The court has fixed 9 February for the hearing in the treason case filed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 286 others.
The case alleges involvement in anti-state activities, including an attempt to topple the interim government during a Zoom meeting of the “Joy Bangla Brigade.”
Judge Abdus Salam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-9 announced the date on Wednesday after a partial hearing on framing the charges.
Court sources said 30 accused currently in prison attended the hearing, including five women and 25 men.
Their lawyers requested acquittal, while the prosecution, represented by Omar Faruq Faruki, argued for framing the charges.
As the hearing on acquittal applications for all defendants was not completed, the court adjourned the proceedings to 9 February.
The case was filed on 27 March last year by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque against 73 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.
Following investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 30 July naming 286 accused.
The court accepted the charge sheet on 14 August , issuing arrest warrants, followed by a travel ban on 11 September.
On 14 October, the remaining 256 absconding accused were ordered to appear through public notice. The case was transferred from the CMM court to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on 11 November for trial preparation.
According to the charge sheet, on 19 December, 2024, several hundred party leaders and activists, including Sheikh Hasina, participated in a Zoom meeting of the ‘Joy Bangla Brigade’ led by Rabbi Alam, vice president of the US Awami League.
During the session, Sheikh Hasina allegedly made anti-state statements and instructed participants to remove Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government. The remarks were widely circulated on social media.
