HC fines Sikder brothers, denies bail

The high court on Monday rejected the bail petitions of Sikder Group managing director (MD) Ron Haque Sikder and his brother Dipu Haque Sikder in a case filed over attempting to murder Exim Bank managing director (MD) Haider Ali Khan and the AMD of the bank over a loan request, reports UNB.

The bench of justice Md Ashraful Kamal rejected the bail petitions of the two brothers and asked them to provide 10,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the prime minister's relief and welfare fund within two weeks.

The HC also expressed dissatisfaction over the bail petitions of the two brothers as they filed petitions for anticipatory bail while staying in Thailand.

"Seeking an anticipatory bail upon surrender before the high court from Thailand virtually is unlawful," said the High Court.

Lawyers Abdul Baset Majumdar and Azmalul Haque QC stood for the two brothers while attorney general Mahbubey Alam represented the state.

On 19 July,the brothers filed separate petitions through their lawyers, seeking anticipatory bail in a case filed in connection with an attempt to murder Exim Bank MD Haider Ali Khan and the AMD of the bank over a loan request.

Both of them now are staying in Thailand.

On 19 May, Exim Bank filed a case against two directors of Sikder Group accusing them of abduction and attempting to kill its MD and AMD.

Lt col (retd) Sirajul Islam, a director of Exim Bank, filed the case at Gulshan police station.

According to case statement, Ron and Dipu kept Exim Bank MD Haider and AMD Muhammad Firoj Hossain confined at an apartment and attempted to kill them on 7 May.

Both the Sikder brothers fled to Thailand.

They also sought bail sought bail from there.

Mohamamd Bashir Ullah, a state counsel, said:"According to the law, there is no scope to seek anticipatory bail while living abroad. So the HC rejected their bail petitions and slapped the fine."