Sikder brothers seek SC nod to contest HC order

Sikder Group Managing Director Ron Haque Sikder and his brother Dipu Haque Sikder have sought permission from the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court order that fined them for seeking anticipatory bail from abroad in a case filed for allegedly abducting, torturing and opening fire at two top Exim Bank officials over a loan permission.

Ron Sikder and Dipu Sikder, currently in Thailand, on Tuesday virtually filed a petition with the Appellate Division of the SC through their lawyers in this regard.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Nuruzzaman on Tuesday sent the permission-petition to its full bench for hearing on August 9, Advocate Muhammad Saifullah Mamun, a lawyer for the petitioners, told The Daily Star.

He said his clients sought permission from the SC for filling a petition challenging the HC order of fine as the HC is yet to release the written order.

Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath told this newspaper that if the full bench of the apex court on August 9 gives permission to the brothers they can move an appeal before it against the HC order.

Barrister Ajmalul Hossain QC appeared for the petitioners while Attorney General Mahbubey Alarm represented the state during yesterday's virtual court proceedings.

On July 20, the HC ordered the brothers to give 5,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) each as fine to the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund in two weeks in order to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.