Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique has been exempted from personal appearance in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, his lawyer submitted an application before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana’s court seeking permission for representation through counsel. After the hearing, the court granted the request, allowing Siddique to be represented by his lawyer. The court also scheduled July 24 as the next date for submission of the investigation report, as the investigating officer failed to present it on the scheduled day.

According to the case details, the charges stem from an incident on August 28 of the previous year at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where a program organized by the group “Manch 71” was disrupted by a group of individuals. Police later detained 16 people, including Siddique and journalist Panna, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Siddique and Panna were later granted interim bail by the High Court, which was upheld by the Appellate Division.

Siddique’s lawyer confirmed that although the court accepted the exemption request, his client expressed willingness to continue attending court in person.