Dhaka, Aug 29 (V7N) – A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of 16 people, including former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

On Friday, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque issued the order after rejecting bail petitions.

The other accused are Dhaka University professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Curzon), Md. Abdullah Al Amin, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md. Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md. Zakir Hossain, Md. Toushiful Bari Khan, Md. Amir Hossain Sumon, Md. Al Amin, Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md. Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md. Abdullahil Qayyum.

Earlier in the day, they were produced before the court, where the case’s investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Toufiq Hasan of Shahbagh Police Station, applied for their detention in jail. The police argued that Siddiqui and others had engaged in a conspiracy to destabilize the country through armed struggle and overthrow the current interim government by delivering provocative speeches and inciting slogans.

The prosecution claimed that keeping them in jail was essential until their identities were fully verified and the investigation was complete. Police also indicated that they would later seek remand for extensive interrogation.

Defense lawyers, including Farzana Yasmin Rakhi, sought bail, but the plea was opposed by state lawyer Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail petitions and ordered them into custody.

The arrests took place Thursday night under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police detained Latif Siddiqui and others from the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), where they had attended a program under the banner of an organization called ‘Manch 71.’ During the event, Siddiqui was reportedly attacked by individuals identifying themselves as July fighters.

END/SMA/AJ