[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/hasan-mahmud-held-dhaka-airport-3670981

Hasan Mahmud held at Dhaka airport

Hasan Mahmud. File photo

Former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud has been detained today at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

According to the officials of Dhaka airport, the civil aviation authority also detained the general secretary of Bangladesh Chattra League's Dhaka University unit Tanbir Hasan Shaikat and Dhaka North unit president Riaz Mahmud.

Earlier, former state minister for ICT ministry Zunaid Ahmed Palak was held at the airport.

The detainees have been handed over to the Bangladesh Army, according to the officials.
Sources said Palak's family has left the country.

Besides, the family members of two former ministers -- education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives minister Md Tazul Islam left the country through the airport.

Former finance minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, sports minister Nazmul Hassan Papon and Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh also left the country through HSIA since Sunday, sources said.

Besides, former MP of Munshiganj-3 Mrinal Kanti Das and supreme court judge Md Badruzzaman also left the country.​

 

[Saif]

Palak stopped at Dhaka airport: HSIA official

Former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was stopped at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to flee the country.

images.thedailystar.net

Palak stopped at Dhaka airport: HSIA official

File photo: Collected

Former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was stopped at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to flee the country.

An airport official told The Daily Star that HSIA authorities are keeping him at the airport, and have informed the army about it.

The official said Palak was trying to go to New Delhi when the airport staffers and workers stopped him.​

 

[Saif]

Immigration posts: Ops open, but not for all

Operations at all immigration posts in the country is active, said immigration officials

www.thedailystar.net

Immigration posts: Ops open, but not for all

Operations at all immigration posts in the country is active, said immigration officials.

However, various high-profile individuals such as former ministers, MPs, political leaders, government officials and media workers are not being allowed to cross the immigration posts as they could not fulfil the necessary conditions, said sources at Immigration and Special Branch.

The decision has been taken after consultation with other intelligence agencies, they added.​

 

[Saif]

Murder case against Hasina: Court seeks probe report by Sept 15

A Dhaka court today asked police to submit by September 15 the probe report of the case filed against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and six others over the death of grocery shop owner Abu Saeed in police firing in the capital's Mohammadpur area during the quota protests on July 19.

www.thedailystar.net

Murder case against Hasina: Court seeks probe report by Sept 15
Sheikh Hasina sued for crimes against humanity

File photo

A Dhaka court today asked police to submit by September 15 the probe report of the case filed against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and six others over the death of grocery shop owner Abu Saeed in police firing in the capital's Mohammadpur area during the quota protests on July 19.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zaki Al Farabi set the date after the case was placed before his court for next course of actions.

The other accused are Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, former DB (Dhaka Metropolitan Police) chief Harun Or Rashid, former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, and former DMP joint commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker.

On August 13, SM Amir Hamza Shatil, a resident of Mohammadpur, filed the murder case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury.

This was the first case lodged against Hasina after she resigned and went to India amid an uprising on August 5.

In the case, several unnamed top police officials and other government officials have also been accused, Mamun Mia, a lawyer for the complainant, told The Daily Star earlier.

In his complaint, Shatil mentioned that Saeed was killed around 4:00pm on July 19 when police were firing indiscriminately on the protesters, following the accused's directives.

Asaduzzaman ordered police to open fire on the demonstrators, read the complaint.

The victim's family members, who are very poor, live in Boda upazila of Panchagarh. They do not have the ability to file the case, he mentioned in the complaint.

Yesterday, another complaint was filed with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday accusing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others of committing crimes against humanity and genocide between July 15 and August 5.

Two more cases, including a murder case, were also filed yesterday against Sheikh Hasina and several others with two separate Dhaka courts.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina, eight others sued for crimes against humanity, genocide

A case was filed with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal today against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others on charge of committing crimes against humanity and genocide between July 15 and August 5 this year

www.thedailystar.net

Hasina, eight others sued for crimes against humanity, genocide

A case was filed with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal today against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others on charge of committing crimes against humanity and genocide between July 15 and August 5 this year.

Supreme Court lawyer Gazi MH Tanim filed the complaint around 1:30pm today on behalf of Bulbul Kabir, father of Alif Ahmed Siam, a class 9 student who was shot in Savar by police on August 5 and died of his injuries two days later.

The other accused are former ministers Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal; former state ministers Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Mohammad Ali Arafat; former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun; former DB chief Harun Or Rashid; former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman; and former Rab director general Harun Ar Rashid.

"We have registered the complaint and thus the investigation of the case has started," Ataur Rahman, deputy director of the agency, told The Daily Star today.

"Upon completion of the probe, we will submit the report to the Chief Prosecutor's Office of the tribunal for the next procedures," he added .

Apart from the individuals, the complaint was lodged against Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other front organisations.

The case was filed hours after Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the interim government would take initiatives to hold a trial of the killings that took place during the students' protest at the International Crimes Tribunal.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina has been sued for enforced disappearance.

 

[Saif]

Victim of enforced disappearance sues Hasina

Former home, law ministers also accused

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Victim of enforced disappearance sues Hasina
Former home, law ministers also accused in abduction case

File photo

Another case was filed against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and four others over the abduction and torture of Supreme Court lawyer Sohel Rana in February 2015.

The other accused are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former law minister Anisul Huq, the then inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Haque, and former director general of Rapid Action Battalion Benazir Ahmed.

Twenty to 25 unnamed people were also made accused in the case.

After the hearing, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farzana Shakila Sumu Chowdhury recorded the statement of the complainant, Sohel Rana, and asked the officer-in-charge of Uttara West Police Station to register the complaint as a first information report.

In the complaint, Sohel Rana alleged that members of law enforcement agencies in plainclothes abducted him from sector-5, road-1, Uttara around 8:00pm on February 10, 2015.

The complainant said he was taken to different locations where he was tortured. After six months and three days, he was released.

Yesterday, Hasina, Asaduzzaman and five others were sued over the death of grocery shop owner Abu Sayed in police firing in the capital's Mohammadpur area during quota reform protests on July 19.​

 

[Saif]

ACC initiates inquiry against ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday initiated an inquiry against six people, including former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, on charges of amassing illegal wealth through taking bribe...

www.newagebd.net

ACC initiates inquiry against ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan
Staff Correspondent 15 August, 2024, 13:54

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. | Collected photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday initiated an inquiry against six people, including former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, on charges of amassing illegal wealth through taking bribe.

ACC formed an inquiry team, led by its deputy director Jahangir Alam, to carry out the inquiry.

The other five people are —home ministry’s additional secretary Harunur Rashid, joint secretary Sanjoy Kumar Das, APS Monir Hossain, public relations officer Sharif Mahmud Opu and administrative official Mollah Ibrahim Hossain.

There are allegations that a syndicate, led by former home minister and additional secretary Harunur Rashid, amassed a huge amount of money through taking bribe for recruiting people in police, Department of Narcotics Control and fire service.

ACC deputy director (public relations) Md Aktarul Islam confirmed the news of starting inquiry against the six.​

 

[Saif]

Tuku, Palak shown arrested in rickshaw puller murder case, police to seek remand

Former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Dhaka University Chhatra League General Secretary Tanveer Hasan Saikat have been shown arrested over the murder case of a rickshaw puller at Dhaka’s Paltan. They have been at the Dhaka Metropolitan

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tuku, Palak shown arrested in rickshaw puller murder case, police to seek remand
Published :
Aug 15, 2024 12:10
Updated :
Aug 15, 2024 12:10

Former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Dhaka University Chhatra League General Secretary Tanveer Hasan Saikat have been shown arrested over the murder case of a rickshaw puller at Dhaka’s Paltan.

They have been at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch office on Minto Road in Dhaka since the arrests on Wednesday night. Police will produce them before the court and seek remands for each of them on Thursday.

Police arrested them from the Nikunja residential area in Dhaka's Khilkhet Thana area on Wednesday based on a tip-off, reports bdnews24.com.

"Shamsul Haque Tuku, Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Tanveer Hasan Saikat have been arrested in a case over the killing of a rickshaw puller in Paltan on Jul 19. Then they were taken to the DB office at night,” said Sentu Mia, chief of Paltan Model Police Station.

"They’ll be produced to the court and police will petition to take them into remand for interrogation. We may ask for a 10-day remand for each of them.”

The three were arrested amid the spree of naming the ministers and MPs of the fallen Awami League government in different cases.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Obaidur Rahman said that these individuals were in hiding and police arrested them in relation to the case filed at Paltan Police Station.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, former law minister Anisul Huq and former prime minister's adviser on private industry and investment Salman F Rahman were detained in Sadarghat.

Following Sheikh Hasina's fall in the wake of intense student protests, numerous cases have been filed against her and other party leaders and activists for the violence and casualties associated with the movement.

Arrests are under way in these cases.

After Aug 5, as the Awami League's MPs, ministers, and officials scampered for safety, many fled the country, though most stayed back.

The army chief said on Tuesday that they are safeguarding several individuals whose lives are at risk, noting that those implicated in criminal cases will be held accountable.

On Aug 6, it was reported that Palak was detained at Shahjalal International Airport during an attempted departure. Airport officials indicated he was handed over to a security force, though the details of the agency were not disclosed.

Eight days later, on Wednesday night, police confirmed Palak's arrest in connection with a case registered at Paltan Police Station.​

 

[Saif]

Firing from helicopter: Case filed against Sheikh Hasina for killing a child

A case has been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 15 others on the charge of killing Yobayit Hossain Imon (12), a class four student of Darunnajat Islamia Madrasa in Mohammadpur, from RAB helicopter during the quota protests on July 19. On Thursday (August 15), Imman Abdullah A

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Firing from helicopter: Case filed against Sheikh Hasina for killing a child
FE Online Desk
Published :
Aug 15, 2024 14:24
Updated :
Aug 15, 2024 14:31

A case has been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 15 others on the charge of killing Yobayit Hossain Imon (12), a class four student of Darunnajat Islamia Madrasa in Mohammadpur, from RAB helicopter during the quota protests on July 19.

On Thursday (August 15), Imman Abdullah Abu Saeed Bhuiya, uncle of the deceased, filed this case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury, local media reported.

The court accepted the statement of the plaintiff and directed the officer-in-charge of Mohammadpur Police Station to register the complaint as a first information report (FIR).​

 

[Saif]

Hasina faces ‘genocide’ charges in tribunal she formed

In the wake of recent violence stemming from the government's handling of quota reform protests and calls for its resignation, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now faces legal scrutiny at the International Crimes Tribunal or ICT. On Wednesday, a lawyer filed a petition calling for proceedings a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina faces ‘genocide’ charges in tribunal she formed
bdnews24.com
Published :
Aug 15, 2024 09:59
Updated :
Aug 15, 2024 09:59

In the wake of recent violence stemming from the government's handling of quota reform protests and calls for its resignation, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now faces legal scrutiny at the International Crimes Tribunal or ICT.

On Wednesday, a lawyer filed a petition calling for proceedings against Hasina, which, if accepted, would result in her being tried at the tribunal she helped establish for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

There is a divergence of opinions among legal experts on whether the ICT can adjudicate recent events beyond war crimes.

The student-led protests demanding reforms in government job quotas evolved into a government-toppling movement in early August, resulting in nearly 300 deaths within just three weeks due to widespread violence.

On Aug 5, during the protesters' march towards Dhaka, it was reported that Hasina had left the country.

Later that day, army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman announced her resignation. Hasina then travelled to Delhi via helicopter and military aircraft, where she remains.

Following Hasina’s resignation, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was established, promising to address administrative and political reforms and hold accountable those involved in the violence.

In the past two days, three cases have been lodged against Hasina, with allegations including two separate charges of murder and one involving abduction and torture.

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul formally announced the initiative to prosecute the former prime minister and others at the ICT.

He said: "Under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973, amended in 2009 and 2013, we are considering the mass killings in early August, alongside those responsible for these crimes, for prosecution at the ICT.

“We have conducted a preliminary study and found that the law allows for the prosecution of those involved in these acts, including those who issued orders or facilitated them."

Nazrul also mentioned the potential restructuring of the ICT's investigation agency to handle cases involving student deaths.

APPEAL TO TRIBUNAL AFTER THREE CASES

On Wednesday morning, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said the interim government will take the initiative to hold trials on the ‘genocide’ committed during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement’s protests over the allegations brought against the deposed prime minister and other senior officials at the International Crimes Tribunal.

A few hours after his remarks, a lawyer moved the ICT with a plea to investigate Hasina over allegations of ‘murder, genocide, and torture’ during the quota reform movement.

The petition also appealed for investigations against nine others, including Awami League General Secretary and former roads minister Obaidul Quader.

Supreme Court Advocate Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim filed the petition on behalf of Md Bulbul Kabir, the father of Arif Ahmed Siam from Bagerhat, who was killed during the government job quota protests.

Md Ataur Rahman, deputy director (Administration) of the ICT's investigation agency, confirmed the receipt of the petition.

He said the inquiry process would soon commence.

He told bdnews24.com: "We will carry out the necessary paperwork, visit the scenes of the incidents, and conduct investigations across the country. A report will be submitted afterwards."

Besides Hasina, Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman, Palak, and Arafat will also be investigated.

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, former DB chief Harunor Rashid, and former commissioner of DMP Habibur Ahmed will also be probed over the allegations of ‘murder, genocide, and torture’ during the quota reform movement.

According to Tamim, the investigative agency will probe the allegations and recommend a case if the allegations are substantiated.

A case will then be filed in the ICT.

THREE CASES FILED AGAINST HASINA

A murder case against Hasina was lodged on Tuesday and two more followed on Wednesday, accusing her of murder, abduction, and torture.

One of the murder cases filed at Kafrul Police Station on Wednesday was linked to the death of Foijul Islam Rajon, a student of Dhaka Model Degree College, during the quota reform protests in Mirpur.

Six former ministers, ex-MPs, and top police officers are also among the 23 others accused in the case filed by Rajon’s brother, Md Rajib, 32, at Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Court.

Judge Ahmed Humayun Kabir took cognisance of the charges and ordered Kafrul police to register it as a case in which Hasina is the prime accused.

The other accused include Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Awami League; Asaduzzaman Khan, former home minister; Anisul Huq, former law minister; Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former minister of textiles and jute; Hasan Mahmud, former foreign minister; Mohammad Ali Arafat, former state minister for information and broadcasting; Salman F Rahman, former advisor to ex-PM; and various other political figures and former high-ranking officials.

At least 500 unnamed AL leaders and activists have also been implicated.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Advocate Sohel Rana filed another case against Hasina and four other senior officials, accusing them of abduction and torture.

After hearing his complaint, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farzana Shakil Sumu Chowdhury ordered police to receive it as a case.

In addition to Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman, former law minister Anisul, former IGP Shahidul Haque, former RAB director general Benazir Ahmed and 25 unidentified RAB members were named in the case.

Earlier on Tuesday, a murder case was filed against Hasina and seven others at a Dhaka court over the death of a trader allegedly gunned down by police in Mohammadpur.

The court ordered Mohammadpur Police Station to consider the complaint as a case too.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMES TRIBUNAL

The International Crimes (Tribunal) Act, enacted in 1971 under the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman administration, was designed to prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity. In response to a long pause in trials, the Sheikh Hasina administration introduced amendments to the Act after taking office in 2009.

On Mar 25, 2010, Bangladesh established its first International Crimes Tribunal with Justice Nizamul Haque as chairman, alongside Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and retired district judge AKM Zahir Ahmed as members. A second tribunal was formed on Mar 22, 2012, chaired by Justice Obaidul Hassan, with Justice Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Shahinur Islam as additional members.

The second tribunal issued its first judgment on Jan 21, 2013, sentencing fugitive war criminal Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to death.

On Feb 5, 2013, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla, known as the 'Butcher of Mirpur,' was sentenced to life imprisonment, sparking widespread public protests.

In response to the Ganajagaran Mancha movement, the Tribunal Act was revised to balance the appeals process for both the defence and prosecution.

The Supreme Court upheld Molla's execution on Dec 12, 2013.

As of Sept 15, 2015, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ceased operations after delivering 11 verdicts, including those against Maulana Azad, Quader Molla, Kamaruzzaman, Mir Quasem Ali, and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 remains active, having adjudicated 44 cases related to 1971 crimes against humanity, with significant verdicts against Jamaat leaders Ghulam Azam, Matiur Rahman Nizami, Delawar Hossain Sayedee, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.

Of the 131 convicts from the first 51 cases, 91 have been sentenced to death.

To date, six individuals, including five leaders of Jamaat, the party that opposed Bangladesh’s independence in the 1971 Liberation War, and one BNP member, have been executed following their appeals.

WHAT IS THE JURISDICTION OF ICT?

According to former ICT prosecutor Advocate Rana Das Gupta, it will not be possible to prosecute the former premier and those involved under a tribunal which was formed to try war crimes.

He told bdnews24.com: “The International Crimes Tribunal was formed to try war crimes. But no war took place in Bangladesh after 1971.”

“I don’t understand how the trial can be done here,” added Dasgupta.

However, Advocate Tamim believes it is possible to try the crimes in that tribunal following the International Crimes Tribunal Act.

Das Gupta explained: “There will be three judges under this tribunal, along with a prosecution team, and an investigation agency.”

“Now, we can see that a murder case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina. It was handed over to the PBI (Police Bureau of Investigation) for investigation after being treated as an FIR. If you wish to file a case in the International Crimes Tribunal, once the case is filed, it has to be sent to the investigative body of the tribunal.”

“This does not fall within the purview of Bangladesh’s investigative agencies. On the other hand, the murder case was filed under Section 302. This normal panel court does not apply to the law of international tribunal.”

But, Adv Tamim insisted: “According to Section 3, subsection 1 of the ICT Act 1971, ‘targeted people’ can be tried for murder, genocide, physical and mental torture. Here, genocide was carried out on the people participating in the mass movement – not a single individual.

"The preamble of this law clearly states that any murder, genocide, or torture before and after the passing of the law can be tried in this tribunal. 56 trials have already been conducted here. This is 'settled'. There will be no problem in trying.”

“The way people seeking freedom during 1971 were the target of a genocide, the same ‘targeted people’ were killed during this movement; hence it is genocide,” said Tamim.

Referring to the case filed against Hasina under Section 302 of the Penal Code, he said: "In this case, the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code cannot proceed. Because no specific person was killed. Here, a group of people have been targeted for killing. So it's genocide. Section 302 cases should be brought here instead.”​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka to decide whether to seek Hasina’s extradition

As cases rise against her, including murder accusations, Bangladesh will decide whether to ask India to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to New Delhi last week, the country’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka to decide whether to seek Hasina’s extradition
Says foreign adviser as cases against the ousted leader mount

Touhid Hossain

As cases rise against her, including murder accusations, Bangladesh will decide whether to ask India to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to New Delhi last week, the country's Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said yesterday.

Hossain, in an interview, said he did not want to speculate, but noted that Hasina was facing "so many cases".

If the country's home and law ministries decide, "we have to ask for her...return to Bangladesh", he said.

"That creates an embarrassing situation for the Indian government," he said, adding India "knows this and I am sure they will take care of it". He did not elaborate.

India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

Hasina fled the country for India on Aug 5 after a violent uprising against her led to nearly 300 people getting killed, including many students. She has been named in two murder cases already, along with senior members of her cabinet.

Ataur Rahman, deputy director of the investigation cell of International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court, said it had launched a third case - an investigation against ten people, including Hasina, for murder, torture and genocide during the period of the protests.

At least three of Hasina's former ministers and advisers have already been arrested in Bangladesh.

In her only statement since her ouster, Hasina has demanded a probe into the killings and vandalism during the protests. She has not commented on the charges against her.

Hossain, a retired diplomat, is the adviser on foreign affairs in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which was sworn in last week after Hasina's ouster. The council of advisers includes other retired officials, lawyers, student leaders of the protests and some opposition politicians.

In his first interview to international media since taking over, Hossain said Yunus is "very unhappy about the way the statements are coming from India, from the former prime minister" and he conveyed this to the Indian envoy in a meeting on Wednesday.

He added that Dhaka wants good ties with everyone, including India, China and the US.

Discussing possible elections in Bangladesh, the adviser said that there will be more clarity on the timeline by September.

"Because everyone, all my colleagues in the council of advisers, they are extremely busy with bringing back normalcy" which should be restored by early September, he said.

He said the interim's government priority is to bring "irreversible" reforms, "because our system has been thoroughly corrupted and the institutions have been destroyed and they have to be restored."

Once elections are announced, he said, "we fade away", referring to senior members of the interim government.

"None of us have any political ambitions."

ROHINGYA REFUGEES

Hossain also asked India, and other countries, to take in more Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, as Bangladesh was not in a position to accept any more.

Hossain said other countries need to put pressure on the Arakan Army rebel group in Myanmar to "ensure this does not happen", referring to attacks on Rohingyas in their native Rakhine state.

"The world community has to create a situation that they (the Rohingya) can go back," he said.

"It is a humanitarian issue that involves the entire world, not only Bangladesh. We have done more than our share," Hossain said.​

 

[Saif]

Nazmul in favour of resigning?

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan is in favour of stepping down as board president, sources have claimed.

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Nazmul in favour of resigning?

Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon is in favour of stepping down as board president, sources have claimed.

BCB sources told The Daily Star that they are aware that one of the board directors have gotten in touch with Nazmul and have been told that the board president is ready to cooperate. It is being assumed that the BCB president is currently in London.

"I have heard that Papon bhai told one of our directors that he wants to cooperate. I have not talked to the BCB president directly. I have only heard that he is ready to cooperate but haven't heard of resigning," a BCB director told The Daily Star on conditions of anonymity.

The Daily Star tried to communicate with BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury over this matter but the CEO did not pick up the phone.

On conditions of anonymity, another BCB director said: "I have heard of this [resignation] but when I called the CEO, he informed that he has not gotten any such thing from the president."

According to BCB's constitution, only the president can call for board meetings. In case of an extraordinary situation such as the one that is now existent, the BCB president can communicate with the board directors via phone call or texts and call for a meeting. The BCB president can also direct a board member to preside over a board meeting in his absence.

A vice-president too can call for a board meeting but despite there being provision for two vice-presidents to be appointed in the current constitution, the BCB did not appoint any. Thus, without any communication, the board members themselves cannot call a board meeting.

It was learned that BCB directors have discussed the current circumstances amongst themselves.

BCB sources relayed that the board has sought a guideline from relevant authorities on how to run the board with many directors absent at the moment.

A few directors are concerned about whether stepping down at the moment might impact the upcoming Women's T20 World cup, scheduled to be played in October this year in Bangladesh. The ICC are going to continue to assess the situation in Bangladesh before taking a decision on the Women's T20 World Cup.​

 

[Saif]

Provide info on bank accounts of S Alam, family

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked for bank account details of Chattogram-based businessman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his family members to check if they have been paying their taxes properly.

www.thedailystar.net

Provide info on bank accounts of S Alam, family
NBR directs banks

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked for bank account details of Chattogram-based businessman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his family members to check if they have been paying their taxes properly.

The NBR wrote to 91 banks and financial institutions to this effect on Wednesday, said Ahsan Habib, commissioner of taxes, Tax Zone-15, an NBR field office in Dhaka, yesterday, adding that the move was part of their "routine job".

In the letters, information on the bank accounts and credit cards of S Alam, his brother Mohammed Abdullah Hasan, mother Chemon Ara Begum, and wife Farzana Parveen have been requested.

Additionally, details about any personal or business accounts jointly held in the names of S Alam's sister, daughter, or son have been sought.

S Alam Group was founded by Saiful Alam in 1985, and has since risen to become one of Bangladesh's largest conglomerates.

The group's business interests range from commodity trade to fishing, building materials to real estate, textiles to media, intercity buses to shipping, and power and energy to banking and insurance.

S Alam's wife Farzana and brother Hasan are directors of S Alam Luxury Chair Coach Service and S Alam Cold Rolled Steel Limited. S Alam's mother, Chemon Ara Begum, on the other hand, is a director of S Alam Luxury Chair Coach Service.

The NBR asked banks that the information be provided as soon as possible.

S Alam he did not pick up our calls yesterday. Subrata Kumar Bhowmick, an executive director of S Alam Group, could not be reached over the phone. He also did not respond to text messages.

The move by the NBR's field office comes in less than two weeks after a mass uprising forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to step down, ending her 15-year rule.

There have been various allegations, including money laundering, against S Alam Group, which was one of the industrial groups to benefit during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.

A year ago, an investigation by The Daily Star found, S Alam built a business empire in Singapore worth at least $1 billion, although there is no record of him taking any permission from Bangladesh Bank to invest or transfer any funds abroad.

Two days later, on August 6, 2023, the High Court, on a suo motu (voluntary) move, directed the authorities concerned to conduct an inquiry into the allegations against S Alam and submit reports in two months.

However, on August 23, the Supreme Court chamber judge put on hold the inquiry against S Alam.

Later, on February 4, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court discharged the High Court Division's suo moto rule.​

 

[Saif]

Case filed against Bodi and 32 others in Teknaf

A case was filed against Abdur Rahman Bodi, the controversial Awami League politician of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, and 32 others on charges of vandalism, looting and attack on businesses.

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Case filed against Bodi and 32 others in Teknaf

Abdur Rahman Bodi. File photo

A case was filed against Abdur Rahman Bodi, the controversial Awami League politician of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, and 32 others on charges of vandalism, looting and attack on businesses.

Teknaf Upazila Parishad Chairman Zafar Ahmed has also been accused in this case.

On Wednesday night, Cox's Bazar district BNP finance secretary Mohammad Abdullah filed the written complaint, where 70 unidentified people were also accused.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Osman Gani confirmed this information.

In the complaint, the plaintiff mentioned that after the fall of the government on August 5, armed attacks were carried out at his filling station (petrol pump), Alo shopping complex, Hotel Naf Queen and several other establishments under the leadership Bodi, the former member of parliament for Ukhiya-Teknaf.

They vandalised and looted the establishments, the complaint read.​