HC refuses to grant Latif Siddique bail

The High Court today refused to grant bail to former textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddique in a corruption case filed on charge of misuse of power in selling a government property.

The court, however, issued a rule asking the Anti-Corruption Commission and government to explain in four weeks why Latif Siddique, who was sent to jail last month, should not be granted bail in this case.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam came up with the rule following a petition filed by the former minister seeking bail in the case.

Abdul Latif Siddique cannot walk out of jail following the HC order, Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik told The Daily Star.

Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun appeared for Latif Siddique while Advocate Md Omar Faruk represented the ACC.

ACC Assistant Director Aminul Islam lodged the case with Adamdighi Police Station in Bogura on October 10, 2017. Jahanara Rashid, wife of late Harunur Rashid in Kalitala of Adamdighi upazila, was also made accused in the case.

According to the case statement, Jahanara leased a piece of land in Adamdighi, owned by Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, for three years at Tk 1.2 lakh per year on May 13, 2010.

On November 13, 2011, Jahanara applied to the ministry for purchasing the land.

Later, then textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddique, without floating any formal tender, awarded the land to Jahanara at Tk 23.94 lakh although its market price was Tk 64.63 lakh, resulting in a loss of Tk 40.69 lakh.

Following the incident, the ACC filed the case against Latif and Jahanara under the Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 1947.

On June 20 this year, a Bogura court Latif Siddique to jail in the case rejecting his bail petition.

Latif Siddique recently filed the bail petition with the HC in connection with the case.