DHAKA: The office of State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain has strongly rejected reports circulating in various media outlets and on social media claiming that he has resigned or been instructed to resign, describing the reports as “completely false, baseless, and politically motivated.”

In a press statement issued on Sunday and signed by the minister’s press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, the office condemned the reports and urged the public not to be misled by what it described as deliberate misinformation.

The statement said that Minister Ishraq Hossain has been performing his duties with dedication and integrity. It also clarified that no instructions had been issued by the government’s senior leadership for him to step down and that there was no basis for such rumors. According to the statement, an interest-driven group is allegedly spreading fabricated information to achieve political objectives and create confusion among the public.

The statement also addressed an incident that took place on October 17 in Gandaria, within the minister’s parliamentary constituency, during a social resistance campaign against drugs. According to the minister’s office, he displayed his personal firearm in a lawful act of self-defense amid the situation that arose during the program. The statement noted that the minister had already explained his position regarding the incident. It further criticized reports linking the incident to his alleged resignation, calling such coverage misleading and contrary to journalistic ethics.

The press statement called on all media outlets and members of the public not to be influenced by what it described as misinformation. It also demanded that media outlets that had published the alleged resignation news withdraw their reports immediately. Otherwise, the statement warned, appropriate legal action could be taken against those responsible for spreading the misinformation. The minister’s office reiterated that reports of Ishraq Hossain’s resignation or an order directing him to resign are unfounded, according to the official statement.

Dhaka: A political controversy has emerged in Bangladesh following reports that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed State Minister Ishraque Hossain to resign from the cabinet. According to media reports, the reported directive came after controversy surrounding Ishraque Hossain’s participation in an anti-drug operation in Dhaka while carrying a firearm.

The issue reportedly came into focus following a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday. However, an official government confirmation and confirmation that a formal resignation has been submitted are necessary to establish the latest status of the matter. The reports have sparked discussion in Bangladesh’s political circles. Further clarification is expected if the government or the individuals concerned issue an official statement.

Chattogram: A Chattogram court has approved the withdrawal of a criminal case filed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 183 others after complainant Kofil Uddin informed the court that the dispute had been amicably resolved. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mohidul Islam passed the order on October 8, accepting the complainant’s petition to withdraw the case, which was filed on November 18, 2024.

Earlier, on July 13, 2026, Kofil Uddin told Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique that the dispute had been settled out of court. He also stated that he had no objection to the accused being discharged.

Kofil Uddin, son of late Jebol Hossain of Anowara, had filed the complaint alleging that he was injured by gunfire and explosions during clashes between protesters and Awami League activists in Chattogram’s New Market area on August 4, 2024.

Following a court order for an investigation, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Metro Inspector Syed Mohammad Ahsanul Islam submitted a report to the Chattogram court in March this year. The report accused 66 Awami League leaders and activists, including Hasina, in connection with attacks on protesters.

The PBI recommended discharging 26 accused, including former PBI chief Banaj Kumar Mazumder, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch chief Harun-or-Rashid and former Chattogram Metropolitan Police commissioner Saiful Islam, saying it had found no evidence of their involvement.

According to the report, evidence was found that Hasina, former road transport minister Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel had incited and directed efforts to suppress the student movement.

The investigating officer identified Kofil Uddin as a day labourer and said he had actively participated in the quota reform and anti-discrimination movement in the Kotwali area. Speaking to Journalists on Thursday, Kofil Uddin said he had actively participated in the July uprising and filed the case seeking justice.

However, he said he had experienced injustice and discrimination himself in the months following the uprising.

“I was targeted by the students who led the movement against the Awami League. I was beaten and even jailed on allegations that I was associated with the Jubo League and Chhatra League,” Kofil Uddin said. He claimed that although he had interacted with many people, including members of the Jubo League and Chhatra League, he had never held any position in either organisation.

“So, I withdrew the case. I found no benefit in continuing the case,” he said.

DHAKA — A court in Dhaka has ordered the detention of two people, including Al Nur Mohammad Ayash, president of the State Dialogue Forum, in a case filed over an attempt to erase a mural of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The other accused is Marzia Khandaker Rimi.

Police produced the two accused before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Tuesday after completing their remand. The investigating officer sought to keep them in custody until the investigation is completed, while their lawyers filed bail petitions. After hearing both sides, Metropolitan Magistrate Riyad Hasan rejected their bail applications and ordered that they be sent to jail.

On October 11, an additional chief metropolitan magistrate in Dhaka, Joshita Islam, had granted three days of remand for Ayash and two days for Rimi. The incident took place on October 10, when a group of young people allegedly attempted to erase Tagore’s mural on a wall outside the Shilpakala Academy. A confrontation reportedly broke out between the group and police after officers intervened to stop them.

A woman was seen applying black ink to the mural, according to the account of the incident. A police officer intervened to prevent her from doing so. Following the incident, Shahbagh Police Station Sub-Inspector Ziaul Haque filed a case alleging criminal conspiracy, the promotion of enmity between different groups, and hurting religious sentiments. The court’s decision to deny bail means the two accused will remain in jail while the investigation proceeds.