Dhaka, Aug 30 (V7N) – A Dhaka court has ordered the detention of former Minister of Textiles and Jute Abdul Latif Siddique along with 15 others in connection with an anti-terrorism case. The suspects were sent to jail after the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Toufik Hasan of Shahbagh Police Station, requested their detention during the court hearing.
 
The case pertains to an incident that occurred last Thursday at a roundtable meeting organized by a platform named ‘Moncho 71’ at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, which caused a stir in the city. Following the event, police detained Latif Siddique and several others, including individuals linked to the controversial meeting.
 
The accused include Dhaka University Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Karzon), Mohammad Abdullah Al Amin, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Mohammad Mohiul Islam (Babu), Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Mohammad Toufiqul Bari Khan, Mohammad Amir Hossain Suman, Mohammad Al Amin, Mohammad Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Abdullahil Kayyum.
 
During the hearing, the investigating officer presented the suspects to the court and requested that they be kept in custody. The defense lawyers, however, filed bail applications on behalf of the accused. In response, Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman strongly opposed the bail petitions, arguing that the nature of the case necessitated their continued detention.
 
The court, after hearing the arguments from both sides, rejected the bail pleas and directed the accused to be sent to jail. The legal proceedings surrounding the case are ongoing, and further investigations are expected to follow.
 
The case stems from a report filed by Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam of Shahbagh Police Station, after the altercation during the event. The police are investigating the matter under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
 
Authorities have yet to provide details on the specific charges brought against the accused. However, the incident has raised concerns over public safety and political tensions in the capital.
 
The court’s decision to send Abdul Latif Siddique and others to jail marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the controversial roundtable meeting. The case, still under investigation, continues to draw attention due to the involvement of a high-profile political figure and several academics.
 
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