The apex court also stayed an observation of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 regarding convict former constable Md Sujon Miah. The prosecution on January 29, 2026, pleaded for a stay on the tribunal's observations, describing the sentences awarded to some convicts in the Chankharpul crimes against humanity case as lenient. The other two condemned convicts are former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam. The ICT-1 sentenced former assistant commissioner of DMP's Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul to six years' imprisonment. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict on the day it was delivered and said the prosecution would file an appeal.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday set February 25 for hearing an appeal filed by the ICT prosecution seeking enhancement of the sentences of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from imprisonment till death to death in a crimes against humanity case over the July Mass Uprising. Appellate Division Judge in Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque fixed the date, forwarding the matter to apex court full bench for hearing on that day. The tribunal sentenced both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to imprisonment till natural death for three counts of charge number one. It also found them guilty of three counts of charge number two and sentencedthem to death. The prosecution, however, filed a petition, pleading to enhance their sentences of imprisonment till natural death, awarded under charge number one, to death on eight grounds.

All scheduled banks across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday) on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum. Banks will remain closed for four consecutive days as the weekly holiday is included in this. The Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) of Bangladesh Bank announced this information in a notification on Sunday (February 1). All scheduled banks operating in the country will remain closed on those two days. Bangladesh Bank has sent instructions in this regard to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks in the country.

Faisal Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Karim Masud alias Rahul—the prime accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi—has given a confessional statement in court. He said that after two rounds of remand totaling nine days, Rubel was produced before the court on Saturday by the investigation officer, CID Police Assistant Superintendent Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan. CID, with the assistance of DB, arrested Rubel from the Ati Nayabazar area of South Keraniganj late on January 21. He was flown to Singapore for treatment two days later and died there on December 18. Following the shooting, on December 14, Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a case of attempted murder.

The Editors’ Council has expressed deep concern over the process and timing of the two draft ordinances recently published concerning the National Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission, which are available on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website. With the elections just around the corner, the Editors’ Council considers the hurried publication of such important draft ordinances—with far-reaching implications—to be unintended and unreasonable. Draft laws that directly affect media freedom, professional standards of journalism, and the future of the broadcasting system cannot be adopted without proper discussion and review, said a statement issued by the council on Sunday. According to the Editors’ Council, the structure and provisions of these draft ordinances raise clear concerns of state control rather than safeguarding media freedom. When it comes to ensuring media freedom and professional security, a transparent, participatory, and responsible process—not haste—is in the best interest of the country and democracy, said the council.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday expressed optimism that the upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, will be held in a fair and peaceful manner. The adviser also said voter turnout in the upcoming national election would exceed 55%, citing political consensus and past electoral participation. “I believe turnout in this election will be more than 55%,” he said, noting that voter turnout in the 1991 national election stood at 55%. Since the major parties are now in favour of the ‘Yes’ vote, I think it will pass quite easily,” he added. The program was chaired by DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, while DCAB General Secretary Abu Hena Imrul Kayes also spoke.

Prime Bank PLC, through its AML & CFT Division, successfully organized the “BAMLCO Conference 2026” on January 31 at the Marina Yasmin Chowdhury Hall of Aspiration, Prime Tower, Nikunja-2, Dhaka. The conference brought together 159 Branch Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers (BAMLCOs) from across the country along with 16 Divisional AML Compliance Officers (DAMLCOs) from the head office, reaffirming the bank’s strong commitment to global AML/CFT standards. The event was graced by Iqtiaruddin Md Mamun, head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), as chief guest. The conference was chaired by Hassan O Rashid, chief executive officer of Prime Bank PLC, and Md Ziaur Rahman, deputy managing director and chief AML compliance officer (CAMLCO), delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of continuous capacity building and strict regulatory compliance. As part of the program, Prime Bank recognized outstanding performers for their exemplary contributions to AML/CFT compliance during the 2025 fiscal year.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will campaign in Khulna and Jashore on Monday, following the completion of his electioneering in the northern region. Tarique will leave Dhaka for Khulna by helicopter at 11:00am on Monday, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Tarique will then leave Khulna for Jashore by helicopter at 1:00pm, Sayrul said. He later addressed election rallies in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj. On January 25, he launched his Chattogram-region campaign and addressed rallies in Chattogram, Feni, Chauddagram of Cumilla, Suagazi, Daudkandi and Narayanganj.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday took cognisance of formal charges against former Jessore superintendent of police (SP) Anisur Rahman and eight others in a crimes against humanity case over the shooting of two Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders in a staged gunfight in Chaugachha, Jessore. The tribunal also issued arrest warrants against five of the accused and ordered three others to appear before it on February 16. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution, assisted by Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Mizanul Islam, Tarek Abdullah and others. According to the prosecution, the then SP Anisur Rahman later ordered subordinate police officers to shoot the two detainees in their legs. Apart from Anisur Rahman, arrest warrants have been issued against former Chaugachha police station officer-in-charge Mashiur Rahman, SI Mokhles, SI Jamal and SI Majedul.

Bangladesh Bank is preparing to impose stricter restrictions on mobile financial services (MFS) transactions in the run-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections. The maximum transaction limit may be set at Tk1,000 each time. “Before every national election, the Election Commission usually gives instructions to limit mobile financial service transactions. He said that stricter measures may be taken on mobile banking services during the election period if necessary. There is a maximum person-to-person (P2P) transaction limit of Tk50,000 per day, and a monthly transaction limit of Tk3 lakh.

Bangladesh Army has recovered 179 firearms and 1,941 rounds of ammunition during joint operations across the country ahead of the national election, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, also saw the detention of 1,774 people. The drives have been going on since the election schedule was announced on December 11, 2025 and continued until February 1, the ISPR added.

Road safety campaigners on Sunday urged major political parties to include a clear commitment to enact a separate and comprehensive Road Safety Law in their election manifestos ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The call came at a press conference organised by Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Road safety expert M Khalid Mahmud read out a written statement at the press conference. Although a draft Road Transport and Road Safety Act was finalised in 2016 it was not enacted at the time. The event was moderated by Kazi Borhan Uddin, Road Safety Project Manager at the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh.

He added that Bangladesh is preparing to hold similar negotiations with other countries, including the European Union, to ensure continued duty-free access for its products—particularly ready-made garments—to the EU market for the foreseeable future. We definitely hope to sign an FTA with the EU to expand our market,” the Chief Adviser said. She noted that an FTA would attract more European investment to Bangladesh, create jobs, and boost exports to advanced Western markets. Lopez pointed out that India is signing an FTA with the EU, while Vietnam already has such an agreement, allowing both middle-income countries preferential access to the European market. We want more European investment in Bangladesh,” he said.

Ananyo Ganguly, a student of the English Department at the University of Dhaka (DU), was found dead at his residence in the Kotchandpur municipality area of Jhenaidah on Saturday morning. Police said his body was recovered hanging from a ceiling fan. According to Kotchandpur Model Police Station, the incident is being treated as a suspected suicide based on preliminary information. OC Kabir Hossain from Kotchandpur Model Police Station said to Dhaka Tribune: “We recovered the body hanging from a ceiling fan inside the house. His sudden death has cast a pall of gloom over the DU campus, where teachers and fellow students described him as a highly talented and promising student.

A Dhaka court on Sunday imposed a travel ban on Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Azaz for his alleged involvement in irregularities and corruption. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Judge Md Sabbir Foyez passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said ACC public prosecutor Tariqul Islam. According to the petition, allegations against Mohammad Azaz are under investigation for various irregularities, corruption and acceptance of bribes through abuse of power. The ACC said that under section 22 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, Rule 8 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007 and section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a notice was issued to Azaz to appear before the commission and provide his statement. However, he did not appear at the ACC office.