A Dhaka court on Tuesday deferred the charge-framing hearing in a sedition case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others until 30 September.
Dhaka 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury passed the order after the prosecution concluded its submissions. The defence sought the discharge of the accused and requested additional time to complete its arguments.
The court allowed the plea and fixed the date for the hearing.
According to court documents, 259 of the 286 accused, including Hasina, remain absconding and are being tried in absentia. On 14 October 2025, the court ordered notices to be published in newspapers directing the fugitives to appear before it.
Other prominent accused include former MP Sabina Akhter Tuhin, US Awami League Vice-President Dr Rabbi Alam, Joy Bangla Brigade member Kabirul Islam, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Elahi Newaz Masum, Zakir Hossain Jiku, Professor 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.
The case stems from allegations that the accused participated in anti-state activities and conspired to overthrow the interim government through a virtual meeting of the "Joy Bangla Brigade" held on Zoom on 19 December 2024, during which they allegedly vowed to wage a civil war to reinstall Hasina as prime minister.
Investigators said 577 people from Bangladesh and abroad joined the Zoom meeting and expressed their commitment to carrying out her directives.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleged that the meeting, hosted by Rabbi, included discussions aimed at resisting the lawful government and inciting rebellion against the state.
Following approval from the Home Ministry, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against 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.
After completing the investigation, the CID submitted a charge sheet on 14 August against 286 people, including Sheikh Hasina. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against all the accused.