Judge Rabiul Hassan of the Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court fixed May 16 for framing charges against Alamgir and others.

Earlier, defence lawyers submitted the petitions to discharge the accused and made submission on the petitions. But the prosecution lawyers opposed the petitions and prayed for framing charges against the accused.

The other accused are former home secretary and incumbent election commissioner Shafiur Rahman, former students relationship officer in the education ministry Abu Alam Shahid Khan, former joint secretary in the women's affairs ministry Sirajuddin Ahmed, former assistant secretary in the establishment ministry Rabiul Alam Mohammad Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, former director of Narcotics Control Department Syed Bazlul Karim, former deputy inspector general of police Prokriti Ranjan Chanda (PR Chanda) and former president of the Secretariat Karmachari Sanjukta Parishad Syed Mohiuddin.

Mohammad Saifur Rahman, then officer-in-charge (OC) of Ramna Police Station, filed the sedition case with the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka on April 8, 2002, accusing Alamgir and six others.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) pressed charges against Alamgir and seven others on December 26, 2002, showing 15 people as prosecution witnesses.

The name of PR Chanda was not in the FIR (first information report) but the investigation officer included his name in the charge sheet as probe found his involvement.

In the case, it was alleged the accused had set up a people's dais (Janatar Mancha) in front of National Press Club in March 1996 and instigated the government officials and employees to join the agitation against the then BNP government.

All the accused except PR Chanda are on bail and attended the court yesterday.