A Dhaka court has ordered former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others to jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh police station.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the order on Friday after rejecting their bail petition.

The accused include: Md Abdullah Al Amin, Sheikh Hoilafizur Rahman Karzon, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md Zakir Hossain, Md Tawsiful Bari Khan, Md Amir Hossain Suman, Md Al Amin, Md Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md Abdullahil Kaiyum.

Earlier in the day, Sub-Inspector Toufiq Hasan, investigation officer of the case, filed a petition seeking to keep them in jail, citing the need for further investigation. Defence lawyers submitted a bail plea, which was opposed by Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman on behalf of the state.

The case was filed by SI Md Amirul Islam of Shahbagh police station. According to the case statement, around 11am on Thursday, complainant Amirul Islam observed a gathering at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, where Latif Siddique was addressing a roundtable discussion under the banner of a newly launched platform, “Moncho 71.”

Police claimed that Latif Siddique made “conspiratorial comments” aimed at inciting people to destabilize the country through armed struggle and overthrow the interim government. His remarks reportedly prompted participants to surround others at the venue while chanting slogans against the Awami League, branding it as “fascist.”

The investigation officer argued that since verification of the accused’s identities and addresses is ongoing, their detention is necessary to ensure a fair investigation.

MN/