Injured protesters block Shahbagh demanding better treatment
Injured protesters from the Anti-discrimination Student Movement have blocked the road over medical treatment concernsInjured activists from the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, or BSMMU, have staged a road blockade at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, demanding better medical treatment. The protesters had clashed with the BSMMU authorities over treatment quality, Shahbagh Police Station chief Mohammad Khalid Mansur told bdnews24.com. "After receiving the news, Anti-discrimination Student Movement leader Sarjis Alam came to Shahbagh. On Nov 14, injured protesters had blocked a road outside the Pangu Hospital in Dhaka. The student movement, which began as a protest against the quota system, intensified into a government-overthrow movement in July 2024.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 17:36 UTC
People have more power than the govt: Yunus
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus says the power of the people is greater than that of the government and urged people to take action on the individual level instead of depending fully on the government to push the country forward. Yunus made the remarks while inaugurating the Walkathon and Social Service Conference organised by the Department of Social Services on the occasion of National Social Service Day-2025. The chief adviser reached the venue at Manik Mia Avenue adjacent to the National Parliament at 9:30am on Thursday. The chief adviser called for developing a habit of working for the public good in everyone’s daily lives. The event featured speeches by Sharmeen Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare, and three student representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 16:48 UTC
Bangladesh court denies bail to Chinmoy Das in sedition case
Bangladesh court denies bail to Chinmoy Das in sedition caseDhaka, Jan 2 (UNI) A Bangladesh court denied bail to former ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on charges of sedition, media reports said on Thursday. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Saiful Islam issued a bail order on Thursday, based on a December-filed bail petition by his lawyers. “The court denied the bail petition after the hearing concluded.”Chinmoy was not brought to court for the hearing. “If anyone is aggrieved, they can take the matter to the High Court.”“The court has denied the bail petition,” said Chinmoy’s lawyer Apurbo Bhattacharya. On December 3, another bail hearing was held, but when no lawyer stood to represent Chinmoy, the hearing was deferred to Jan 2.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 14:45 UTC
'Could create anarchy': What happened during bail hearing of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh court
Bangladesh Hindus Erupt: India Fumes As Dhaka Puts Priest Krishna Das Behind BarsA court in Bangladesh on Thursday once again denied bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in sedition case as the state argued that giving him relief "could create anarchy".Das, formerly with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), was arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25.“He faces serious charges like sedition and others involving the security and sovereignty of our country," public prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan told The Associated Press by phone. "We argued in the court that if he gets bail it could create anarchy as we saw in the past that he triggered violence on the court premises by calling thousands of his supporters to protest. So, we moved against his bail plea as we believed that he could misuse his bail,” he added.At the hearing, “the state objected to the bail, saying that it was a sedition case and the highest punishment was life in prison,” Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of the Chattogram District Bar Association, was quoted as saying by BDNews24.com.Meanwhile, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, lawyer representing Das, said that they would appeal the decision in high court.The judiciary had dismissed a previous bail petition when Das lacked legal representation. Lawyers who attempted to defend him during that session reported threats and intimidation, with several facing charges connected to a Muslim attorney's death during confrontations near the courthouse. These incidents occurred when Das made his initial appearance following his arrest in Dhaka in November.At the latest hearing on Thursday, eleven legal representatives journeyed from Dhaka under protective escort for both their arrival and departure.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 14:30 UTC
Arson, vandalism as unrest over BPL tickets continue
Then, on Monday, it was also announced that spectators could purchase tickets in person at the Swimming Complex booth next to the stadium. "We received word at 12:07pm that the BPL ticket counter at the Swimming Complex had been set on fire. The glass of the reception room outside the main gate of the Swimming Complex had been broken. They gathered in front of the counter of the Swimming Complex and kept shouting various slogans criticising the BCB. A short while later, only the Tk 500 tickets at the Club House and the Tk 2,000 tickets at the Grand Stand were available on the site.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 12:57 UTC
Job seekers eliminated from 43rd BCS gazette demand recruitment by Jan 15
As many as 222 ‘deprived’ aspirants who were eliminated from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service, or BCS have demanded a fresh gazette by Jan 5, and their appointments ensured by Jan 15. On Dec 26, 2023, the Public Service Commission recommended 2,163 candidates for 26 cadres, they said. However, a total of 222 candidates, including 168 mentioned in the second gazette published on Dec 30, were eliminated from the list. “As we have been dropped from the gazette, 222 of us, and our families who depend on us, became extremely frustrated and socially demeaned. However, despite being recommended and mentioned in the gazette, we have been dropped from the re-published gazette for some unknown reason.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 11:59 UTC
Bangladesh to hike VAT on goods, services amid IMF pressure
A press release from the NBR on Wednesday said that initially, 15 percent VAT had been proposed on 43 types of goods and services. These goods and services currently have VAT rates of 5 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively. The government has also taken the initiative to impose turnover tax based on the annual turnover of business establishments. Currently, turnover tax is only paid when the annual turnover is between Tk 5 million to Tk 30 million. The proposal imposes turnover tax on businesses that have turnovers from Tk 3 million to Tk 5 million as well.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 11:08 UTC
ACC to probe ‘graft’ in construction of Bangabandhu sculptures, murals
The corruption watchdog says it will also investigate ‘corruption’ allegations over the construction, renovation, and development of Mujib Killa storm sheltersThe Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to investigate allegations of corruption over the construction of sculptures and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman across the country. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain announced the decision to the media on Thursday. “A decision has been made to investigate allegations of waste and embezzlement of government funds by erecting unnecessary sculptures and murals of Bangabandhu across the county at a cost of billions of taka.”The corruption watchdog says it will also investigate ‘corruption’ allegations over the construction, renovation, and development of Mujib Killa - storm shelters set up in parts of the country in memory of Sheikh Mujib during the Awami League government. Akhtar said, “A decision has been taken to investigate allegations of embezzlement of thousands of billions of taka, overbilling, the failure of two-thirds of deep tube wells and various irregularities against the project director of the Mujib Killa construction, renovation and development project across the country.”
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 10:31 UTC
Bangladesh court again rejects bail of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das
Bangladesh court again rejects bail of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna DasA court in Bangladesh on Thursday denied bail to a Hindu priest and a former ISKCON leader in a sedition case. Chinmoy Krishna Das was not brought to court for the hearing and appeared virtually. Das, formerly with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25. Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, said they plan to appeal to the High Court for bail, it added. Now a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote organisation, Das' bail was rejected on November 26 by Chattogram's 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam in the sedition case.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 10:22 UTC
Chinmoy Krishna Das denied bail by Bangladesh court
DHAKA, Jan 2: A court in Bangladesh on Thursday denied bail to a Hindu priest and a former ISKCON leader in a sedition case. Chinmoy Krishna Das was not brought to court for the hearing and appeared virtually. Das, formerly with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25. Das’ lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, said they plan to appeal to the High Court for bail, it added. Now a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote organisation, Das’ bail was rejected on November 26 by Chattogram’s 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam in the sedition case.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 08:23 UTC
Chinmoy Krishna Das Denied Bail By Bangladesh Court
ETV Bharat / internationalChinmoy Krishna Das Denied Bail By Bangladesh CourtDhaka: A court in Bangladesh on Thursday denied bail to a Hindu priest and a former ISKCON leader in a sedition case. Chinmoy Krishna Das was not brought to court for the hearing and appeared virtually. Das, formerly with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25. “Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Saiful Islam rejected the bail plea after hearing arguments from both sides for around 30 minutes,” Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Advocate Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan told The Daily Star. Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, said they plan to appeal to the High Court for bail, it added.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 07:50 UTC
Bangladesh politics at a new turning point
This is also why the Anti-discrimination Student Movement wanted to take the initiative to announce the “July Declaration” and declare the 1972 Constitution and Awami League politics as “irrelevant”. Meanwhile, reform proposals were submitted by the majority of the political parties including the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami. The analysis of the dynamics of politics and the context of discussions among people suggest that the new year could be challenging for political parties in many ways. Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the National Citizens Committee, recently said multiple political parties will emerge in Bangladesh within the next two months. HM Ishaq, an Awami League supporter believes that this is actually increasing people's “sympathy” for the Awami League.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 23:16 UTC
Prepare for election without getting confused, Tarique tells people
The BNP leader advises party members to avoid being misled by rumoursPrepare for election without getting confused, Tarique tells peopleBNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged people to prepare mentally for elections and avoid confusion. The BNP leader pointed out that those who fear the people's court or have ulterior motives are the ones causing confusion about the election process. He also urged party leaders and activists not to be misled by rumours. “Do not engage in activities that could provide others the opportunity to spread false information, said Tarique. Tarique also urged the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to stay cautious and vigilant.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 17:16 UTC
Government appoints four more prosecutors to International Crimes Tribunal
Government appoints four more prosecutors to International Crimes TribunalThe interim government has appointed four additional prosecutors to the International Crimes Tribunal amid ongoing trials, including the cases involving the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs issued a notification on Wednesday, appointing Md Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Md Shahidul Islam Sarder, Faruk Ahammed, and Md Hasanul Banna. Among them, Sobhan will enjoy the position and benefits of additional attorney general, Shahidul and Faruk of deputy attorneys general. These appointments have been made under Section 7(1) of the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act, 1973, and will remain in place until further orders. Earlier, 11 legal counsels were appointed in three separate phases, with Md Tajul Islam appointed as chief prosecutor alongside five others on Sept 5, 2024.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 15:38 UTC
South Korea's presidential aides offer to resign amid political crisis
REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeonDemonstrators opposing the court's approval of an arrest warrant for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol protest outside his official residence in Seoul, South Korea, Dec 31, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeonSenior aides to South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol offered to resign en masse on Wednesday, a day after his office expressed regret over acting President Choi Sang-mok's approval of two new judges to a court set to decide Yoon's fate. The official said the senior secretaries have been assisting Choi since he took over as acting president. The aides' latest offer came a day after Choi's surprise approval to fill two vacancies on the Constitutional Court handling the impeachment trial against Yoon. Finance Minister Choi assumed the role of acting president on Friday after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Dec 14 when Yoon was suspended from power.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 15:26 UTC