Sedition case: Indictment hearing against Hasina, 285 others on 9 Feb

A Dhaka court has set 9 February for the next hearing on charge framing in a sedition case involving ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others over allegations of anti-state activities and attempts to overthrow the interim government. 

Judge Abdus Salam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 fixed the date after holding a partial hearing on charge framing against 20 of the accused today (21 January).

State prosecutor Ruhul Amin confirmed the matter, saying police produced 30 arrested accused before the court. "Charge framing hearings were held for 20 of them today. The court has scheduled 9 February for hearings on charge framing against the remaining accused," he said.

According to court sources, the case was filed on 27 March last year by Assistant Superintendent of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police Md Enamul Haque against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others on sedition charges. Following investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 30 July naming a total of 286 accused. The court accepted the charge sheet on 14 August and issued arrest warrants, while travel bans were imposed on the accused on 11 September.

On 14 October, the court ordered newspaper notices directing 261 fugitive accused, including Sheikh Hasina, to appear before it. Later, on 11 November, after the case was deemed ready for trial, it was transferred from the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court.

The allegations state that on 19 December 2024, Sheikh Hasina and several hundred party leaders and activists participated in a Zoom meeting of the "Joy Bangla Brigade," led by US Awami League Vice-President Dr Rabbi Alam. During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina allegedly made anti-state remarks and instructed her followers to overthrow interim government chief Muhammad Yunus. The statements were later circulated widely on social media across the country.