ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today set March 2 for holding a further hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others.
 
Acting Judge of Dhaka Special Judge Court-9, Robiul Islam, passed the order as the regular judge of the court, Md Abdus Salam, was on leave today.
 
The court on January 21 had set today for holding a further hearing on charge framing, allowing separate pleas from the defence in this connection.
 
The case was lodged over allegations of participating in anti-state activities and conspiring to overthrow the interim government by joining a Zoom meeting of the "Joy Bangla Brigade".
 
Of the 286 accused, 259, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, are still at large and are being tried in absentia. On October 14, 2025, the court ordered publication of notices in newspapers asking the fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina, to appear before the court.
 
Apart from Sheikh Hasina, the prominent accused include former MP Sabina Akhter Tuhin, Vice-President of US unit Awami League Dr Rabbi Alam, Joy Bangla Brigade member Kabirul Islam, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Elahi Newaz Masum, Zakir Hossain Jiku, Prof Taheruzzaman, AKM Akhtaruzzaman, Ajida Parveen Pakhi, Advocate AFM Didarul Islam, Maksudur Rahman, former MP Syeda Rubina Akter, former MP 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 December 19, 2024, where participants allegedly vowed to wage a civil war to reinstall fugitive Sheikh Hasina as the country's prime minister.
 
A total of 577 individuals at home and abroad joined the Zoom meeting, expressing their commitment to follow her directives.
 
The CID investigation found that the online meeting, hosted by US Awami League leader Dr Rabbi Alam, contained discussions aimed at resisting the lawful government and inciting rebellion against the state.
 
Upon receiving Home Ministry approval, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others with the court on March 27, 2025. Later, under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), he was assigned to investigate the case.
 
After completing the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against all the accused.