The Daily Star, March 27, 2025

A case has been filed against former prime minister and Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, along with 72 others, alleging them of sedition, and conspiring to wage a civil war and overthrow the incumbent government.

Among the accused is Rabbi Alam, the vice president of the United States Awami League, who has been named as the second defendant in the case. Additionally, 503 others who participated in an online meeting on a platform called "Joy Bangla Brigade" have also been implicated.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed the development in a press release today.

The case was filed following a detailed complaint from the CID, who claimed to have received intelligence about an online meeting held on December 19, 2024.

Jashim Uddin Khan, special superintendent of CID, told The Daily Star that the case was filed today with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court. Police have yet to arrest anyone in the case, he said.

According to the intelligence received by the CID, the meeting was organised on the online platform, where participants allegedly discussed plans to bring Sheikh Hasina back to power through a civil war.

The participants reportedly expressed their determination to fight until their last breath to reinstate Sheikh Hasina as prime minister

A total of 577 individuals, both from Bangladesh and abroad, reportedly attended the Zoom meeting, where they showed unwavering support for following all of Sheikh Hasina's directives," reads the CID press release.

The complaint also reveals that the online meeting hosted by Rabbi Alam involved discussions in which participants stated that they would not allow the legitimate government to peacefully govern the country.

Furthermore, the conversation during the meeting allegedly included a declaration of civil war as part of a broader plot to oust the current government.

Given these revelations, the Ministry of Home Affairs authorised the filing of the case, and the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court took cognisance of the matter, ordering the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate further, according to the release.

The case has been filed under the following sections of the Penal Code of 1860: Sections 121, 121A, 124A, and 34.