Dhaka Court Sets July 14 Hearing on Sedition Charges Against Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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A Dhaka court has scheduled July 14 for the next hearing on framing charges in a sedition case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 286 others. The proceedings were set by Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court following a session on Wednesday.

The case originates from a March 27, 2025, complaint filed by Assistant Special Superintendent of Police Md. Enamul Haque of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According to the charge sheet, the allegations center on an online meeting of the “Joy Bangla Brigade” held on December 19, 2024, which was led by U.S. Awami League Vice President Dr. Rabbi Alam. Prosecutors allege that Sheikh Hasina participated in the meeting alongside several hundred supporters, during which she reportedly delivered anti-state rhetoric and issued directives to topple the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

CID records indicate that the meeting, which allegedly involved 577 participants, focused on forming the “Joy Bangla Brigade” to facilitate Sheikh Hasina’s return to power. Following an investigation, police filed a charge sheet against 286 individuals on July 30, 2025. The court subsequently issued arrest warrants for the accused on August 14 and, in October, ordered public notices for the 261 suspects who remained at large.

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The legal proceedings were transferred to the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in November to ensure an expedited trial. During Wednesday’s hearing, 26 defendants currently in custody—21 men and five women—were presented in court under heavy police security.

While the prosecution, led by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki, argued for the formal framing of charges, defense attorneys representing several accused individuals requested an adjournment. The court granted the request for a postponement, clearing the path for the hearing to resume in July.