Vandalism and arson incidents have increased in Bangladesh as elections approach. On Thursday alone, the central office of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, was vandalized and set on fire.

A group of people entered the office shouting slogans against the party after 1 pm on Thursday. The group set fire to some banners in the office, according to Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star. The son of Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman died in a stabbing attack on Thursday, while his wife was seriously injured. 

The atmosphere is deteriorating despite the government's goal of holding elections in February. The Awami League had announced a Dhaka bandh on Thursday. It has planned a nationwide protest program until Sunday. However, the government has banned political activities against the party. In such a situation, various pro-government political parties and groups have warned of protests against the political activities of the Awami League. 

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) is scheduled to deliver its verdict on November 17 in the case of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her two aides. The tribunal's presiding judge, Justice Mohammad Gholam Mazumder, has set the verdict date for November 17. 

Hasina has been charged with crimes against humanity for her role in suppressing the protests that began in July. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chaudhry Al Mamun are also accused of crimes against humanity.

Nearly 650 people were killed in police firing during anti-government protests in Bangladesh (July-August) 2024. Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 after the protests. Three days later, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus was formed to hold elections in Bangladesh. Since then, Hasina has been under investigation for planning, attempting to murder, torture and other inhumane acts.

Police have arrested several people on charges of involvement in the violent activities. The police have arrested suspects and started an investigation after crude bomb blasts and arson incidents occurred in different parts of the country on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The government has also increased patrols in various places. Along with the police, the army, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Security Force are also patrolling various areas. Traffic movement on Dhaka's roads remained relatively light on Thursday due to tight security. 

Police have arrested 552 people who were trying to incite the protests in the last one and a half months. There have been a series of explosions and arson incidents, especially since last Sunday. Protesters threw crude bombs at buildings and buses on Sunday and Monday. Last Sunday and Monday alone, 17 bombs were thrown and nine vehicles were set on fire, according to the Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star.