HC refuses bail to Latif Siddique

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

The court, however, issued a rule asking the Anti-Corruption Commission and the government to explain in four weeks why 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.

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, was also made accused in the case.

According to the case statement, Jahanara leased a piece of land -- 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.

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