Public notice issued for 261 fugitives in sedition case

Photo: Collected

A public notice has been issued naming 261 individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as fugitives in a sedition case and directing them to appear before the court on 11 November.

The notice, which contains the names and addresses of all accused, follows a recent directive from the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. On 14 October 2025, Magistrate Ariful Islam ordered the authorities concerned to publish the notice and summon the fugitives in connection with the case filed over alleged attempts to overthrow the current interim government and engage in anti-state activities.

Prominent figures among the accused include Dr Rabbi Alam, Kabirul Islam Akash, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Elahi Newaz Masum, Zakir Hossain Ziku, Pervej Khan Emon, Sohana Pervin Runa, Md Mahmudul Azad Ripon, and Hafizur Rahman Iqbal.

Earlier, the court accepted a police petition to show 25 of the 286 accused as arrested in the case, while directing the publication of notices for the remaining 261 who remain at large.

According to the case documents, the charges stem from an online meeting held on 19 December 2024, via the digital platform Zoom, where a group named “Joy Bangla Brigade” was allegedly formed.

Participants in the meeting reportedly pledged to restore Sheikh Hasina to the office of Prime Minister through armed resistance and vowed to continue their efforts “until the last breath.”

Investigators said that 577 participants from home and abroad joined the virtual meeting, expressing a collective commitment to follow all directives issued by Sheikh Hasina.