The hearing for the framing of charges in the sedition case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and a total of 286 others will be held on 5 January.
Judge Md Abdus Salam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-9 scheduled the date for the hearing on Monday. Initially. the hearing had been scheduled for Monday; however, defence requested more time, which the court granted. The matter was confirmed by state counsel Saifullah Al Mamun.
According to case documents, on 19 December 2024, a platform called “Joy Bangla Brigade” was formed in an online meeting, and a commitment was made to bring Sheikh Hasina, who is staying abroad, back to power through civil war. A total of 577 people from various countries joined the meeting held on Zoom. pledging to follow Sheikh Hasina’s directives.
The investigation report on the meeting, hosted by Dr Rabbi Alam, revealed that participants spoke about not allowing the interim government to work peacefully and declared their intention to oust the government. It also mentions that elements of seditious conspiracy were present in the statements made by participants.
Based on this, with the approval of the Home Ministry, Assistant Police Superintendent of CID Md Enamul Haque filed a case on 27 March earlier this year against Sheikh Hasina and 73 others.
Later, after completing the investigation, he submitted a charge sheet on 14 August against Sheikh Hasina and 286 others. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against all concerned.
Apart from Sheikh Hasina, other notable accused in the case include former MP and former leader of Jubo Mohila League, Sabina Akter Tuhin, Vice President of US Awami League Rabbi Alam, Joy Bangla Brigade member Kabirul Islam, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Elahi Newaz Masum, Zakir Hossain Ziku, Taheruzzaman, AKM Aktaruzzaman, Azida Parveen Pakhi, Advocate AFM Didarul Islam, Maksudur Rahman, former MP Syeda Rubina Akter, former MP Pankaj Nath, Laila Banu, Chhatra League Central President Saddam Hossain, and several others.
