Hasina declared fugitive
Staff Reporter :
The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court has declared former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 260 others as fugitives in the much-discussed sedition case linked to the so-called “Joy Bangla Brigade.”
Following a court directive, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) published official notices in two national dailies—The Daily Star and Amar Desh—on Friday (October 31).
According to court sources, the order was issued by Magistrate Ariful Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court No. 17 on October 30. The court instructed CID to publicly announce the fugitive status of the accused as per legal procedure.
The sedition case, registered as CR-Ramna No. 222/2025 under Sections 121, 121(a), and 124(a) of the Penal Code, was filed by the CID after obtaining authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The case accuses the defendants of engaging in conspiratorial activities aimed at overthrowing the lawful government of Bangladesh through the online platform “Joy Bangla Brigade.”
The CID, in its investigation, found evidence that the accused individuals were coordinating subversive operations both within the country and abroad using various digital platforms and social media channels.
Forensic analysis of digital data, communication logs, and online activity records was conducted to establish the network’s structure and objectives.
Upon completing the investigation, the CID submitted a charge sheet against 286 individuals, including the former prime minister.
The investigation was noted for being completed efficiently and professionally, utilising modern cyber-forensic tools to gather substantial digital evidence.
Following the court’s declaration, the CID has executed the order by publishing the fugitive notices in the designated newspapers. These notices serve as a formal step toward enabling further legal actions, including possible trial proceedings in absentia if the accused fail to surrender within the stipulated timeframe.
Officials said the case is now ready for the next phase of judicial proceedings. They emphasised that the CID continues to play a key role in supporting the interim government’s commitment to justice and accountability.
The “Joy Bangla Brigade” case has drawn wide public attention, as it involves allegations of high-level conspiracy against the state and the participation of several prominent figures of the previous political establishment.
The publication of the fugitive list marks a significant development in one of the most consequential sedition cases in recent years.