Latif Siddique refuses bail, question court’s authority
Staff Reporter :
Former minister and senior politician Abdul Latif Siddique has refused to seek bail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, declaring that he would not request relief from a court he believes lacks the jurisdiction to grant it.
“Why would I seek bail from a court that has no authority? I will not sign the power of attorney (wakalatnama), nor will I apply for bail,” Siddique said in court on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Sub-Inspector Toufiq Hasan of Shahbag Police Station filed a petition to keep Siddique and 15 others in custody in connection with the case.
The accused were brought to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court premises at 9:50am under heavy security.
Wearing helmets and bulletproof jackets, they were handcuffed and placed in the defendants’ dock. At one point, Professor Hafizur Rahman asked police to remove the bulletproof vests due to discomfort, which was allowed.
Siddique appeared calm throughout the proceedings, occasionally smiling, sipping water, and resting his hand on his face.
At 10:55am, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque began the hearing. Defense lawyers, with the court’s permission, sought signatures from the accused to represent them legally.
While most agreed, Siddique firmly declined. When lawyer Saiful Islam Saif approached him, Siddique reiterated his refusal to sign, insisting the court lacked power to grant bail.
Defense counsel, including advocate Farzana Yeasmin Rakhi, argued for bail for the other accused, but state prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon opposed. After hearing both sides, the magistrate ordered all 16 accused to be sent to jail.
As Siddique was escorted back to prison, journalists asked if he wished to comment. He simply shook his head in silence.
Later, lawyer Saiful Islam Saif explained, “Each time I approached him, he repeated the same words: ‘Why should I seek bail from a court that has no authority? I will not sign the wakalatnama, and I will not seek bail.'”