Latif Siddiqui Arrested Over Shapla Chattar Crimes Case

Former textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui has been arrested in connection with a case alleging crimes against humanity arising from the violence surrounding a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, Dhaka.

The former minister was arrested from his residence in Gulshan at around 6pm on Wednesday, 29 July, by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Shafiqul Islam, additional commissioner of the DMP’s Detective Branch, said Siddiqui was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued in connection with the case before the International Crimes Tribunal.

The arrest came only hours after Siddiqui appeared before a court in connection with an anti-terrorism case filed at Shahbagh Police Station. Following the court appearance on Wednesday morning, the former minister told reporters that, if he was not arrested, he intended to surrender before the International Crimes Tribunal on the following Sunday or Monday.

The case in which Siddiqui was arrested relates to allegations of killings and crimes against humanity linked to the Hefazat-e-Islam gathering at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. The events surrounding the rally have remained a highly contentious issue in Bangladesh, with conflicting accounts over the scale of violence, the number of casualties and the actions of security forces and other groups involved.

The latest legal proceedings have brought renewed attention to the events and to the accountability of individuals alleged to have been involved. The case against Siddiqui is now set to proceed through the relevant legal process, with the allegations to be examined on the basis of evidence presented before the appropriate authorities and the tribunal.

Siddiqui’s arrest also followed his own public indication that he was prepared to face the tribunal. His statement after the morning court appearance suggested that he was aware of the legal proceedings and was willing to surrender if authorities did not arrest him beforehand. His subsequent arrest from his Gulshan residence, however, meant that he did not have to surrender voluntarily as he had indicated.

The former minister has had a long career in Bangladeshi politics and served in the government as minister for textiles and jute. His political career has also been marked by controversy, including disputes over his public statements and political positions.

The Shapla Chattar case is among several legal proceedings connected to political violence and major events of the past decade. The allegations in the case are serious and will now be subject to judicial scrutiny. The investigation and subsequent proceedings are expected to establish the specific allegations against each accused person and assess the evidence supporting them.

Siddiqui’s arrest does not, by itself, establish his guilt. The allegations against him must be proven through due legal process, and he remains entitled to the protections afforded to an accused person under the law. The next stages of the case will determine how the proceedings before the relevant court and tribunal develop.