DHAKA: Latif Siddique’s wife Laila Siddique urged the government to take necessary steps within seven days to release her husband from jail.

Barrister Jotirmoy Barua, on behalf of Laila Siddique, sent a legal notice seeking release of Latif Siddique, who landed in jail for hurting religious sentiment.

Law secretary, home secretary, inspector general of police, inspector general of prison, Superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail and deputy jailer, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate were made defendants in the notice.

As per claims on the legal notice, cases, which were filed against him, required government approval. These cases are not valid as the plaintiffs did not do so. The article-35 (2) of the constitution does not allow many cases and punishments over same allegation.

Citing the reasons, Latif’s wife demanded her hasband’s release.

On November 11 last year, a Dhaka court sent sacked minster Abdul Latif Siddique to prison on charge of hurting religious sentiments.

He was removed from his post as telecoms minister and also from the ruling Awami League after derogatory remarks on hajj and Tablig Jamaat at a discussion in New York on September 28.

BDST: 1405 HRS, JAN 11, 2015