Latif Siddiqui rejects bail application over distrust in court

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui declined to seek bail in a terrorism-related case, stating that he has no trust in the judiciary. His lawyer, Saiful Islam, who went to obtain his signature on a power of attorney to fight the case on his behalf, revealed that Siddiqui refused to sign, saying the court lacks the authority to grant bail.

The statement was made outside the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Dhaka on Friday, where Siddiqui and 16 others were produced following their arrests.

The accused include notable figures such as Dhaka University professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon, journalist Manjurul Alam Panna, and several others. They face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act filed by Shahbagh police station.

The court presented the accused in handcuffs, helmets, and bulletproof vests during the hearing at around 10:30 am. Siddiqui was seen standing in the dock, appearing calm and even smiling briefly.

At 10:55 am, Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque presided over the session. Defense lawyers, including Farzana Yasmin Rakhis, requested bail for the accused. However, the prosecution, led by Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman, opposed the bail petitions.

During the hearing, most accused signed the power of attorney, except Latif Siddiqui, who consistently refused. Lawyer Saiful Islam explained that Siddiqui insisted the court does not have the power to grant bail and thus did not want to seek it.

After hearing both sides, the court ordered all accused to be remanded to jail. While being escorted to prison, Siddiqui declined to comment to reporters.

According to the investigation, on 28 August at around 11 am, a group of individuals gathered at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium and allegedly chanted slogans against the Awami League, referring to them as “Awami fascists.” Siddiqui was reportedly delivering a speech at the event.

The case stems from activities of the organization “Moncho 71,” formed on 5 August to resist efforts to distort and erase the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. On 28 August, a roundtable meeting was organized by the group, which was attended by approximately 70-80 participants, including several of the accused, who were later taken into police custody.

The case is currently under investigation by SI Md. Amirul Islam of Shahbagh police station.