Court orders freeze Sikder family assets in Thailand

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of investments in seven companies in Thailand linked to the children of late Zainul Haque Sikder, the former chairman of National Bank.

The order, issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez, came in response to a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The companies are registered under the names of Ron Haque Sikder, Rick Haque Sikder and Parveen Haque Sikder.

According to the petition, the assets are worth 353 million Thai baht. The application was filed by ACC Assistant Director Md Ashiqur Rahman.

In its application, the graftbusters said Sikder family patriarch Zainul, his children and associates were facing allegations of corruption, embezzlement of public funds, bribery and money laundering.

The ACC has already formed a seven-strong joint investigation committee to look into the allegations.

It also told the court that during the course of the investigation, the accused attempted to transfer both immovable and movable assets abroad. This posed a risk of obstructing the inquiry, according to the ACC.

The petition also noted that freezing the assets of the Sikder family-owned companies in Bangkok was necessary “to protect the interests of the government and ensure justice”.