Report
Are court cases really declining, or are the files just moving?
The files piled up in the corridors of the courts seem like layers of time pressing down on people’s long wait for justice. A single case can involve an entire family, a property, or questions of freedom and justice. With the aim of easing that burden of waiting, the rate of case disposal increased in both divisions of the Supreme Court in 2026. In the first eight months of the year alone, the Appellate Division disposed of 11,136 cases, while the High Court Division disposed of 87,596. As the number of disposed cases exceeded the number of newly filed cases, the overall backlog also declined.
Bogura face verification racket: Passport photos, biometric data collected illegally
Hossain Ali was supposed to receive Tk 5,000 to Tk 7,000. He also needed the money. His wife, Amena Begum, is suffering from a brain tumour. They were supposed to go to India for treatment. Both husband and wife had obtained passports. But due to a lack of money, the trip ultimately did not happen.
FIFA ASEAN Cup kicks off, Bangladesh set for Malaysia Test tomorrow
A new name, a new stage and a new dream. A new sun seems to have risen over the footballing landscape of Southeast Asia. The FIFA ASEAN Cup kicked off for the first time today, with Laos and Brunei Darussalam facing each other at Hong Kong’s Mong Kok Stadium on September 24. Now Bangladesh stands at the threshold of that new chapter. Tomorrow, the red and green will make their tournament debut against Malaysia at Jakarta’s iconic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Schoolchildren's photos taken for face verification: Rises concern about data smuggle?
A secluded area. Bamboo groves and trees all around, with hardly any people in sight. The Karatoya River lies about half a kilometre to the east. A village is roughly half a kilometre to the south, while another is about a kilometre to the north. In between is a quiet path leading toward agricultural fields.
Years in trial—Where is the accountability for delays?
The law sets a deadline of 180 working days. In reality, it takes an average of nearly three years and seven months—around 1,370 days—to conclude a case of violence against women and children. That is roughly seven and a half times the statutory timeframe. Each case, on average, comes up for hearing 22 times. A study by the Bangladesh Supreme Court, based on an analysis of 4,040 cases heard by 46 Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals in 32 districts between January and June this year, paints this picture. The study also found that the conviction rate in these cases was just 3 percent.
Fuel prices heat up markets as load shedding darkens nights
A shopping bag in one hand and a household ledger in the other—but the numbers no longer add up. Every trip to the market brings another shock. Rice, eggs, milk, flour, vegetables—the daily essentials are steadily eating into household budgets. Now, a fresh blow has come from rising fuel prices. And the heat is no longer confined to filling stations; it is spreading through transport, production, markets and the cost of everyday life.
New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI: Where is the case headed?
The widely followed legal battle between The New York Times, OpenAI and Microsoft over whether news content can legally be used to train artificial intelligence models has entered a critical stage. After nearly three years of litigation, the case has recently taken several dramatic turns. On one hand, previously confidential court documents have come to light; on the other, the US government has formally sided with the two technology companies.
Student harassed at RU on suspicion ‘Shibir Spy’ in Chhatra Dal
A student at Rajshahi University (RU) was allegedly interrogated and harassed throughout the night at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall on suspicion of maintaining contact with Islami Chhatra Shibir while attempting to join the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
Marriage and divorce records to become accessible with a single click
Marriage marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. Divorce, on the other hand, can bring that chapter to an abrupt end. Both are deeply significant events in a person's life. Yet for years, official records of such events have largely remained confined to paper registers and handwritten documents.
Questions surrounding accounts controller(Land): ‘Preferred officials’ in audits, pressure on transfer
When questions arise about the conduct of those responsible for auditing government funds and detecting financial irregularities, the issue goes beyond the administrative decisions of a particular office. It raises fundamental questions about accountability for public money, transparency in the distribution of responsibilities and the use of administrative authority. Multiple allegations against Md Mashuk Billah Aref Khan, Controller of Accounts (Revenue) at the Controller of Accounts (Land) office, have now brought precisely such questions to the fore.