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Dhaka Court Sentences 19 to Death For 2004 Attack On Sheikh Hasina

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Dhaka Court Sentences 19 to Death For 2004 Attack On Sheikh Hasina

In a swift move, a Dhaka court has pronounced death penalty to 19 persons, including two former ministers and sentenced a top opposition leader to life imprisonment for their role in 2004 attack on opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, who holds PM office at present.

According to reports, Justice Shahed Nuruddin of special tribunal said, “They shall be hanged by their neck”. Life imprisonment is also awarded to Tarique Rahman, the exiled son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is already languishing inside a Dhaka jail after her conviction in a corruption case.

The special tribunal’s order comes when country is poised for general election scheduled to be held by the end of the year.

According to Dhaka based The Daily Star, former State Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu and 17 others were sentenced to death while BNP leader Tarique Rahman and 19 others were awarded life term imprisonment for the grenade attack on Awami League rally on August 21, 2004. The deadly attack had left 24 dead and hundreds injured.

Dhaka Court Sentences 19 to Death For 2004 Attack On Sheikh Hasina

Meanwhile, former Inspector General of Police — Ashraful Huda and Shahudul Haque — were given a total of four years’ imprisonment and fined Taka 50,000.

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A total of 24 Awami League leaders and activists, including Mohila Awami League president Ivy Rahman, were killed and more than 300 others were injured in the deadly attack. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was the opposition leader in parliament at that time, narrowly escaped the attack.

The grenade attack was carried out during the tenure of the then BNP-Jamaat-led  coalition government which was considered to be aimed at assassinating Hasina. The attack was allegedly masterminded by some BNP leaders, the report said.

The erstwhile government had allegedly made efforts to bury the case and protect the people involved in the attack by derailing the investigation.

But fresh investigation into the cases found the involvement of the militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI), influential leaders of the BNP and Jamaat, and a band of senior officials of the home ministry.

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Earlier, wrapping up their arguments, the prosecution sought the highest punishment to all the accused, saying it has been able to prove all charges beyond reasonable doubt. However, defence counsels said the prosecution failed to produce evidence to prove the charges and sought acquittal of their clients.

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Bishnoi gang member Bhanu Rana, associate Venkatesh Garg arrested in US and Georgia

In a joint international operation, Indian agencies have arrested Bhanu Rana, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in the US, and his associate Venkatesh Garg in Georgia.

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Bishnoi gang

In a major breakthrough for Indian security agencies, two of the country’s most wanted gangsters—Bhanu Rana and Venkatesh Garg—have been arrested abroad. While officials from multiple security agencies, including the Haryana Police, apprehended Garg in Georgia, Rana, who is linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was arrested in the United States.

Garg involved in BSP leader’s murder case

According to officials, Venkatesh Garg, a resident of Narayangarh in Haryana, was wanted in over ten criminal cases across India. He had fled to Georgia after being accused of murdering a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader in Gurugram. Garg was allegedly recruiting youth from Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and nearby states to expand his criminal operations.
Investigations have revealed that Garg was operating an extortion syndicate along with gangster Kapil Sangwan, who is also believed to be abroad. In October, Delhi Police had arrested four shooters from Sangwan’s network for opening fire at a builder’s residence and farmhouse.

Bishnoi-linked Bhanu Rana arrested in US

Meanwhile, Bhanu Rana, originally from Karnal, has long been active in organized crime and was living in the US for several years. His name surfaced during the investigation into a grenade attack in Punjab.
Rana’s network allegedly extends across Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. Earlier this year, the Special Task Force (STF) in Karnal had arrested two men carrying hand grenades and pistols, who were reportedly acting on Rana’s instructions.

Both Rana and Garg are expected to be deported to India soon. Officials have indicated that more than two dozen major gangsters from India continue to operate overseas, running criminal syndicates and hiring local recruits.

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Trump calls PM Modi a great man, hints at India visit in 2026 amid ongoing trade talks

Donald Trump praised PM Modi and hinted at a possible India visit next year while addressing ongoing trade and energy discussions between the two nations.

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Modi and Trump

Former US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as “a great man” and “a friend”, while suggesting he may visit India next year to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a White House press briefing after unveiling a new plan to cut prices of weight loss drugs, Trump said his talks with PM Modi were “going great”. He added, “He (PM Modi) largely stopped buying from Russia. He is a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out; I will go… Prime Minister Modi is a great man, and I will be going.” When asked if the visit could take place in 2026, Trump responded, “It could be, yes.”

Trade negotiations and India’s energy stance

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing trade discussions between India and the US following Washington’s decision to impose additional tariffs, including a 25 per cent duty, over India’s continued imports of Russian oil. The move came months after reports suggested Trump had dropped plans to attend the Quad Summit following tariff tensions.

Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi, noting that he had spoken directly with PM Modi during Diwali celebrations at the Oval Office.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded to Trump’s comments, reiterating that New Delhi’s energy decisions are based on “national interests and consumer welfare.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India prioritises “stable prices and secured supplies through diversified sourcing” and noted ongoing efforts to deepen energy cooperation with the US.

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Zohran Mamdani creates history as New York’s first Indian-American Muslim mayor

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has made history by becoming the first Indian-American Muslim and youngest mayor of New York City in over 100 years.

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Zohran Mamdani

In a landmark political moment, Democrat Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the new mayor of New York City, marking multiple historic firsts. At 34, Mamdani will become the city’s youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim and Indian-American of South Asian heritage to hold the office.

Historic victory for a new generation

Mamdani’s win, achieved against heavyweight contenders like former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, represents a generational shift in New York politics. His progressive platform—focusing on affordable housing, public transport, and social equity—struck a chord with voters.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, on October 18, 1991, to Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, Zohran Mamdani spent his early years in Uganda and South Africa before moving to New York. A graduate of Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, he co-founded a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter during his university years.

The campaign and vision ahead

Mamdani’s grassroots campaign called for a rent freeze on stabilised units, universal childcare, tuition-free education, and fare-free buses. He also proposed building two lakh public housing units and city-run grocery stores. His plan to raise the minimum wage to $30 by 2030, funded through higher taxes on millionaires and corporations, drew both praise and criticism.

Despite facing ideological opposition and being branded as “too radical” by his rivals, Mamdani’s authenticity and mass connect drove one of the highest voter turnouts in five decades, with over 2 million ballots cast.

Now, as he prepares to assume office on January 1, the young leader faces the challenge of transforming his ambitious promises into policy amid scrutiny from conservatives and the business community alike.

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