Crime and Justice
Anti-Corruption Case Filed Over Massive Procurement Scam in Western Railway

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 18 officials, including two former general managers of the Western Railway, over allegations of large-scale procurement irregularities worth more than Tk 21.8 million.
According to ACC findings, several items were purchased during the 2018–19 fiscal year at prices 15 to 33 times higher than market rates. For example, a padlock priced at Tk 173 was bought for Tk 5,590, a Tk 260 bucket for Tk 1,890, a Tk 65 whistle for Tk 415, and a Tk 98 broom for Tk 1,440.
The case was filed on Wednesday at the ACC’s Integrated District Office in Rajshahi by Deputy Assistant Director Md Rokonuzzaman. The accused include retired general managers Khondaker Shahidul Islam and Mojibur Rahman, along with 16 other railway officials.
Investigations revealed that four tenders involving 17 items were processed without verifying market prices. Only six firms out of 166 registered suppliers participated and were awarded the contracts.
An internal probe, led by Additional Secretary Dr. Bhuban Chandra Biswas of the Ministry of Railways, found clear evidence of collusion between procurement committees, approving officers, and contractors.
The ACC said that despite having the authority to reject or reissue the tenders, approving officials went ahead with the inflated contracts, leading to significant embezzlement of public funds.
Crime and Justice
Woman Attempts Suicide by Setting Herself on Fire in Jhenaidah, Husband Also Burned

A woman in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa upazila attempted suicide by setting herself on fire, leaving both her and her husband severely injured. The incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday (14 October) in Charbakhurbar village.
Police and local sources said the woman, identified as 24-year-old Mahima Khatun, poured kerosene on herself before setting it ablaze. Her husband, Ashik Mia—son of Alok Mia—sustained burns while trying to save her.
The couple was rescued by locals and taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex. Later, due to their critical condition, they were transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Dr. Shahnewaz, Medical Officer at Shailkupa Health Complex, said, “Both the husband and wife suffered burns on about 50 percent of their bodies. Their condition is critical.”
Crime and Justice
1 Dead, 10 Injured as Passenger Bus Falls into Ditch in Faridpur

At least one person was killed and ten others were injured when a passenger bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at Purbo Sadordi area on the Faridpur-Barishal highway when a Dhaka-bound “Euro Line” bus lost control while attempting to overtake a “Shyamoli Paribahan” bus, police said.
The deceased was identified as Shamsunnahar Begum (41), wife of Nazrul Islam from Kachua village, Uzirpur upazila of Barishal.
Rescue teams from the fire service, highway police, and local residents rushed to the scene and took the injured to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Bhanga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Rokibuzzaman said that during an overtaking attempt, the Euro Line bus was hit by the Shyamoli Paribahan bus, causing it to veer off the road. “Both buses have been recovered, and the Shyamoli Paribahan bus has been seized,” the OC added.
Traffic on both sides of the highway remained halted for a while following the incident but later resumed normally.
Crime and Justice
Land dispute turns deadly in Chuadanga: One killed, three injured

A man was killed and three others were seriously injured in a clash over a land dispute in Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred around 8:30 am in Gobindahuda village. The deceased was identified as Joynur, 53, son of late Jharu Mondol. The injured — his brother Khaja Ahmed (55), Zaher (51), and Ahmed’s son Dipu (17) — are currently undergoing treatment.
Police and locals said the long-standing dispute between the Nurul Haque Peshkar group and the Masud Billah Montu group turned violent when members of both sides confronted each other in the field, leading to attacks with sharp weapons.
Dr. Shapla Khatun, a physician at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, confirmed that Joynur died while undergoing treatment. One of the injured was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition.
Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir said the situation was now under control and that police operations were underway to arrest those involved.
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