Case filed against Sikder Group MD over shooting Exim Bank official

A case has been filed against Sikder Group managing director Rano Sikder and his brother Dipu Sikder with Gulshan Police Station over an alleged attempt to murder by shooting, detaining and torturing Exim Bank MD Mohammad Hayder Ali Mia and additional MD Mohammad Firoz Hossain.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in Gulsahn Zone Sudipto Chakrabarty told The Business Standard that the accused had been absconding and the police were trying to arrest them.

Asked if the accused have fled abroad, Gulshan Police Station officer-in-charge Md Kamruzzaman said, "We have no information regarding this."

According to police, the incident took place on May 7 in Sikder House on Banani's Road 11 after Sikder Group was refused a Tk500 crore loan from Exim Bank.

The two Exim Bank officers were taken to visit the mortgage and held hostage. Later, they were taken to Banani at noon. They were set free at 7 pm after they agreed to sign a bond. Sikder Group-owned National Bank MD Chowdhury Mostak Ahmed was also present there.

According to the case statement, Sikder Group applied for Tk500 crore some time ago, and to discuss it Rano Sikder and Mostak Ahmed came to Exim Bank head office at 11 am on May 7. They took the MD and additional MD of the bank to visit the mortgage site – Adi Nawab Ashkari Jute Mills in Rupganj.

During the visit, the officials found the value of the mortgage less than what is shown in documents. Later, Rano Sikder told them to visit Icon Tower in Purbachal. However, after going there they did not find Rano Sikder or Mostak Ahmed. They were returning to Dhaka via the 300 Feet Road where they met Rano Sikder and Mostak Ahmed.

Someone shot towards them. A security guard took the additional MD to the MD's car and took them to Sikder House at gunpoint.

"How dare you disobey my order! I will make you lame permanently," said Rano Sikder to the MD, according to the case statement.

At gunpoint, Rano Sikder threatened the MD to get the loan. The additional MD was taken to the sixth floor where Rano Sikder and Dipu Haque were drinking alcohol.

"This land costs Tk2.5 crore per katha. Why did you say it is Tk2.5 crore per bigha? I will kill you right now," Rano Sikder threatened the additional DMD. Dipu Shikder tried to beat him.

After some time, the additional MD was taken to the third floor. Both the MD and additional MD were left under the supervision of two foreign security guards.

Later, Rano Sikder and Dipu Sikder took bonds from the MD, threatening them that the foreign security guards will torture them in the torture cell. Additional MD was made a witness.

Later, the MD was taken to the chairman of the group Joinal Sikder and took a photo with him at 5 pm. They were sent home with two cars. After they reached home their handsets were given back.

National Bank's statement on the incident

National Bank, a sister concern of the Sikder Group, issued a statement explaining the incident.

National Bank's senior advocate Abdul Baset Mozumder on Wednesday wrote in a statement, "Exim Bank director took many advantages from National Bank for operating his business. On May 13, the director and his organisation took Tk5 crore as loan."

"Rano Sikder has never applied for a Tk500 crore loan, and the complainant cannot show any proof of that. Besides, Rano Sikder and National Bank officials did not go to Exim Bank's Gulshan office on May 7. So, there is no question of negotiation about the loan.

Moreover, the accuser was not a witness. He filed a case with ill motives after 12 days without communicating with Exim Bank MD and additional MD."