A Dhaka court has set 21 January for the charge-framing hearing in a sedition case filed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 other individuals.
The hearing was originally set for 4 January, and on that day, one of the accused, Anisuzzaman, appeared before the court. However, Judge Md Abdus Salam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-9 rescheduled the session after the defence sought more time.
The case was filed over allegations that the accused took part in anti-state activities and plotted to overthrow the interim government by attending a Zoom meeting of the so-called “Joy Bangla Brigade.” Out of the total 286 accused, 258 remain absconding so far.
On 4 October, 2025, the court ordered the publication of notices in newspapers, directing the fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina, to appear before the court.
Besides Sheikh Hasina, the case names several high-profile individuals, including former MP Sabina Akhter Tuhin, US Awami League Vice-President Dr Rabbi Alam, Joy Bangla Brigade member Kabirul Islam, Adv Kamrul Islam, Elahi Newaz Masum, Zakir Hossain Jiku, Prof. Taheruzzaman, AKM Akhtaruzzaman, Ajida Parveen Pakhi, Adv AFM Didarul Islam, Maksudur Rahman, former MPs Syeda Rubina Akter and Pankaj Nath, Laila Banu, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, Ritu Akter, Nurunnabi Nibir, Sabina Begum, and Shariful Islam Ramzan.
According to the case statement, a virtual meeting titled “Joy Bangla Brigade” was held on 19 December, 2024, during which participants allegedly pledged to wage a civil war to reinstate fugitive Sheikh Hasina as prime minister. A total of 577 individuals joined the Zoom session from inside and outside the country, committing to follow her directives.
The CID investigation revealed that the meeting, hosted by US Awami League leader Dr Rabbi Alam, involved discussions aimed at resisting the lawful government and inciting rebellion against the state.
Following approval from the Home Ministry, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque lodged the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others on 27 March, 2025. He was later assigned to investigate the case under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
After completing the investigation, the CID submitted a charge sheet on 14 August against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants for all accused.
