation," said the judgment passed by the Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on October 20, while disposing of a plea to review the apex court judgment that had declared the 16th constitutional amendment illegal. "In other words, if a Judge, in the course of discharging his function, would incur the wrath or disfavour of the government, he/she could be removed from office by the stroke of a pen by the Members of the Parliament. Can such a situation be allowed or accepted in a democratic society? The answer, in my considered view, as has also been stated by my learned brothers in their respective judgments, is an emphatic 'No'," said the observation made by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury in the judgment.

The apex court in its judgment also said, a judge, while deciding a case, should refrain from entering into any controversial political issue which demoralises him, putting him under serious criticism. "A judge should, thus, remain abstinent in expressing his political view which may have an anarchic impact on the image of the judiciary and thereby affects the independence of the judiciary," it added. Lauding the order as a milestone for the real independence of the judiciary, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman had said the judiciary, through this order, reached a point to work independently. This verdict will surely make its place in history. "A historic responsibility has been assigned to the Supreme Judicial Council, adding, "I hope they will be able to work correctly, keeping their backbone straight. The review plea was filed much earlier on 94 grounds. We have examined all 94 grounds and concluded that there is not a single ground good enough to review the case. We told the court that we would not place the grounds before it," he had said after the pronouncement of the judgment.

Senior advocate Manjil Mushid moved the writ petition before the court, while Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal also took part in the hearing. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman stood for the state. A seven-member Appellate Division full bench on July 3, 2017, pronounced its judgment, upholding a High Court verdict that declared illegal the 16th amendment to the constitution, which had empowered parliament to remove judges for incapacity or misconduct. The state later filed the plea, seeking a review of the apex court judgment. A three-member High Court bench led by Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury had delivered the verdict by majority on May 5, 2016.

The court on May 29 had set today to pronounce judgment on the death reference of the convicts and their appeals in the case. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman took part in the hearing for the state. Major Sinha was shot dead by police at the Shamlapur check post in Teknaf on the night of July 31, 2020, as he was returning after shooting videos for his YouTube channel in the village of Marishbunia. Later, Sinha's sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed the case against nine policemen, including former OC of Teknaf police station Pradip Kumar Das and former In-charge of Baharchora Police Investigation Centre Inspector Liakat Ali, with the Cox's Bazar court on August 5, six days after the killing.

Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court on January 31, 2022, sentenced Pradip Kumar Das and Liakat Ali to death and six others sub-inspector Nanda Dulal Rakshit, Constable Rubel Sharma, ASI Sagar Deb, Nurul Amin, Nezam Uddin and Mohammad Ayaz Uddin to life imprisonment. The seven other accused, including Armed Police Battalion (APBn) sub-inspector Mohammad Shahjahan and constables Mohammad Rajib and Mohammad Abdullah were acquitted as the charges framed against them were not proved. The death references of the convicts later came to the High Court for approval. The convicts, too, filed appeals against their conviction, which were heard by the High Court.

The apex court, in its judgment, asked the Election Commission (EC) to dispose of pending issues of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, including its registration. Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir had taken part in the hearing for Jamaat, while Advocate Touhidul Islam argued for the Election Commission (EC).

"A legal battle which had been going on for more than a decade came to a successful end. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami today, through the judgment of the apex court, got back its registration. Today, the Appellate Division has cancelled the judgment of the High Court Division. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami got back its registration, and the matter of its symbol too was referred to the EC, as other issues,” said Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir.

“We hope that we will receive the short order by tomorrow, and we will approach the EC with that short order, and the EC, as per law, will give our registration along with the symbol very soon," he said. The Jamaat counsel further said the party's registration was revoked through a politically motivated PIL. "Through today's judgment, multiparty democracy and participatory parliament were ensured. We hope that after today's judgment, a lively parliament will be formed in Bangladesh through an appropriate election. We hope that all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, by exercising their rights to vote as they wish, will vote for the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami. We also hope that interesting and constructive debates will take place in the next parliament in Bangladesh, and eventually, these will give democracy a permanent shape here," he added.

Advocate Manir further said the apex court, in its direction to the EC, asked it to dispose of the Jamaat's registration matter and "any other issues, if there are any". The Appellate Division on May 14 had set June 1 for pronouncing judgment on the plea filed by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Earlier, the apex court on October 22, 2024, restored Jamaat-e-Islami's appeal against the High Court verdict, paving the way for the party to take part in the hearing on an appeal against the 2013 judgment that had declared its registration illegal as a political party.

The Appellate Division started its hearing on the plea on December 3, 2024. Jamaat's counsels in their arguments said the writ, which initiated the whole process to cancel Jamaat's registration, was politically motivated. The High Court on August 1, 2013, declared illegal Jamaat's registration as a political party. A three-member greater bench of the High Court comprising Justice M Moazzem Hossain, Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Kazi Reza-ul-Huq delivered the judgment on majority. The judgment had said the registration given to the Jamaat by the Election Commission was beyond lawful authority. The EC on December 7, 2018, issued the gazette, cancelling the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The party later appealed against the High Court judgment. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, however, "dismissed for default" the appeal as the main counsel for the party was absent during the hearing.

Additional Attorney Generals Mohammad Abdul Jabber Bhuiyan, Mohammad Arshadur Rouf and Aneek Rushd Haque argued for the state plea today. Senior Advocate SM Shahjahan and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir stood for the defence. The High Court on December 1, 2024, pronounced its verdict, scrapping the lower court judgment in the two cases. The court came up with the verdict after holding a hearing on the death references, criminal and jail appeals filed in the two cases.

"Death Reference is rejected, all appeals are allowed, all rules are absolute", said the identical short judgments pronounced by the High Court bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain. "The court observed that the lower court trial was illegal as it was not held in accordance with the law. No eyewitnesses were examined in the cases rather, all the witnesses, who were examined, heard about the incident," defence counsel Advocate Shishir Manir told newsmen on that day.

Advocate Manir further said the court also observed that the lower court concerned delivered the judgement based on a confessional statement of Mufti Abdul Hannan, but his confessional statement has no evidential value as it was taken by force. At least 24 people were killed and many others injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on August 21, 2004.

The DMP Commissioner said that sacrificial animals cannot be loaded and unloaded in a scattered way. “Strict legal action will be taken if traffic is disrupted on the road or if traders are forced to sell animals,” he said. Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Sarwar and Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam spoke on the occasion.  Representatives of various intelligence agencies, representatives of various specialized units of the police, Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka University's Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, Animal Resources Directorate, National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation, Fire Service and Civil Defense, DPDC, DESCO, Dhaka District Administration, various government and private service providers, Salt Traders Association, Bangladesh Tanners Association were present at the coordination meeting. At the beginning of the coordination meeting, DMP Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah, presented the overall security and traffic management plan on cattle markets through a power point presentation. 

He stated that the tribunal and its investigative wing have been "working tirelessly" to prepare for this phase of the trial. "Chhatra Dal leader Wasim was among the first casualties of the July Uprising. The long wait for justice for the families of Abu Sayeed, Mugdho and Wasim is now nearing its end," he wrote. Dr. Asif Nazrul noted that the trial, which involves allegations of extrajudicial killings and crimes against humanity, will be broadcast live on various media platforms, including BTV.

"Between July and August, numerous allegations were made against the then-Awami League government, its leadership, govt-loyal administration and certain members of law enforcement. These accusations include genocide and crimes against humanity, allegedly committed to suppress the student-public movement," the adviser stated. The adviser expressed confidence in the outcome of the proceedings, stating "Inshallah, Sheikh Hasina and others accused will be proven guilty through a fair and transparent trial."

Regarding the party’s electoral symbol ‘scale’, the Appellate Division observed that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. On August 1, 2013, the High Court declared Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration with the Election Commission illegal, following a writ petition. The Election Commission subsequently cancelled the party’s registration through a notification issued on December 7, 2018. Jamaat-e-Islami later appealed the High Court's decision.

However, in November 2023, a six-member bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan dismissed the appeal "for default" due to the absence of the party's chief counsel during the hearing. This effectively upheld the High Court’s earlier verdict. Jamaat-e-Islami then filed a plea on September 1, 2023, seeking to revive the dismissed appeal. On October 22, the Appellate Division accepted the plea, allowing the party to continue its legal battle for registration.

The apex court, in its judgment, asked the Election Commission (EC) to dispose of pending issues of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, including its registration. Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir had taken part in the hearing for Jamaat, while Advocate Touhidul Islam argued for the Election Commission (EC).

The Appellate Division on May 14 had set June 1 for pronouncing judgment on the plea filed by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Earlier, the apex court on October 22, 2024, restored Jamaat-e-Islami's appeal against the High Court verdict, paving the way for the party to take part in the hearing on an appeal against the 2013 judgment that had declared its registration illegal as a political party.

The Appellate Division started its hearing on the plea on December 3, 2024. Jamaat's counsels in their arguments said the writ, which initiated the whole process to cancel Jamaat's registration, was politically motivated. The High Court on August 1, 2013, declared illegal Jamaat's registration as a political party. A three-member greater bench of the High Court comprising Justice M Moazzem Hossain, Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Kazi Reza-ul-Huq delivered the judgment on majority. The judgment had said the registration given to the Jamaat by the Election Commission was beyond lawful authority.

The EC on December 7, 2018, issued the gazette, cancelling the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The party later appealed against the High Court judgment. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, however, "dismissed for default" the appeal as the main counsel for the party was absent during the hearing.

Senior advocates Nitai Roy Chowdhury and AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon moved a writ petition filed by the party in this regard. BLP filed an application with the EC on October 10, 2022 for registration. But, the EC on July 24, 2023 rejected their application. 

BLP chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran filed a writ with the High Court challenging the EC decision on September 12, 2023, said Mahbub Uddin Khokon. After the hearing the High Court issued a rule on November 5, 2023 and came up with today’s judgment declaring the rule absolute.

The Appellate Division full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order, saying it would hear the explanation of the Election Commission (EC) on the matter tomorrow.

Senior advocate Mohammad Hossain moved the plea before the court, while senior jurist Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman argued for Ishraque.

 Supreme Court lawyer Md Mamunur Rashid filed the writ with the concerned wing of the Appellate Division on May 26.

Earlier on May 21, the High Court summarily rejected a writ petition filed by Rashid that challenged the Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal's verdict declaring BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

“Rejected summarily with observation and direction,” said the order passed by the High Court division bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.

Earlier, on March 27, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as DSCC mayor. 

The Election Commission on April 27 issued the gazette notification, declaring the BNP leader as mayor.

In a media release issued on Tuesday, the Legal Wing of the Local Government Division said that, after the dismissal of a writ petition on 22 May by the High Court, the division had been preparing to facilitate the oath-taking ceremony of the mayor-elect.

On 25 May, Ishraque Hossain filed a new writ petition through his lawyer at the High Court, seeking to take oath as mayor.

Besides, on 26 May, another petition, a leave-to-appeal, was submitted to the Appellate Division on behalf of a citizen, challenging the High Court’s previous dismissal order dated 22 May.

With these new legal petitions, the issue has now become sub judice in the apex court, the media release added.

As such, it said, the Local Government Division has clarified that it is currently awaiting a decision from the court before proceeding with the swearing-in of Ishraq Hossain as DSCC mayor.

Nazrul shared his reaction in a Facebook post at 11:26 am on Tuesday, shortly after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court acquitted Azhar, who had previously been sentenced to death for crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

"The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, unanimously granted the review petition filed by Azharul against his previous conviction," he wrote.

"In today’s verdict, the court overturned both the International Crimes Tribunal’s judgment that sentenced him to death and the earlier verdict by the Appellate Division that had upheld that sentence," he added.

Nazrul further stated, "The credit for creating the opportunity for justice to prevail goes to the fearless leadership of the July mass movement. Now, it is the responsibility of all of us to protect this opportunity."

Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Muhammad Talebur Rahman, confirmed the arrests.

However, he did not reveal any further details, saying that a press briefing will be held at the DMP Media Centre at 4:45 pm today.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali will brief the media on the latest developments in the Shammo murder case.

Shammo, a student of the 2018-19 academic session at the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University, and Literary and Publication Secretary of Chhatra Dal's Sir AF Rahman Hall unit, was stabbed to death near Suhrawardy Udyan by a group of 10-12 unidentified individuals on May 13.

The victim's brother, Shariful Islam, filed a murder case with Shahbagh Police Station on May 14.

Five suspects had already been arrested earlier in connection with the case.

One of them, Ripon, confessed to his involvement in the murder before the court.

The other four detained suspects are Sohag, Hridoy Islam, Robin, and Sujon Sarker.

A High Court division bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman set the date after end of the hearing on the matter on Monday.

The court on May 14 granted bail to Dr Zubaida Rahman as she filed an appeal against her conviction and three-year jail sentence in the case.

It passed the order, allowing Dr Zubaida Rahman bail till the disposal of the appeal matter. The High Court gave the order after accepting Dr Zubaida Rahman's appeal petition for hearing.

The High Court also sought documents of the case from the lower court and stayed Dr Zubaida’s penalty. 

The ACC filed the case with the city's Kafrul police station against three persons, including Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman, for amassing illegal wealth and concealing information about the properties.

On August 2, 2023, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Asaduzzaman sentenced Tarique Rahman to nine years and Zubaida Rahman to three years in jail in the case.

The panel of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued the order on Monday.

The court noted that the matter was "premature" as the commission’s recommendations had not yet been implemented by the government. As such, the petition was dismissed.

The writ petition was filed on May 4 by Supreme Court lawyer Rowshan Ali. It sought a stay order to prevent the implementation of several recommendations proposed in the commission’s report.

The petition also requested that the court form an expert committee comprising constitutional scholars, Islamic jurists, and representatives from civil society to review and advise on any future reforms relating to religious or family law.

Highlighting the proposal in Chapter 11 of the commission’s report recommending equal inheritance rights for men and women, the petition contended that this contradicted the teachings of the Quran, specifically Surah An-Nisa.

The report also proposed banning polygamy. The writ petition argued that polygamy is permitted under Islamic Sharia, and therefore, the commission’s recommendation violated Article 41 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to religious practice.

“By blindly supporting slogans like ‘My body, my choice’, the report attempts to override Sharia-based ethical boundaries,” the petition said.

It objected to a proposal recognising sex work as a legal profession, claiming such a move contradicts Islamic values and violates Articles 2A and 26 of the Constitution.

The petitioner also criticised the language used in the report regarding gender identity and transgender issues, calling it “inconsistent with Sharia and in conflict with religious beliefs”.

“Several of the report’s recommendations directly conflict with Islamic Sharia, our Constitution, and the moral values of the devout Muslim population of the country. This writ petition is not directed at any individual or group. It is a legal step taken to safeguard religious values, constitutional balance, and social harmony.”

The interim government formed the Women’s Reform Commission in November 2024 and it began its work in December. Its original term was until Apr 30, but despite opposition from various groups, the commission’s tenure was extended to May 31.

On Apr 19, the commission submitted its report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The 318-page report included 433 recommendations.

Since the submission of the report, religious political parties have voiced strong opposition. The conservative Islamist group Hifazat-e Islam has demanded the commission’s dissolution, while Jamaat-e-Islami has rejected the report outright.

Hifazat’s objections centre primarily on the commission’s observations and proposals concerning Islamic inheritance and family law.

Jamaat described some of the recommendations as “immoral”, claiming they would lead to social instability. The youth-led National Citizen Party (NCP) also criticised the report, arguing that the recommendations failed to ensure inclusive representation of women from all sections of society.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury passed the order on Thursday.

Barristers AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Kaiser Kamal represented Ishraque Hossain, while senior lawyer Mohammad Hossain argued in support of the writ petition.

Following the court’s order, Ishraque’s lawyer, Mahbub Uddin Khokon, stated that there is now no legal bar to administering the oath of office to Ishraque.

Earlier, the initial hearing began at 1:00 pm on Tuesday (May 20) and continued until around 2:00 pm before being adjourned. It resumed at 4:10 pm and concluded at approximately 5:15 pm. Although a verdict was initially expected at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, it was deferred to Thursday.

The DSCC election was held on February 1, 2020, in which Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was elected mayor. The Election Commission (EC) published the official gazette of the results on February 2, and Taposh took office after being sworn in.

In that election, Taposh received over 400,000 votes, while his nearest rival, BNP candidate Ishraque Hossain, secured 236,000 votes. Alleging electoral irregularities and corruption, Ishraque filed a case on March 3, 2020, seeking to annul the results.

Following the fall of the Awami League government amid a mass uprising in August last year, all city corporation mayors were removed. Since then, Additional Secretary Shahjahan Mia has been serving as the administrator of DSCC.

On March 27 this year, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka’s First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal annulled the previous result and declared Ishraque Hossain as the elected mayor of DSCC, based on the 2020 election. The court also instructed that a gazette be issued within 10 days.

Subsequently, on April 27, the Election Commission issued the gazette officially declaring Ishraque Hossain as mayor.

However, on the same day, two individuals—Rafiqul Islam and Mamunur Rashid—served legal notices challenging both the tribunal verdict and the gazette. The notice urged the authorities not to proceed with the oath-taking ceremony for Ishraque.

Their lawyer argued that the verdict was delivered hastily and without following due process. “We expected the EC to challenge the verdict, but they did not. The law adviser reportedly said the notification was issued without seeking the Law Ministry’s opinion,” the lawyer stated. “The tribunal cannot issue an order without legal effect—particularly when the mayoral term has already ended and the post has been declared vacant through an ordinance.”

Following this, Mamunur Rashid filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the March 27 verdict and the April 27 gazette. The petition sought a rule asking why the verdict and gazette should not be declared illegal and why an injunction should not be issued against administering the oath to Ishraque Hossain. It also requested a stay on their implementation while the rule is under consideration.

The Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification regarding the removal on Wednesday.

The notification, signed by Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher and issued by order of the President, stated that the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, under Article 96(6) of the Constitution, removed Supreme Court High Court Division Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman on May 21, 2025.

Earlier, on March 18, President Shahabuddin also removed High Court Division Justice Khizir Hayat.

A High Court division bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury set the date after holding hearing on the matter.

Supreme Court lawyer and DSCC resident Md Mamunur Rashid filed the writ petition, which was moved by Advocate Mohammad Hossain. Senior jurists AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, and Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman argued for Ishraque.

Earlier, on March 27, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP Leader Ishraque Hossain as DSCC mayor. The Election Commission on April 27 issued the gazette notification, declaring the BNP leader as mayor.

Confirming to BSS, Appellate Division spokesperson Md Shafikul Islam said the documents have reached the apex court and will be forwarded to the death reference wing of the High Court.

Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on May 17 convicted and sentenced prime accused Hitu Sheikh, father-in-law of the elder sister of the victim, to death in the case. It, however, acquitted three others of the charges. 

Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal pronounced the judgment in presence of the accused.

As per the case details, on March 6, the child was visiting her elder sister's in-laws' house where she was raped. She was initially taken to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition and was later transferred to the 
capital's Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where she died on March 13.

Following the incident, the victim's mother had filed the case with Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. 

After investigation, police submitted the charge-sheet against four individuals on April 13. The court on April 23 framed charges against the four accused including Hitu Sheikh.

Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman issued the bail order based on a petition from Nusraat’s lawyer Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain on Tuesday.

“We had submitted a special put-up requesting Nusraat Faria’s bail,” he said.

“After the hearing, the court granted bail until the police report in the case was submitted and set a Tk 5,000 bond. We will now file a bail application. We hope that she will be released from jail today.”

The arrest of Nusraat, who portrayed the role of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman biopic “Mujib: The Making of a Nation”, sparked widespread discussion and criticism online. Even advisors in the interim government weighed in on the debate.

The actress had been detained by Immigration Police at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on her way to Thailand. She was then placed under arrest in the case.

Sub-Inspector Billal Bhuiyan of Vatara Police Station, the investigating officer in the case, brought Nusraat to court and petitioned to detain her in jail custody. Nusraat’s lawyers petitioned for her bail. Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi stood for the state and opposed the bail.

After the bail hearing, the court ordered a report to be submitted on whether Nusraat had been abroad during the July Uprising and whether she had expressed her support for the movement on Facebook.

The court then ordered her to be taken into jail custody and said a bail hearing would be held on May 22 after the report was submitted.

An individual named Enamul Haque filed the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 282 others over a Jul 19 incident in which he was shot in front of Vatara Police Station during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests. The court approved the case for investigation.

Of the detainees, 886 individuals were accused of previous cases and wanted in pending warrants and 529 others were charged with various criminal offences, said a press release of the Police Headquarters.

During the operation, one foreign-made pistol, one local single-barrel gun and two magazines were seized.

A High Court division bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi set the date after holding hearing on the plea. Petitioner Advocate Rowshan Ali moved the plea before the court while Additional  Attorney General Barrister Aneek Rushd Haque argued for the state.

Supreme Court lawyer Rowshan Ali filed the writ on May 4, saying a couple of recommendations made by the commission are contrary to the constitution, 
values of the country's religious people and Sharia.

The three relevant ministries and the chief of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission were made respondents in the writ.

District and Sessions Judge Sharmin Nigar announced the verdict at noon.

The court also fined them Taka 20,000 each, said Advocate SM Abdul Haque, public prosecutor (PP) of the court.

The convicts are Md. Shahin Sheikh, 23, son of Md. Munjur Sheikh of Komkhali village in Habkhali union of the upazila and Md. Ramzan Khan, 28, son of Md. Ajibar Khan of the same area.

According to prosecution, on November 24, 2020, easy bike driver Md. Abu Rohan, 20, son of Md. Chan Mia of Danga Singia village of the upazila went to Maijpara from Singia Bazar taking two passengers.

After then he did not return home at night. 

The next morning (Nov 25), Rohan's father filed a general diary (GD) at Sadar Police Station in this regard.

Later, on the day, police recovered the body of Abu Rohan from Bamanhat area on Maijpara-Gabatola road of the upazila.

After investigation, police submitted a charge-sheet to the court against three people for their involvement in the murder. 

The judge after examining 14 witnesses and evidence found the convicts guilty and handed down the punishment.

The court also acquitted another one as the charges brought against him were not proven, the PP added.

Judge of Special Judge Court Dilara Alo Chandana pronounced the verdict this afternoon in presence of the convicts, said Advocate Md. Shahjahan Kabir, public prosecutor (PP) of the court.

The convicts are Rahima, 55, wife of late Razzak of Katuli village in Sadar upazila and her daughter Rozina Akhter, 32. 

According to prosecution, on February 19, 2014, the convicts with other family members chopped farmer Shamsul Haque, 55, indiscriminately over previous enmity while he was cleaning weeds on his land near his house at Katuli village. 

He [Shamsul] was rushed to Tangail General Hospital in a critical condition. Later, he was shifted to Dhaka Combined Military Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries after three days of his admission.

Jamiron Begum, wife of the deceased, filed a case with Tangail Model Police Station against Razzak, his wife Rahima, daughter Rozina and son Rafiqul.

Accused Razzak died while the case was ongoing. Besides, since Rafiqul was young at the time of the incident, his case is still pending in the children's court.

The judge after examining witnesses and evidence found the convicts guilty and handed down the punishment, the PP added.

Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Minhajul Islam gave the order as IO of the case Monirul Islam produced Momtaz before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court and prayed for confining her into the jail till end of the investigation.

Lawyers of the former parliament member prayed for her bail, but the metropolitan magistrate rejected the prayer and asked to send her to jail.

Detectives arrested Momtaz from city’s Dhanmondi area on May 12. Court put her on a four-day remand in connection with Sagor murder case under Mirpur Model thana. 

Sagor, a teenage boy was shot dead near Mirpur intersection on July 29 when he joined a procession during anti-discrimination students’ movement.

His mother, Beauty Akhter filed the murder case with Mirpur Model thana on November 27 accusing Momtaz Begum among 242 others including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as the prime accused.

Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal pronounced the judgment in presence of the accused.

After concluding the arguments of the defence and prosecution on May 13, the court set today (May 17) for the judgment.

The child was rapped on March 6 last by Hitu Sheikh, father-in-law of the child's elder sister, when she was visiting their house. She succumbed to death on March 13 due to severe injuries.

She was initially admitted to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition and was later transferred to Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital, where she died on March 13.

Following the incident, the victim's mother filed the case with Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

After investigation, police submitted the charge sheet against four persons on April 13. The court on April 23 framed charges against them.

"The judgment was expected as the accused gave statement under section 164, and the witnesses too gave the same testimonies. We received justice," special public prosecutor Ehsanul Haque Samaji told newsmen after the judgment.

At least 24 people were killed and many others were injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Bangabandhu Avenue here on August 21, 2004.

A four-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order as the hearing on the matter concluded today.

Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir took part in the hearing for Jamaat, while Advocate Touhidul Islam argued for the Election Commission (EC).

Advocate Manir said they pleaded for apex court's observation for giving Jamaat back "scale (Daripalla)" as its symbol. 

Earlier, the apex court on October 22, 2024, restored Jamaat-e-Islami's appeal against the High Court verdict, paving way for the party to take part in the hearing on an appeal against the 2013 judgment that had declared its registration as a political party, illegal.

The Appellate Division started its hearing on the plea on December 3, 2024. Jamaat's counsels in their arguments said the writ, which initiated the whole process to cancel Jamaat's registration, was politically motivated.

The High Court on August 1, 2013, declared illegal Jamaat's registration as a political party. A three-member greater bench of the High Court comprising Justice M Moazzem Hossain, Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Kazi Reza-ul-Huq delivered the judgment on majority. 

The judgment said the registration given to Jamaat by the Election Commission was beyond lawful authority.

The EC on December 7, 2018, issued the gazette, cancelling the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. 

The party later appealed against the High Court judgment. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, however, "dismissed for default" the appeal as the main counsel for party was absent during the hearing.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Ray Chowdhury passed the order after hearing a writ and issued a rule in this regard.

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed the writ before the court in public interest.

The court instructed the Chairman of National River Conservation Commission, Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Environment, DG, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Deputy Commissioner of Narsingdi and Deputy Director of the DoE, Narsingdi to make the list immediately.

The court also gave another instruction to set up wastage refinery centres and anti pollution equipments on the bank of the river and constitute an expert panel comprising the representatives from the concerned statutory public authorities.

The High Court bench also instructed the Chairman of the National River Conservation Commission to form a committee for full time monitoring of the overall progress in this regard. 

It also instructed the DG Environment and its Deputy Director, Narsingdi to test the quality of the water of the river regularly.

The court also instructed the concerned authorities to submit the progress report in these regards within three months.

The court issued the rule asking to know why the failure in protecting the river from the grabbers and its pollution should not be declared as unconstitutional, illegal and against public interest. 

Besides, the court instructed to determine the area of the river as per CS, RS Map and its main flow, eviction of illegal encroachers and harmful establishments and identify the sources of pollution.

It also instructed the authorities concerned to declare the river as environmentally critical area and to take measures to recover, preserve and protect the river. 

Advocate S Hassanul Banna moved for the petitioner (BELA) while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon stood for the state.

“Bangladesh Police is well aware about upholding human rights in executing the laws aimed at ensuring their transparency and accountability,” he said.

He made the remarks when a three-member high level delegation of the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Organisation led by its President Kerry Kennedy paid a courtesy call on the IGP at the Police Headquarters here.

During the meeting, they discussed the human rights situation and other relevant issues, said a press release from the Police Headquarters.

High officials of the police were present.

The arrested individuals are Md Tamim Hawlader (30), Samrat Mallik (28), and Md Palash Sardar (30).

Confirming the arrests to Jago News on Wednesday (May 14), Mohammad Khalid Mansur, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station, said that the three were arrested shortly after the incident. A murder case has been filed, and the arrested individuals will be produced before the court after being shown arrested in the case.

Shammo was the Literature and Publication Secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University and a student of the 2018–19 academic session at the Institute of Education and Research.

According to police sources, Shahriar was returning to the university on a motorcycle around 11:45 pm on Tuesday, along with his university friends Ashraful Alam Rafi (25) and Md Abdullah Al Baizid (25), after visiting Suhrawardy Udyan under Shahbagh Police Station. As they approached the old fountain near the banyan tree north of the Ramna Kali Mandir, a group of 10 to 12 unidentified assailants deliberately hit Shahriar’s motorcycle, causing him to fall.

A verbal altercation ensued between the two groups. At one point, the attackers began physically assaulting Shahriar and his friends with punches, kicks, and bricks. One of the assailants then stabbed Shahriar multiple times in the back of his right thigh with a sharp weapon, intending to kill him.

He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The court commuted the death sentences of two convicts to life imprisonment, while nine others were sentenced to 10 years in prison each.

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a High Court bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Nasreen Akter in one of the country’s most widely discussed cases of militant violence.

The ruling came after the court rejected the state’s plea to uphold the death sentences handed down by the trial court and accepted the appeals filed by the convicts.

The trial court had originally sentenced eight people to death for their involvement in the attack, which killed 10 people and injured dozens.

Earlier, on Jun 23, 2014, Dhaka’s Sessions Judge Ruhul Amin had sentenced eight people to death and six others to life imprisonment in connection with the case.

Among those convicted was Mufti Hannan, the key accused, who had also been sentenced to death in the case involving the attempted assassination of former British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury. His execution was carried out on Apr 12, 2017.

He had also received the death penalty from the trial court in the Ramna Botomul case.

Two other convicts, Abdur Rauf and Yahya, who had been sentenced to life in prison, died while their appeals were still pending before the High Court. As a result, their names, along with Mufti Hannan’s, were excluded from the final judgment.

Militants conducted the bomb attack on the Pohela Boishakh event put on by cultural institution Chhayanaut on Apr 14, 2001.

An investigation found that the attack was carried out by a fundamentalist group in an attempt to strike at the core of Bangladesh’s non-communal spirit. Later, Sgt Amal Chandra Chanda of the Nilkhet Police Outpost filed two cases -- one for murder and the other under the Explosives Act -- at the Ramna Police Station. Mufti Hannan, the chief of banned militant organisation Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), and 13 others were accused in both cases.

Nearly eight years after the incident, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police filed a chargesheet at a Dhaka court on Nov 30, 2008, accusing 14 people in the two cases.

Apart from Mufti Hannan, Akbar Hossain, Arif Hasan Sumon, Md Tajuddin, Hafez Jahangir Alam Badar, Abu Bakar alias Hafez Selim Howlader, Abdul Hai and Shafiqur Rahman were sentenced to death.

Shahadatullah Jewel, Sabbir, Sheikh Farid, Abdur Rouf, Yahya and Abu Taher were sentenced to life in prison.

The convicts in prison later appealed to the High Court for acquittal. In addition, according to the rules for death sentences, the case was brought to the High Court for approval of the death references.

After going through several benches, hearings restarted this year in a bench headed by Justice Islam. After hearing from both the prosecution and defence, the High Court kept the case pending for a verdict date on Feb 18.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court passed the order today, Tuesday. A source in the court confirmed the development to Prothom Alo.

Sources at the court said the police appealed for a seven-day remand of the former lawmaker for questioning under the Sagar murder case filed with Mirpur police station in the capital. The court granted a four-day-remand for questioning after the hearing.

Earlier, on Monday night, the detective branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested Momtaj from Dhanmondi. The DMP confirmed her arrest through a text message.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, DB joint commissioner Mohammad Nasirul Islam told Prothom Alo last night that the former lawmaker had been accused in several cases, including murder cases.

She was arrested from a house near the Dhanmondi Star Kabab around 11:00 pm last night. She was taken to the DB office after the arrest.

The popular folk singer was an Awami League lawmaker from the Manikganj-2 constituency for several terms.