Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday claimed that the environment for free, fair, and impartial election has yet to be established in the country, accusing the administration of favoring a particular political party. The council discussed the environment surrounding the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the party, complaints have been received from multiple areas alleging that some government officials are working in favor of a specific party. The council also said political leaders and activists continue to be killed openly in broad daylight in different regions. Jamaat-e-Islami called on the Election Commission, election officials, and law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with complete neutrality and urged the government to ensure law and order to facilitate free, fair, and impartial election.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday described Begum Khaleda Zia as the nation's undisputed and uncompromising leader who dedicated her life to the restoration of democracy. He said this while speaking at a memorial and dua mehfil for Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson at a hotel in the city. The new Bangladesh must be built on unity and love, not revenge or malice,” he added. Fakhrul reiterated his stance that Begum Khaleda Zia was the country’s first female freedom fighter, citing her 1971 arrest by Pakistani forces while her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was fighting on the front lines. He connected her struggle to the legacy of Ziaur Rahman, who he credited with introducing multi-party democracy and a free press to Bangladesh after 1975.

Meherun Runi and Sagar Sarowar. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) - A Dhaka court today set February 9 for filing the probe report in the case lodged over the sensational murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, extending the deadline for the 123rd time. The charge was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which failed to submit the probe report despite taking time for 111 times over the long 12 years. The government subsequently formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, through a Home Ministry’s notification. According to the notification, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was named the task force convener.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin today spoke at a press conference held at the Secretariat. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Secretariat here, marking the issuance of the ordinance. Bashir also said civil aviation authorities have been empowered to detect fake online bookings through digital systems and manual checks, with monitoring authority vested in the chairman of the civil aviation authority. At the press conference, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan read out a written statement detailing the provisions of the ordinance. She said the ordinance requires agencies to source tickets directly from airlines or authorised platforms, eliminating multiple mark-ups and preventing artificial seat shortages created through syndication.

Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July Uprising frontline fighter Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS)– The charge sheet in the sensational murder case of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July Uprising frontline fighter Sharif Osman bin Hadi will be submitted to the court on Wednesday, 26 days after the brutal killing. “The charge sheet in the murder of Sharif Osman bin Hadi will be submitted on January 7, 2026,” he said, adding that the case would be transferred to a speedy trial tribunal to ensure justice within the tenure of the interim government. According to police, Faisal Karim Masud and an accomplice opened fire on Hadi while he was riding in a motorcycle. After Hadi’s death, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddique Azad on December 20 ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case.

DHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – The Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested a drug dealer with 3,000 yaba tablets from the Jatrabari area of the city. The arrestee was identified as Md Ziabul Haque, 42, according to a press release issued by the media and public relations division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) here today. Acting on a tip-off, a DB team of the Gulshan division under the DMP conducted a raid in the Matuail area under Jatrabari Police Station at around 6:10 am today and arrested him with 3,000 yaba tablets. Ziabul, a member of an organised drug trafficking gang, has been collecting yaba tablets from different areas and selling those in various parts of the city for a long time. A case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act.

Dr Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, said on Monday that whether another fascist like ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina emerges in Bangladesh will be decided by the people through a referendum. In the next 50 years, another fascist like Sheikh Hasina could be created. You will decide—whether another fascist like Sheikh Hasina will emerge or not. The people of Bangladesh will decide,” Riaz said. Riaz also explained the difference between a referendum and a parliamentary election.

JU student expelled for one year, case to be filed over possession of foreign liquorFile PhotoJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have expelled a student for one academic year and ordered filing of a case against him after foreign liquor was recovered from his possession at a residential hall on the campus. The incident occurred on January 4, 2026, when 20 bottles of foreign liquor were seized from beneath a bed locker in Room No. He was found guilty of violating Clause 4(1) (C) of the Jahangirnagar University Students’ Disciplinary Ordinance, 2018, the order said. As per the order, the student has been expelled from the university for one academic year with immediate effect. The Deputy Registrar (Security-1) has also been instructed to take necessary steps to file a case against the student, it added.

The Election Commission will accept appeal on rejection and validation of the nomination papers of 13th Parliamentary Election from Monday. Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the aspirants whose nomination papers were rejected as well as any individual aggrieved with validation of any nomination paper, can appeal to the Commission. EC secretary said out of 2,568 nomination papers filed for the upcoming national elections, 1,842 candidacies were declared valid after scrutiny. Nomination papers of 723 individuals were cancelled due to various errors. Additionally, he said, three nomination papers filed in favour of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia were processed without scrutiny due to her demise.

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS)- Police today recovered bodies of two workers of a ship breaking yard from coastal area in Sitakunda Upazila. Fire Service officials recovered the bodies in the morning from a place near Kumira Ferry ghat. The deceased were identified as Saiful Islam and Abdul Khaleq, both hailing from Gaibandha district. According to police, they were employed at the KR Ship Recycling Yard in Kumira. Fire Service stated that Saiful’s body carries mark of injuries inflicted by sharp weapons.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS)—Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed his maiden five-for in recognized T20 cricket as Sylhet Titans thrashed Noakhali Express by six wickets in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game today at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Nasum grabbed his five wickets for just seven runs in four overs, including three wickets in four balls, to help the side, wrap up Noakhali for just 61 in 14.2 overs. Sylhet, however, lost four wickets but reached 62-4 for a victory in just 8.4 overs with opener Tawfique Khan hitting 18 ball-32. He not only stifled Noakhali but also took wickets at regular interval, ensuring they would never recover from the collapse. The victory put Sylhet in third spot behind Chattogram Royals and Rangpur Riders though they played six matches, two more than the top two teams.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – Tourists and a resort owner, who were held hostage by a gang of pirates in the Sundarbans, have been rescued in a joint operation conducted by the Coast Guard with support from the Navy, police, and RAB. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer of the Coast Guard, disclosed the information this morning. The pirates later released three tourists and the boatman but took two tourists and the Golkanon Resort owner to an undisclosed location in the Sundarbans, demanding ransom. Subsequently, at around 7 pm on Sunday (January 4), the two hostage tourists and the Golkanon Resort owner were safely rescued from the adjacent Gazi Fisheries area of the Sundarbans using drone surveillance. He added that the rescued tourists are being handed over to their families, while the arrested pirate associates are being transferred to the respective police stations.

The deadline for voter registration through the Postal Vote BD app will end at midnight. The registration started on Nov 19 to enable Bangladeshi expatriates and certain groups of citizens inside the country to vote in the parliamentary polls and referendum scheduled to be held on Feb 12. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Out of Country Voting System and Implementation (OCV-SDI) project, on Monday said the voter registration deadline ends at 11:59pm on Monday. Over 1.4 million people have registered via the app to vote in the general election until 3:30pm on Monday. The registered Bangladeshi voters included government officers, people who will be on election duty, Ansar members, and inmates.

The Promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026: An OverviewThe promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026 (Ordinance No. 01 of 2026) by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on January 1, 2026, represents a seminal transformation in the state’s approach to the adjudication of high-stakes business disputes.1 For a nation positioned as an emerging global economic hub, the intersection of commerce and the rule of law has historically been a site of significant friction. Section 2(ঘ) of the Ordinance provides an exhaustive list of 24 categories of disputes that qualify as “commercial”.12 This broad definition is essential for capturing the multifaceted nature of modern trade, ranging from traditional mercantile transactions to sophisticated digital services and natural resource management.12The 24 Functional Categories of Commercial DisputesThe Ordinance adopts a functional approach to jurisdiction, focusing on the nature of the transaction. Its success depends on implementation: the transition to an autonomous judiciary through the Supreme Court Secretariat provides the necessary foundation.27 If the state can successfully invest in digital infrastructure and specialized training for the bench and bar 9, the Commercial Courts will become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s post-LDC prosperity. Harper James, accessed January 3, 2026, https://harperjames.co.uk/article/what-is-summary-judgment-how-does-it-work/Motions to Dismiss and Moving for Summary Judgment | NYSBA, accessed January 3, 2026, https://nysba.org/events/motions-to-dismiss-and-moving-for-summary-judgment-best-practices/The Singapore International Commercial Court: Friend or Foe to International Arbitration?, accessed January 3, 2026, https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-blog/the-singapore-international-commercial-court-friend-or-foe-to-international-arbitration-in-singapore/UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, 2018, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/en/texts/mediation/modellaw/commercial_conciliationAnnex II UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/annex_ii.pdfDCCI Welcomes Commercial Court Ordinance, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/dcci-welcomes-commercial-court-ordinance-sees-it-boost-business-climate-1319456

Election Commissioner Brig. Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today spoke at a view-exchange meeting on the occasion of the 13th National Parliament Election on the Bandarban Police Lines premises. Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today said from now on everyone must be committed to conducting the next parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, in a fair manner. Addressing the officials, the Election Commissioner said, “Everyone must perform their duties with transparency, impartiality and firmness. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah arrived in Bandarban on a one-day visit.