Writ challenges Latif’s JS membership
A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of keeping sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique’s parliamentary membership in force.
The SC lawyer also sought a High Court order, asking the government and the chief election commissioner (CEC) to explain why they should not be directed to declare the parliamentary membership of Sidduque vacant.
In the petition, Eunus Ali Akond prayed to the HC to issue a rule upon the government and CEC to show cause as to why their inaction to cancel Latif’s seat should not be declared illegal.
Latif was sent to jail on Tuesday on his surrender to Dhanmondi Police Station in a case filed against him for his derogatory comments on hajj and Tablighi Jamaat.
The cabinet secretary, secretary to the parliament, law secretary, CEC and Latif Siddique have been made respondents to the ruling.
The HC is likely to hear the petition on Sunday, Eunus told The Daily Star after filing the petition.
On Tuesday, the SC lawyer sent a legal notice to the Speaker and CEC for declaring Latif’s JS seat vacant in 24 hours.
Eunus, in his notice, said Latif was removed from the position of minister and Awami League after his derogatory comment about hajj and Tablighi Jamaat. Now he is neither a member of a political party nor a member of the parliament and an independent candidate, he said.
"So, his seat should be declared vacant,” the SC lawyer said.
On October 24, he lost his primary membership in the AL, marking an end to Latif's five-decade-long association with the party.
WHAT LATIF ACTUALLY SAID
At the September 28 programme in the USA, Latif said, “During Hajj, so much manpower is wasted. More than 20 lakh people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. They have no work, no production and are offering only deduction.”
He added some 20 lakh Tablighi Jamaat people get together annually. They do not do any work, except for halting traffic movement in the whole country.
He also reportedly made critical comments about Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the prime minister's son.
Comments