The Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, Dhaka, yesterday directed former state minister for planning Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and seven others, accused in sedition case (Janatar Mancha Case), to appear before it on March 15.

Judge Hossain Shahid Ahmad issued the order after the case was placed before him.

The Investigation Officer (IO) of the case submitted a charge sheet against Dr Alamgir and seven others on December 26 last year.

The seven others are former home secretary and incumbent election commissioner Shafiur Rahman, former director of Narcotics Control Department Syed Bazlul Karim, former students relationship officer in the Ministry of Education Abu Alam Shahid Khan, former Joint Secretary in the women's affairs ministry and incumbent member of the Public Service Commission Sirajuddin Ahmed, senior assistant secretary (now OSD in the establishment ministry) Rabiul Alam Mohammad Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, former DIG of police Prokriti Ranjan Chanda (PR Chanda) and former president of Secretariat Karmachari Sangjukta Parishad Syed Mohiuddin.

Mohammad Saifur Rahman, the officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramna thana filed the sedition case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka on April 8, 2001, accusing Dr Alamgir and six others.

Later, the IO of the case included the name of PR Chanda in the chargesheet as investigation revealed his involvement.

In the case, it has been alleged that the accused had erected a Janatar Mancha (People's dais) in front of the Jatiya Press Club in March 1996 and instigated the government officials and employees to join the agitation against the then BNP government.

Fifteen people were shown as prosecution witnesses in the chargesheet.

All the eight accused are now on bail.