Latif Siddique appears in court with brother Kader Siddiqui

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique appeared in court on Sunday (16 November) in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act filed by Shahbagh Police.

He was accompanied by his younger brother, Kader Siddique Bir Uttam, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League.

The hearing at Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonayed’s court was scheduled for submission of the investigation report. However, the investigating officer, SI Taufiq Hasan of Shahbagh Police, could not submit it.

The next date for report submission is set for 30 December, according to SI Jinnat Ali of the prosecution.

Latif Siddique, 86, who suffers from multiple illnesses, appeared through his lawyer Rezaul Karim Hiron, with the court approving the request. Hiron told reporters that Siddique, being elderly and unwell, will no longer need to appear in person.

Earlier, Siddique and 15 others, including journalist Panna, were arrested on 28 August from a Dhaka Reporters’ Unity programme under the Anti-Terrorism Act. On 6 November, the High Court granted them interim bail, which was later upheld by a three-judge appellate bench, leading to their release.