Sikder Group MD Ron Haque Sikder dies in Dubai

Ron Haque Sikder, managing director of Sikder Group of Companies and a former director of National Bank Limited, died at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai around 2:20pm local time on Monday.

Rick Haque Sikder, elder brother of Ron, confirmed the news to The Daily Star over the phone.

“Ron was suffering from kidney problems and died in Dubai,” Rick said.

Ron had served as managing director of the Sikder Group for years and was a key figure in the conglomerate.

Ron and his brothers had faced multiple allegations and investigations over financial irregularities, embezzlement, and money laundering over the years.

In April 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed cases against Ron, his brother Rick Haque Sikder, and five others over allegations of money laundering. 

Charge sheets in the cases were approved in October that year.

Ron had also served as a director of National Bank Limited, where other family members dominated the board during the Awami League-led government's tenure. 

In a serious breach of banking rules, National Bank allowed 11 individuals — including directors Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder and their family members — to spend $13.63 million (about Tk 118 crore) using international credit cards between 2017 and 2021. 

Bangladesh Bank later fined the bank Tk 55 lakh for attempting to conceal loan-related information of the 11 individuals.

Following Bangladesh Bank's intervention, Ron and Rick were removed as directors of National Bank.

In May 2020, EXIM Bank filed a case with Gulshan Police Station accusing Ron and his brother Dipu Haque Sikder of torturing two bank officials and attempting to kill them. 

Industry insiders said the Sikder family had close business and political ties with the Awami League government. The group's founder, the late Zainul Haq Sikder, and his family were often described as long-time allies of the party.