Bangladesh’s High Court has upheld the death sentences of former police officials Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaqat Ali in the murder of retired Major Sinha Md Rashed Khan, describing Pradeep as the “mastermind” and principal planner of the killing. The 378-page verdict, delivered on 2 June, was uploaded to the Supreme Court website on 23 November.

The court observed that Pradeep was present at the scene and pressed his shoe-clad foot on Sinha’s chest and neck, ensuring his death—an allegation supported by witness testimonies and the post-mortem report. The court further noted that Liaqat Ali fired four shots at the unarmed victim in a premeditated manner, causing his death.

Stating that the trial court had correctly applied Section 302 of the Penal Code, the High Court upheld the earlier sentences: death for Pradeep and Liaqat, and life imprisonment for six others found guilty of conspiracy, aiding the crime, and sharing a common intention.

Major Sinha was shot dead at a police checkpoint in Shamlapur on 31 July 2020. The Cox’s Bazar court delivered the initial verdict on 31 January 2022. Following procedure, the death reference was sent to the High Court, while the convicts also filed appeals. With the High Court verdict now affirmed, the defence is expected to appeal to the Appellate Division once the certified copy is received.

Authorities in Meherpur have fined Nivalak Paints Bangladesh Ltd. Tk 200,000 for illegally producing paint. The penalty was imposed during a joint operation conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and RAB on Sunday afternoon.

Mamunul Hasan, Assistant Director of the Consumer Rights Directorate in Meherpur, said the factory had been producing paint without proper authorization for an extended period. During the raid, officials found evidence supporting the violation and imposed the fine accordingly.

The same operation also penalized two other establishments: Shahin Traders was fined Tk 15,000 for selling oil and gas without a valid license, while New Bengal Foods was fined Tk 5,000 for producing bakery items in an unhygienic environment.

RAB-12 Meherpur Company Commander Lt. Wahiduzzaman and Food Safety Officer Riaz Mahmud were also present during the operation,

Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) has detained a Bangladeshi passenger at the Benapole check post for carrying a large amount of foreign currency. The man, identified as Shafikul Islam, 46, was held on Friday morning after BGB personnel recovered 110,000 Saudi Riyals and 10,000 US dollars from his luggage. The seized currency is valued at approximately Tk 4.82 million.

According to officials, Shafikul Islam, son of Sirajul Islam from Harnath Ghosh Road in Dhaka’s Lalbagh area, arrived from India through the Benapole land port. During baggage scanning, the foreign currency — hidden using special techniques — was discovered. His passport number is E-00745663.

BGB sources said Shafikul had travelled to India a day earlier for business purposes. While staying at a hotel in Kolkata, he was handed the foreign currency by another Bangladeshi man named Litu, who instructed him to deliver it to an unidentified person upon returning to Bangladesh.

Lt Col Saifullah Siddiqui, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-49 in Jashore, confirmed the arrest, stating that the operation was carried out based on confidential information. The seized money has been deposited with the Benapole Customs seizure wing, and the detainee has been handed over to Benapole Port Police for further legal action.