Court orders seize of Sikder family’s Tk133cr investments
Staff Reporter :
A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of foreign investments worth 35.3 crore Baht (approximately Tk133 crore) linked to the children of late Zainul Haque Sikder, the former chairman of National Bank Limited.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez passed the order on Monday following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), confirmed the commission’s Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam.
The move marks one of the most significant steps in the ongoing probe into alleged money laundering and illegal wealth accumulation by the influential Sikder family.
The court order specifically targets investments made in the names of Ron Haque Sikder, Rick Haque Sikder, and Parveen Haque Sikder—all prominent members of the business family.
According to case documents, the three jointly own stakes in seven Thailand-based companies including KOI Restaurant Company Limited, Sikder Group Limited, Sikder Holdings Limited, R&R Restaurant Group Limited, Zirara Company Limited, JR Architects International Company Limited, Sikder & Garrett Development Company Limited
The ACC, represented by Assistant Director Md Ashikur Rahman, submitted the petition arguing that the family was attempting to transfer movable and immovable assets abroad in an effort to obstruct the ongoing corruption investigation.
An ACC special investigation team of seven members is currently probing allegations of money laundering, embezzlement, and misuse of power against the Sikder Group.
Investigators noted that unchecked transfer of assets could severely compromise the state’s ability to confiscate ill-gotten wealth and undermine prospects of justice.
The court, agreeing with the ACC’s assessment, directed the authorities to take immediate steps to prevent the Sikder family from moving or liquidating their foreign holdings.
Legal experts say the order is not only aimed at safeguarding the government’s right to reclaim allegedly laundered wealth but also sends a strong signal about tighter scrutiny of offshore investments by Bangladeshi business families.
The Sikder family, long regarded as one of the country’s most influential business dynasties with interests spanning banking, healthcare, and real estate, has faced multiple controversies in recent years.
This latest order deepens the legal troubles surrounding them and could pave the way for further international cooperation in tracing and freezing offshore assets.