Latif Siddiqui gets exemption from personal appearance in Anti-terrorism case

A Dhaka court has allowed the plea of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique for permanent exemption from personal appearance in the case filed with Shahbagh Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Judge Jewel Rana of the Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka issued this order after the hearing on Wednesday (May 13) morning. At the same time, the next hearing date was set for July 24.

During the hearing, Abdul Latif Siddique, who was present in the court, addressed the judge and said, "The judicial system cannot continue like this. An application was made through a lawyer six months ago. Today you gave the order. I will come to the court, I will appear. We like to come here, it has become a habit."

In response, the judge said, "That is your wish. Your application has been approved."

Latif Siddique's lawyer Golam Rabbani confirmed the matter. He said that a personal appearance waiver was applied for under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the court granted it. However, Latif Siddique told the court that he wanted to appear in person.

Earlier on November 16, Abdul Latif Siddique applied for exemption from court appearance through his lawyer. However, there was no hearing that day as the original documents were not available. Later, the court issued an order in this regard on Wednesday.

The application said that the case is under investigation and Latif Siddique is an elderly and sick person. He was asked to be exempted from personal appearance because he has mobility problems and is undergoing treatment.

Earlier on August 29, 16 people including Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Hafizur Rahman (Curzon), Md. Abdullah Al Amin were sent to jail in this case. Later on November 6, the High Court granted bail to Latif Siddique.

The case statement said that an organization called "Mancha 71" was launched on August 5 with the aim of preventing distortion of the history of the Liberation War. As part of this, a roundtable meeting was organized at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on August 28. During the event, a group of people entered the meeting venue shouting slogans and created a ruckus.

The complaint said that they tore banners and blocked and insulted some participants. Later, the police detained 16 people from the spot.

In this incident, a sub-inspector named Amirul Islam filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The other accused in the case are Md Abdullah Al Amin, 73, Manjurul Alam, 49, Qazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, 72, Golam Mostafa, 81, Md Mohiul Islam Babu, 64, Md Zakir Hossain, 74, Md Tousiful Bari Khan, 72, Md Amir Hossain Sumon, 37, Md Al Amin, 40, Md Nazmul Ahsan, 35, Syed Shahed Hasan, 36, Md Shafikul Islam Delwar, 64, Dewan Mohammad Ali, 50, and Abdullahil Qaium, 61.