DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today sentenced Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader and six others to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict this afternoon.

The six other convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

All seven were tried in absentia and remain at large, according to reports on the verdict. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of 50 percent of the movable and immovable properties of Quader, Nasim, Arafat, Parash and Nikhil. The proceeds from the sale of the confiscated assets are to be used to provide compensation to those killed and injured during the July-August uprising, through the July Foundation or another statutory institution.

Charges against Quader

According to the prosecution, Quader, as Awami League general secretary and a former cabinet minister, exercised command and control over law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations during the suppression of the student-led movement.

The prosecution alleged that he issued instructions to party and student leaders to confront protesters, helped coordinate the mobilisation of armed cadres and was involved in decisions concerning the use of force, curfew measures and restrictions on communications. The prosecution also alleged that the violence during the July-August uprising resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and over 25,000 serious injuries.

Bahauddin Nasim

The tribunal also sentenced AFM Bahauddin Nasim to death. The prosecution accused him of participating in high-level party decision-making concerning the response to the student protests and of helping organise and facilitate measures to suppress the movement.

The prosecution further alleged that Nasim was involved in coordinating the implementation of the government’s crackdown and that statements made by him contributed to the mobilisation of party activists and law enforcement personnel against protesters.

Mohammad Ali Arafat

Former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was also sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Arafat of involvement in efforts to control media coverage of the violence and suppress reports concerning killings and attacks during the uprising. It also alleged that he participated in decisions concerning the government’s response to the protests and supported the use of force against demonstrators.

Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash

Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. According to the prosecution, Parash exercised command responsibility over Jubo League activists mobilised to suppress the student movement. Prosecutors linked the organisation’s cadres to violent incidents in several parts of the country during July and August 2024.

Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil

Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil was also handed the death sentence. The prosecution accused Nikhil of mobilising Jubo League activists and participating directly in operations against protesters. It alleged that he was involved in armed attacks in Dhaka and played a role in coordinating Jubo League activities during the uprising.

Saddam Hossain

Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain was convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged role in organising and mobilising armed cadres against student protesters. The prosecution alleged that Saddam issued threats against demonstrators and helped organise BCL activists during attacks on Dhaka University and other locations. Prosecutors also linked the organisation’s activities to violence that resulted in deaths and injuries during the uprising.

Sheikh Wali Asif Inan

BCL General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan was the seventh person sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Inan of receiving operational instructions and funds, mobilising BCL activists and participating in attacks against protesters. It also alleged that he coordinated activities with senior party leaders during the violence.

Trial proceedings

The investigation into the case began in June 2025, and the investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution in December that year. ICT-2 formally took cognisance of the charges in December 2025 and framed charges in January 2026.

The trial began in February 2026, with 29 prosecution witnesses giving testimony. The prosecution and defence concluded their closing arguments in August, after which the tribunal kept the case awaiting judgment. The defence had rejected the allegations and sought acquittal, according to reports on the proceedings.

DHAKA — A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the freezing of four bank accounts, two beneficiary owner (BO) accounts and two savings certificates held in the names of former Shariatpur-2 lawmaker AKM Enamul Haque Shamim and his wife, Mst Tahmina Khatun, amid an inquiry into allegations of corruption and money laundering.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Shahjahan Kabir passed the order following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the ACC, an inquiry is underway into allegations of money laundering involving Shamim and individuals and organisations linked to his interests.

During the inquiry, investigators found information about various bank accounts, BO accounts and savings certificates held in the names of Shamim and his wife, the commission said. Two of the bank accounts are in Shamim’s name at National Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch and First Security Islami Bank PLC’s Dilkusha Branch.

The other two bank accounts are in Tahmina Khatun’s name at National Bank PLC’s Foreign Exchange Branch and National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch. Tahmina Khatun also holds two BO accounts with Sinha Securities Limited and NBL Securities Limited, along with two family savings certificates registered with the Department of National Savings.

The ACC told the court that information obtained during the inquiry indicated that the individuals named in the allegations were allegedly attempting to transfer, hand over or dispose of funds and other assets held in the accounts and certificates.

The commission said that if the assets were transferred or disposed of, recovering the money later could become difficult. It therefore sought an immediate freeze on the accounts and savings certificates to prevent the withdrawal, transfer or disposal of the funds. After hearing the ACC’s application, the court granted the plea and ordered the freezing of the movable assets.

NEW YORK — A Brooklyn day care owner has been sentenced to 76 months in federal prison for her leadership role in a massive Medicaid fraud and illegal kickback scheme involving two social adult day care centers and a home health care company, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Zakia Khan was sentenced on September 9, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Natasha C. Merle in federal court in Brooklyn. In addition to the prison sentence, Khan was ordered to pay more than $56 million in restitution and forfeit $5 million in proceeds connected to the fraud.

According to court documents, Khan owned and operated Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. in Coney Island. She also controlled Responsible Care Staffing Inc. and Tanwee Services Inc.

The fraudulent scheme operated from approximately October 2017 through July 2024. Prosecutors said Khan and her associates recruited Medicaid beneficiaries through marketers and paid illegal kickbacks to induce them to participate in the adult day care program.

The scheme involved submitting Medicaid claims for services that were not actually provided. The two adult day care centers submitted approximately $64 million in fraudulent claims, of which Medicaid paid approximately $56 million.

The broader criminal operation was described by federal prosecutors as a $68 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Khan and her associates also used various businesses to move and distribute proceeds from the scheme. Some of the money was allegedly used to provide cash kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries and marketers.

Khan pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks. At the time, she also agreed to forfeit $5 million in proceeds from the scheme.

During a search of Khan’s residence, investigators seized cash, gold jewelry and assets connected to two properties. Those assets are included in the forfeiture ordered by the court. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department.

Several other defendants have also faced charges in connection with the scheme. Federal authorities initially charged eight people in connection with the alleged $68 million operation. The Justice Department has not publicly identified Khan’s nationality or country of origin in its official case documents. Therefore, she should not be described in the news as Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian unless a reliable source specifically confirms her background.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of New York.

DHAKA: The High Court has paved the way for Grameen Kalyan to pay Tk 666.91 crore in taxes to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), dismissing two rules that had earlier been issued in connection with the tax dispute. A High Court Division bench comprising Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Rezaul Karim pronounced the judgment after hearing the petitions.

Senior Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun appeared for Grameen Kalyan, while Deputy Attorney General Abdus Samad Azad represented the state. According to the state lawyer, following Thursday’s judgment, Grameen Kalyan will have to pay a total of Tk 666.91 crore to the NBR for the tax years from 2012 to 2017. The dispute concerns tax assessments made by the NBR for those years. Grameen Kalyan had challenged the tax demands before the High Court.

The case had previously gone through another round of proceedings. In August 2024, an earlier High Court bench had rejected Grameen Kalyan’s petitions, effectively allowing the NBR to recover the disputed taxes.

However, that judgment was subsequently withdrawn after concerns arose over a possible conflict of interest involving one of the judges, who had previously appeared as a lawyer for the government in the same matter. The case was then sent for a fresh hearing. Following the renewed hearing, the newly constituted High Court bench dismissed the two rules, resulting in the latest ruling in favour of the NBR’s tax claim.

Grameen Kalyan is a non-profit social business organisation founded by Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus. The latest judgment clears a major legal hurdle to the recovery of the disputed tax amount for the 2012–2017 tax years. It was not immediately clear whether Grameen Kalyan would challenge the judgment before the Appellate Division.

NEW YORK: A violent clash erupted between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in Jackson Heights, Queens, leaving one senior leader seriously injured and another arrested by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 3 during an event held on 73rd Street, commonly known as “Bangladesh Street,” in Jackson Heights.

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, a heated verbal altercation broke out between members of the two factions over longstanding organizational disputes and leadership rivalry. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight, resulting in a bloody clash.

During the violence, several people at the scene were heard shouting warnings that a weapon or firearm might be present, prompting panic among attendees. Multiple videos of the incident later circulated widely on social media, drawing significant attention and concern within the Bangladeshi-American community.

Mohammad Shihab, Joint General Secretary of the United States Bangladesh Chhatra League, was reportedly assaulted during the clash and sustained serious injuries. Local residents and bystanders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he remains under medical treatment.

Responding to emergency calls, officers from the NYPD arrived promptly at the scene and brought the situation under control. Based on allegations of assault, police detained and later arrested Zakir Hossain Rahul, also a Joint General Secretary of the United States Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Local party members said the violence stemmed from longstanding internal divisions within the organization, including demands for the resignation of the recently appointed president of the U.S. unit, Mahmud Hasan, and disagreements over the current leadership committee. They alleged that the clash was the result of escalating political rivalry and a struggle for organizational control.

The incident has drawn criticism from many members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, who expressed disappointment over the outbreak of violence involving a prominent student organization on U.S. soil.

Following the incident, the President of the United States Awami League, Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, and General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad issued a joint statement urging party leaders and activists to remain calm and exercise restraint.

In the statement, Dr. Rahman said those responsible for the violence would be investigated and that strict organizational action would be taken in accordance with the party’s constitution. The leaders also urged supporters to refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation on social media and to rely only on verified information regarding the incident. The NYPD investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

New Jersey: Two Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in New Jersey after allegedly posing as bank security officials to scam a woman out of $25,000 and attempting to collect an additional $30,000, according to police. The suspects, identified as Mohammad N. Islam, 48, of Egg Harbor, and Mohammad Z. Islam, 58, of Westville, were arrested Friday by the Riverside Township Police Department. Authorities said N. Islam is originally from Narail, Bangladesh, while Z. Islam is from Mirsharai in Chattogram.

According to a spokesperson for the Riverside Township Police Department, both men have been charged in connection with fraud and deception offenses.

Police said the investigation began after a local woman reported that she had been targeted by a sophisticated scam. According to her complaint, fraudsters falsely claimed that her computer had been infected with a virus that was compromising the security of her Wells Fargo bank account. They also warned that the FBI was investigating the matter and threatened that she could face serious legal consequences if she failed to cooperate.

The woman was then instructed to call a phone number provided by the scammers. During the call, she was told that paying $25,000 in cash would resolve the issue. She was further instructed to withdraw the money, place it in a Wells Fargo envelope, and hand it over to a person posing as a bank security employee, who would collect the cash from her residence.

Believing the claims to be legitimate, the woman withdrew the money from her bank and handed over $25,000 to an individual who arrived at her home.

Shortly afterward, the scammers contacted her again and demanded an additional $30,000. At that point, the woman became suspicious and contacted police.

Following police instructions, she agreed to have the suspects return to her home to collect the second payment. Officers, who had been waiting inside the residence, arrested the two men when they arrived.

Investigators said the suspects later appeared in court and were released pending further court proceedings.

Riverside Township Police are urging residents to remain vigilant against similar scams and to contact law enforcement immediately if they receive suspicious calls demanding money or claiming to represent banks, government agencies, or law enforcement.

The case follows another fraud-related arrest involving a Bangladeshi national earlier this year. In February, police arrested Niamat Ullah, 31, a resident of Buffalo, New York, in connection with a spam-call scam. Authorities said he allegedly impersonated a member of the Norton Antivirus support team and threatened a victim into paying a large sum of money. Police recovered gold coins and more than $100,000 in cash from his vehicle. He faces multiple felony charges and was lodged at Tygart Valley Regional Jail, according to law enforcement.

DHAKA: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government has placed law enforcement and security agencies on high alert ahead of August 5 to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the country

“All necessary measures have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the country ahead of August 5,” he said while speaking to journalists at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat here.

The heightened security measures are part of routine precautionary steps taken in view of the significance of the day and prevailing security considerations, he said.

Ahmed said the Home Ministry has issued specific directives to police and other security agencies to strengthen vigilance and remain fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.

As part of the instructions, police vehicles have been directed not to remain unattended, while security personnel have been advised to maintain continuous vigilance to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and rapid response capability.

Ahmed said a high-level coordination meeting involving the government, law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders will be held to review the overall security situation and finalize necessary arrangements for August 5.

The minister also referred to the recent recovery of bomb-like objects in Motijheel and Ashulia, describing the incidents as attempts to create panic and disrupt social harmony.

He said a coordinated investigation is underway to identify those responsible and determine whether there are any links between the incidents.

Ahmed added that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the activities of banned organizations and certain groups operating from abroad.

Further details will be disclosed once the ongoing investigations are completed, he said.

Dhaka: Six senior officials from Bangladesh’s leading intelligence agencies are set to visit Washington, D.C., following an official invitation from the United States. The visit is scheduled to take place from April 10 to April 15. According to sources, the delegation includes two officials each from three major agencies: the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the National Security Intelligence (NSI), and the Special Branch (SB). They are expected to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral intelligence cooperation and enhance information sharing on internal and regional security matters. During the visit, discussions will focus on security collaboration, strategic coordination, and exchange of intelligence between the two countries.

The Special Branch representatives reportedly include an Additional Inspector General and a Special Superintendent of Police. However, the identities of officials from the other agencies have not been disclosed. The visit has been approved by Bangladesh’s new government, and analysts believe it could further deepen security ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

With its political activities banned under an amended anti-terrorism law, the Bangladesh Awami League’s only remaining path to resuming operations now lies in the courts, legal experts say. The 13th National Parliament on Wednesday approved the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, formalising an ordinance issued during the interim government’s tenure that allows authorities to prohibit activities of individuals or entities accused of involvement in terrorism.

Under the law, the government can ban organisational activities through a gazette notification, restrict public statements, and prohibit meetings, processions and campaigns across all platforms. While the Awami League as an entity has not been dissolved, the ban on its activities effectively sidelines it from political engagement.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Mamun Mahbub said the party still has a constitutional avenue to challenge the decision. “The Awami League has not been banned as a party, only its activities,” he said. If it wants to return, it must file a writ petition in the High Court. He added that the court could examine whether the restrictions are legally justified and consistent with constitutional provisions.

The ban has sparked debate among legal experts, particularly over its compatibility with Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association.Human rights lawyer Manzil Morshed said such restrictions may not withstand judicial scrutiny unless clearly justified. Citizens have a fundamental right to organise. If this law is challenged, the court will assess whether that right has been unlawfully curtailed, he said.

He argued that only organisations engaged in activities threatening state security or public order can be legally banned, and any broader restriction could be struck down.

The amendment empowers the government to declare any individual or organisation involved in terrorist activities as banned, either by listing them in an official schedule or by prohibiting all activities. It also restricts any form of communication or mobilisation in support of such entities, including through media and social platforms.

The ordinance was originally issued in May 2025 under presidential powers when Parliament was not in session and has now been enacted into law without changes. Analysts say the issue now shifts from the political arena to the judiciary.

With the law in force, the Awami League’s ability to operate depends largely on whether it chooses to challenge the ban – and how the courts interpret constitutional safeguards against state restrictions. For now, the High Court stands as the final avenue for the party to seek restoration of its political activities.

A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to former Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in an attempted murder case linked to the 2024 July uprising. haka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain passed the order on Tk 50,000 on bond considering her illness and gender, said Public Prosecutor M Omar Faruq Faruqi.

There is no legal bar to the release of the former Speaker as she has not been shown arrested in any other cases, said court sources. A Dhaka court on April 7 sent her to jail in the case following her arrest the same day.

According to the case statement, Ashraful alias Fahim suffered bullet injuries to his left eye in the Azampur Bus Stand area of Uttara on July 18, 2024 during the mass uprising, which ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

Later, he filed a case against 25 named individuals, including Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and 120 unnamed ones. Following the fall of the Awami League government, she resigned on September 2, 2024.

Abdul Hamid was elected Speaker after the Awami League came to power through the 2008 general election. Following his election as President, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was elected Speaker on April 30, 2013. Since then, she had been serving as Speaker until the government’s fall. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was a Member of Parliament from Rangpur-6 constituency.