Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique on Friday refused to seek bail, saying the “court had no power to grant him relief.”
Standing in the dock, he told his lawyer Saiful Islam Saif: “The court has no power to grant bail, why should I seek it? I will not sign the power of attorney; I will not seek bail.”
A Dhaka court sent the former minister and 15 others to jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Shahbagh police station.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the order in the morning.
The other accused are: Md Abdullah Al Amin, 73, Sheikh Hoilafizur Rahman Karzon, 55, Manjurul Alam, 49, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, 72, Golam Mostafa, 81, Md Mohiul Islam alias Babu, 64, Md Zakir Hossain, 74, Md Tawsiful Bari Khan, 72, Md Amir Hossain Suman, 37, Md Al Amin, 40, Md Nazmul Ahsan, 35, Syed Shahed Hasan, 36, Md Shafiqul Islam Delwar, 64, Dewan Mohammad Ali, 50, and Md Abdullahil Kaiyum, 61.
Earlier in the morning, investigation officer Sub-Inspector Toufiq Hasan filed a petition to keep Siddique and the others in jail in the case.
At 9:50am, police produced them before the court and kept them in the CMM lock-up. Around 10:30am, they were brought to the courtroom in handcuffs, helmets, and bulletproof vests.
Inside the dock, Siddique appeared calm — smiling, drinking water, and occasionally resting his hand on his face. At one point, Professor Karzon told police: “This is unbearable, take off the bulletproof vest.” Police then removed their jackets.
With the court’s permission, lawyers later sought the accused’s signatures. Most complied, except Siddique, who repeatedly refused.
Advocate Saiful Islam told journalists that every time he tried to get Siddique’s signature, the former minister reiterated that there was no reason to apply since the court lacked authority to grant bail.
Meanwhile, defence lawyers including Farzana Yeasmin Rakhi applied for bail on behalf of the other accused, which was opposed by state prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon. After hearing both sides, the court ordered all 16 to be sent to jail.
While being taken to prison, journalists asked Siddique if he had anything to say. He shook his head, signaling he would remain silent.