Bangladesh: Another Awami League leader sent to jail in murder case

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Dhaka, June 4 (IANS) A Bangladeshi court has sent former MP and Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to jail in connection with a murder case linked to a shooting incident during the July 2024 demonstrations in Dhaka’s Uttara, local media reported.

Confirming the development, Sub-Inspector Md Shamim of the prosecution division said that Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain issued the order on Wednesday following a petition from the investigating officer.

Rahman was arrested late Tuesday from a residence in Sector 11 under Uttara West Police Station and subsequently produced before court by investigating officer Shahin Mahmud, who sought his custody for interrogation, as reported by leading Bangladeshi daily The Dhaka Tribune.

The case record reportedly indicated that an individual named Asadullah was shot in Sector 7 of Uttara on July 19, 2024, during the protests.

Following the incident, a general diary was lodged by his wife at Turag Police Station. His family identified his body at the mortuary of Dhaka Medical College Hospital on August 11, 2024, and filed a murder case in connection with the incident.

The development comes amid an escalating crackdown on the Awami League that began during the eighteen-month tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and has continued under the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) administration.

Last month, the Awami League expressed grave concern over the credibility of cases linked to July 2024 protests, alleging that several of them were “false and manipulated”.

According to the party, what was expected to be a process aimed at ensuring justice and accountability has, in several instances, allegedly been used as a “tool for personal revenge, financial gain, and framing political or personal rivals.”

Citing information related to the investigations, the Awami League stated that a large number of the cases reviewed so far lacked credible evidence to support the allegations, prompting investigators to recommend the dismissal of charges against many accused.

“This has raised serious questions about how many of the cases linked to such a significant historical event were genuine and how many may have been politically or personally motivated,” it added.

Referring to data from the PBI headquarters, the party said that as of April 22 this year, the agency had been assigned responsibility for investigating 195 cases connected to the July 2024 protests.

“Investigations found no evidence in 24 of those cases. Plaintiffs also withdrew another 20 cases, most of which were reportedly false. Additionally, seven cases were withdrawn because the same incident had been filed twice, and in one case, the plaintiff failed to appear in court. Altogether, the PBI has submitted investigation reports on 52 cases deemed unproven or otherwise invalid,” the Awami League noted.

–IANS

scor/sd/

Related Posts

Dalwai defends Rahul Gandhi; dismisses BJP switch speculation around Shakeel Ahmad

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Husain Dalwai on Tuesday condemned any threat or attack on individuals for expressing political views, while strongly disagreeing with former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad’s remarks against senior party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Responding to Shakeel Ahmad’s reported fear of an attack on his residence following his critical statements against the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Dalwai said that resorting to intimidation or violence is unacceptable in a democracy.

“Attacking someone in this way is wrong,” he told IANS, emphasising that political disagreement should be addressed through dialogue and debate.

However, Dalwai took strong exception to the language used by Shakeel Ahmad against the Congress leadership. “You can discuss Rahul Gandhi’s politics. You can even meet him and talk to him. But to say that Rahul Gandhi is a coward is incorrect,” Dalwai told IANS.

He asserted that LoP Gandhi has consistently taken on the BJP head-on. “If there is anyone standing chest-out against the BJP, it is Rahul Gandhi,” he added.

Addressing speculation that Shakeel Ahmad could be considering a move to the BJP, Dalwai dismissed such claims outright. “No, he will definitely not join the BJP,” he said. “I know him well — he is a deeply secular and passionate individual. I don’t believe he would join the BJP.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has claimed that his life is under threat, days after he publicly described Rahul Gandhi as a “darpok (coward)” and an “insecure” politician.

Ahmad, a three-time MLA and two-term MP from Bihar, had quit the Congress following the Bihar Assembly elections last year.

He alleged that he had been “secretly informed” by his former party colleagues that the Congress high command had allegedly issued directions to “carry out an attack” at his residences in Patna and Madhubani under the guise of protests and effigy burning.

The remarks come amid ongoing internal churn within the Congress, with dissenting voices and public criticism drawing attention ahead of key political developments. Party leaders have reiterated the need for internal discussions to remain respectful while maintaining unity against the BJP at the national level.

–IANS

sn/rad

Rajasthan Police issue advisory on cybercriminals’ new deceptive techniques

Jaipur, May 23 (IANS) The Rajasthan Police on Friday issued an advisory warning citizens about cybercriminals’ new deceptive techniques for hacking mobile devices and stealing sensitive information.

Under the directives of DGP, Cyber Crime, Hemant Priyadarshi, cyber commandos and cybersecurity experts at the Police Headquarters are actively working to raise public awareness and prevent online fraud.

A detailed advisory has been issued to educate citizens about a growing threat.

Mahesh Kumar, Cyber Commando at Police Headquarters, explained that the attack often uses a technique called ‘Steganography’, where malicious code is secretly embedded inside a photo, video, or audio file.

“This hidden data becomes active once the file is opened, allowing the attacker to forward messages and calls from your device, steal bank OTPs and withdraw money, download malicious APK files without your knowledge, gain complete control of your personal data and phone functions and many more,” Kumar said.

He shared that in many cases, cybercriminals send fake emails or SMS messages with enticing offers, lottery wins, or government scheme benefits. These messages contain links that lead to counterfeit websites – clones of banking sites, government portals, or e-commerce platforms. Once you input personal details like bank account numbers, passwords, or OTPs, the data is captured and used to siphon funds or commit identity theft.

“A new scam involves sending users a photo of a person with a message asking them to identify. If the recipient downloads the image, it activates malicious code that gives the hacker access to the user’s phone and social media accounts,” it said.

The police advisory asked users to turn off auto-download of media files in WhatsApp and other messaging apps, not open or download files or click links sent by unknown or suspicious contacts, avoid sharing personal information on unverified websites or through unfamiliar messages, update device software regularly and install reliable antivirus apps.

People should report cyber incidents immediately to their nearest police station or the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and protect their digital identity by following these essential precautions, it said.

–IANS

arc/svn

India’s Maharashtra model key to global water push: World Bank

Washington, March 19 (IANS) India’s water governance reforms, particularly in Maharashtra, could play a pivotal role in shaping how the world feeds 10 billion people sustainably, the World Bank said on Thursday, highlighting the state’s regulatory model as a global example.

In a new report, the World Bank added that smarter management of water in agriculture is essential to meeting future food demand while generating millions of jobs, and that India’s policy innovations offer lessons for water-stressed regions.

“The way we manage water for food will have profound implications for jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth,” Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank, said.

“By making smarter choices about where crops are grown, how water is allocated, and how trade supports food security, we can strengthen resilience, expand opportunity, and safeguard the resources which we all rely on.”

The report, Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet, flags growing imbalances in global water use, with regions like South Asia facing overextraction even as other parts of the world underutilise available resources.

The World Bank applauded Maharashtra’s efforts in this regard.

“India’s Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority is one of the few regulators that sets bulk water tariffs for irrigation in addition to domestic and industrial water tariffs,” it said.

The report says such regulatory frameworks are critical to improving efficiency, ensuring cost recovery, and attracting investment into irrigation systems.

“Current water use in agriculture can sustainably feed less than half the world’s population. Demand will rise sharply by 2050.”

The World Bank says expanding irrigation within sustainable limits could create about 245 million long-term jobs, adding that most of these jobs will be in developing countries.

“When investments in infrastructure and natural resources, business-enabling policies, and private capital mobilisation come together, the impact can be greater than the sum of its parts,” said Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Planet at the World Bank Group.

“By linking global evidence with country realities, this framework can help policymakers navigate trade-offs and adapt food production to today’s water and climate realities — delivering food, jobs, and resilience together.”

The report proposes a framework linking water, food production, and trade. It helps countries decide whether to expand irrigation, use water more efficiently, or rely on imports.

For India, the stakes are high.

Parts of South Asia are already overusing water. This threatens future farm output and food security.

The report calls for stronger institutions, better pricing of water, and greater private sector participation to improve efficiency.

It notes that farmers are willing to invest when supported by access to finance, technology, and markets.

Expanding and modernising irrigation systems globally will require an additional $24 billion to $70 billion annually through 2050, the report said.

Much of this could come from repurposing existing subsidies, as governments already spend about $490 billion a year on agriculture.

The World Bank plans to double its agribusiness financing to $9 billion annually by 2030 and mobilise another $5 billion per year to support small farmers.

Globally, current systems can sustainably feed only about 3.4 billion people, underscoring the urgency of reform.

By 2050, feeding nearly 10 billion people will require not just more production, but smarter use of water — an area where India’s Maharashtra model could offer a template for the world.

–IANS

lkj/khz