A court here today adjourned till October 15 the hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others.

The hearing was scheduled to be held today at the Dhaka 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. However, acting Judge Minhaj Mosaddek deferred the proceedings as the regular judge was unavailable.

The case was filed over allegations of participating in anti-state activities and conspiring to overthrow the interim government through a virtual meeting of the "Joy Bangla Brigade" on Zoom.

Of the 286 accused, 259, including Sheikh Hasina, remain absconding and are being tried in absentia. On October 14, 2025, the court ordered publication of notices in newspapers directing the fugitives to appear before it.

Apart from Sheikh Hasina, other prominent accused include former MP Sabina Akhter Tuhin, US unit 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, banned 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 prime minister.

A total of 577 individuals from home and abroad reportedly joined the Zoom meeting and expressed commitment to follow her directives.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) found in its investigation 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.

Following approval from the Home Ministry, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others 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.