Former Minister Abdul Latif Siddique, accused in a case of hurting religious sentiment, suffered a cardiac arrest in jail custody on Saturday morning.

‘Latif Siddique suffered a cardiac arrest at 9.00 am at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMUH) and he was immediately taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment under the supervision of Professor Sajal Banerjee,’ Farman Ali, senior jail super of Dhaka Central Jail, told UNB.

Latif Siddique, an expelled Awami League stalwart, has been undergoing treatment at the BSMMUH as an accused since December 6 last year.

On November 25 last year, Latif Siddique was sent to jail following a court order in a criminal case of hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims through his disparaging remarks on Islam and Tablig Jamaat.

Siddique was also dropped from the cabinet and expelled from Awami League for his derogatory comments.