The case was filed against them for damaging a police van and disrupting law and order at Shyamoli Ring Road in the capital during hartal hours on December 21 last year.

After scrutinising the case docket (CD) and other relevant documents of the case, Metropolitan Magistrate Abdur Rouf Khan of the Speedy Trial Court-2 framed charges against them and fixed January 21 for trial of the case.

Other accused are Jalil's personal secretary Naimul Haq, 25, assistant personal secretary Abdul Barek, 28, Ershad Hossain, 25, Humayun Kabir, 27, Kabir Ahmed, 22, Sekendar Ali, 23, Jamal Uddin, 25, and Abul Hashem, alias Hasu, 30.

Dr Jalil and others pleaded not guilty and demanded justice before the court after the charges were read out to them.

Earlier on January 7, Sub-Inspector Golam Rasul, who is the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka, showing 37 people as prosecution witnesses.

Police also implicated around 1000 to 1200 others under the same act, but the IO did not mention their names in the charge sheet.

In the charge sheet, the IO stated that the charges brought against them were initially proved and they should be brought under trial.

Police arrested Dr Jalil and others from the spot during the incidents. Later, they were granted bail by the court.