Pioneer in short
Rahman to take oath on Tuesday
Tarique Rahman will be sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won 209 of 297 seats in the 13th parliamentary elections. Right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, while the Awami League was barred from contesting. Breaking tradition, the ceremony will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath. Earlier, lawmakers will be sworn in by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and will also take an oath as members of a Constitutional Reform Council. Rahman, 60, replaces interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who assumed office after mass protests toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Calling for “national unity” and rejecting “politics of vengeance,” Rahman said his priorities are economic recovery and good governance. The son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and late president Ziaur Rahman, he returned from 17 years in London exile two months ago and will hold public office for the first time.
Three Pak inmates Escape detention
In a serious security breach, three inmates - including two Pakistani nationals - escaped from the juvenile observation home in Ranbir Singh Pora near the International Border in Jammu after allegedly opening fire on policemen on sentry duty on Monday evening. Police had not issued an official statement till late night, but a high alert was sounded across the region to track down the fugitives. Two personnel - SPO Vinay Kumar and Head Constable Parveen Kumar - were injured in the incident. According to official sources, the escape took place around 5.30 pm when the inmates assaulted the guards and fled from the R S Pura Juvenile Observation Home.
Rajpal Yadav gets Interim Relief
In a relief to actor Rajpal Yadav, the Delhi High Court has suspended his sentence in the cheque bounce cases until March 18, allowing him to be released from jail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma granted the interim suspension after noting that Yadav deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the account of complainant Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The court directed him to surrender his passport and not leave the country without permission. He must appear physically or virtually at the next hearing. Yadav had sought suspension citing a family wedding on February 19. The proceedings arose from revision petitions by Yadav and his wife challenging a 2019 sessions court order upholding their conviction in 2018. The magisterial court had sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment. In June 2024, the high court had temporarily suspended his conviction, asking Yadav to explore an amicable settlement with the complainant.
