A Dhaka court today rejected the bail pleas of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and journalist Monjurul Alam Panna in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasib Ullah Pias passed the order after defence counsels submitted the pleas. Earlier, on August 29, a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court had sent 16 people, including Abdul Latif Siddique, to jail in the case.

The other accused are Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, Md Abdullah Al Amin, Qazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md Mohiul Islam Babu, Md Zakir Hossain, Md Tousiful Bari Khan, Md Amir Hossain Sumon, Md Al Amin, Md Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md Shafikul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Abdullahil Qaium.

The 16 were detained on August 28 after attending a discussion organised by Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. A group reportedly surrounded and heckled them, accusing them of being loyalists of the Awami League. Police later arrested them, accusing the group of plotting to topple the interim government.

MN/