ACC arrests son of former PSC driver over Tk3.25cr illegal wealth
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday arrested Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, on charges of amassing illegal assets worth around Tk3.25 crore. His wife, Shahrin Akhter Shilpi, has been accused of possessing illegal assets worth Tk1.26 crore. Meanwhile, their son and former Chhatra League leader Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam has been accused of acquiring assets worth Tk3. In July 2024, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police arrested 17 people, including the former PSC chairman’s driver Abed Ali, in connection with the leakage of PSC question papers. Once working as a porter, Abed Ali later learned to drive and joined the PSC.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC
Court sets Jan 25 for further probe report in Hadi killing case
A Dhaka court set January 25 for submitting the further probe report in the case lodged over the sensational murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to submit the report on Tuesday. The court on January 15, 2026, directed the CID to carry out further investigation into the sensational murder of Hadi. The six fugitives include Foysal Karim Masud, his accomplice Alamgir Hossain, alleged mastermind and former ward councillor Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, Filips Scalp, Mukti Akter, and Jesmin Akter. According to the case statement, Foysal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, riding a motorcycle, opened fire on Hadi while he was travelling in a battery-run rickshaw on December 12, and then fled the scene.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC
Press secretary: Telling again, no uncertainty over election
We are telling you again - the election will be held on February 12, neither a day earlier nor a day later,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. “We are expecting a record turnout.”Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder echoed the view, saying those claiming uncertainty should clearly explain the grounds and logic behind such assertions. Referring to past elections, Press Secretary Alam said the overall situation is conducive to holding a credible vote. The press secretary said the government is placing high importance on the recovery of looted arms. Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad was also present at the briefing.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC
Padma Bridge draws Tk 3,000cr as toll since 2022 opening
3,000 crore as revenue from the users of the Padma Bridge since its June 25, 2022 opening, Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) said in a statement today. It said the bridge that connected 21 southwestern districts with the rest of the country was increasingly drawing various types of motorized traffic to fatten the government exchequer. “The Padma Bridge is not just an infrastructure. It said the state-of-the-art electronic toll collection (ETC) system was installed at both ends of the Padma Bridge at Mawa and Jajira points, which accelerated the toll collection process without long queues at the toll plaza. “The automatic toll collection through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards has made travel faster and easier,” the statement said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 14:09 UTC
July Uprising Memorial Museum will show path to nation: CA
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today inspected the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Gonobhaban. The Chief Adviser added: “We do not want there to be a need to build such a museum anywhere in the future. If our nation ever becomes perplexed for any reason, it will find its path in this museum”. Prof Yunus made the remarks this afternoon after inspecting the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Gonobhaban here, the residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. When a brutal act was happening, the Chief Adviser said, the youth and students stood up against it and resisted it.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 14:08 UTC
Court orders attachment of Jahangir’s properties, freezes wife’s bank account
The properties include 35 decimals of land in Noakhali and a 1,385 SQF flat in the capital’s Mirpur. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the orders, allowing two separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Kamrun Nahar, on the other hand, allegedly acquired assets worth Taka 6.80 crore beyond her known source of income. The ACC filed the case, which is under investigation, and noted that the movable assets in her name, including bank balances, may be transferred or altered. In the interest of a fair investigation, freezing of her movable assets is deemed necessary, the plea added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 13:48 UTC
FBCCI, Competition Commission hold view-exchange meeting to raise awareness
The meeting was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Competition Commission and FBCCI. Abdur Rahim Khan, while Chairman (Secretary) of the Bangladesh Competition Commission A H M Ahsan attended the programme as the chief guest, said a press release. At the beginning of the meeting, Assistant Director of the Competition Commission Nuruddin Jobayer delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the objectives of the Competition Act, 2012, and the roles and responsibilities of the Bangladesh Competition Commission. During the open discussion session, business leaders emphasised the need to enhance awareness of the Competition Act among grassroots-level business communities, particularly at the district level. Among others, members of the Bangladesh Competition Commission Dr. Md.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 13:10 UTC
Govt to consider proposals for procuring soybean oil, fertilizer
File photoDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – The government is likely to consider separate proposals for procuring 30,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer and more than 2.71 crore liters of soybean oil to meet the growing demand for the country. In this regard, the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase is set to meet tomorrow at the Bangladesh Secretariat and consider proposals for large-scale imports of refined soybean oil and urea fertilizer. Finance and Science and Technology Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed will chair the meeting to be held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room of Bangladesh Secretariat. In addition, a procurement proposal for consultancy services covering road infrastructure assessment, design, supervision, environmental and social management, and land acquisition services under Package No. SP (RHD)-02m of the “Bangladesh Road Safety” project is likely to be discussed.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 12:46 UTC
Jamaat chief pledges better education, tax cuts and social security if elected
The pledges were unveiled at the daylong Policy Summit 2026, held from 9am at the InterContinental Dhaka, where Shafiqur delivered the opening address. Shafiqur Rahman said 100 students would be given interest-free education loans each year to study at top global universities, including Harvard, MIT, Oxford and Cambridge, ensuring that talented students from poor families are not left behind. He announced plans for a “smart social security card” combining NID, TIN, health and social services. Jamaat also promised interest-free monthly loans of up to Tk 10,000 for up to two years for 500,000 young people until they secure jobs after graduation, alongside similar education loans for 100,000 students. Under a “First Thousand Days Programme”, maternal and child nutrition from pregnancy to age two would be brought under social protection.
Source:bd News24
January 20, 2026 12:42 UTC
Tk 71.98cr allocated for CCTV installation at risky polling stations ahead of election
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - The government has allocated Tk 719,828,000 for installing CCTV cameras at 21,946 very important and risky polling stations across the country ahead of the 13th national parliament election and referendum slated for February 12. Azad Majumder said that out of approximately 42,000 polling stations nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV coverage while cameras are installed in rest of the polling stations. Of the polling stations, 21,946 have been declared as more important and risky. Special allocation has been made from the Finance Ministry for installing CCTV cameras in the polling stations. The Deputy Press Secretary also said that 299 polling centers across the country currently lack electricity connections.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 12:40 UTC
76,580 Bangladeshi pilgrims registered for Hajj
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – A total of 76,580 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims so far have completed registration for the Hajj-2026 against the total 78,500 expected Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims, official said. “A total of 76,580 people including 72,344 under private management while 4,260 of government management have so far registered to perform Hajj in 2026 according to the Saudi government's Hajj roadmap,” he said. According to the Hajj Office, 72,344 Bangladeshi nationals will perform the Hajj under the private management and 4,565 people under the government management this year. Hajj pilgrims made initial and final registration through the e-Hajj system (www.hajj.gov.bd), Labbaik mobile app, Union Digital Center, Islamic Foundation's divisional, district and Baitul Mukarram offices and Ashkona Hajj office. A total three airlines will carry Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 12:18 UTC
Pay Commission report on fresh pay scale to be submitted tomorrow: Dr Salehuddin
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today informed that the Pay Commission, formed to frame a new salary structure for the government employees, is scheduled to submit its report before the Chief Adviser tomorrow. He noted that the verification and review process usually takes three to four months, indicating that the new pay structure would take some time to come into effect. He described the work of the current Pay Commission as an exceptional example, noting that its members consulted a wide range of stakeholders during the process. “The fact that the Chief Adviser himself will receive the Pay Commission report shows how much importance the government is attaching to this issue,” he said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 12:08 UTC
Finance Division issues order on delegation of financial powers
The Finance Division noted that delegation of financial powers was first introduced through operating budget-related orders in 1983 and 1985. Subsequently, broader financial powers were delegated in 1994, followed by revised orders in 2000 and 2004. It has been clarified that officials who have already been granted special financial powers through separate government orders will continue to exercise those powers. In cases requiring Finance Division concurrence, sanctions must be endorsed by the relevant wing of the Finance Division before being forwarded. The Finance Division stated that the order will take immediate effect from the date of issuance and remain in force until further notice.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 12:04 UTC
Last victim of Milestone School jet crash to be released from NIBPS tomorrow
Last victim of Milestone School jet crash to be released from NIBPS tomorrowFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - After six months of intensive treatment, the last surviving patient of the Milestone School and College fighter jet crash is set to be released from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS) tomorrow. Abdur Rahim, a student of Milestone School and College aged around 13-14 years, suffered critical burn injuries in the tragic incident that occurred at the institution's Uttara branch on July 21, 2025. "We will release the last victim of the Milestone School and College tragedy at around 12 pm tomorrow," Resident Surgeon of NIBPS Dr Shawon Bin Rahman told BSS today. With Rahim's discharge, a total of 36 injured patients from the incident will have been released from the burn institute following treatment. On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fighter jet crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College minutes after taking off at around 1 pm.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 11:43 UTC
DNCC issues guidelines for protecting tenants' rights & resolve disputes
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has issued special guidelines to protect the rights of the tenants in the capital and to resolve disputes between the landlords and the tenants. According to the new guidelines, house rent cannot be increased before two years under any circumstances. The 16-point guideline has been issued in light of the 'House Rent Control Act, 1991' signed by the Chief Revenue Officer of the DNCC. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz announced the new house rent guidelines for Dhaka at a press conference held at the DNCC Bhaban here today. According to the guidelines, tenants will have access to the house at any time.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 11:33 UTC