Sikder brothers’ Range Rover seized as evidence

Police have seized a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to Ron Haque Sikder, managing director of Sikder Group, which was allegedly used in the attempted murder of the managing director (MD) of Exim Bank.

A team of Gulshan Division police seized a white Range Rover SUV (Dhaka Metro Gha-18-3965) after raiding Sikder House on Banani Road 11 on Monday, based on information provided by the victims in a case filed against Ron, Rafiqul Islam, assistant commissioner of Gulshan Zone police, told The Daily Star today.

"We seized the car as an evidence in the case," he said.

Asked about any clue found from CCTV footage, AC Rafiqul said that the case has already been transferred to DB police and they are now investigating it.

On May 19, Exim Bank authorities filed a case against Ron and his brother Dipu Haque Sikder for allegedly torturing two top officials of the bank and shooting at them over a Tk 500-crore loan.

According to the case statement filed by Exim Bank Director Lt Col (retd) Serajul Islam with Gulshan Police Station, two brothers -- Ron and Dipu-- allegedly tried to kill Exim Bank's Mohammed Haider Ali Miah and Additional MD Mohammad Feroz Hossain by shooting them for refusing to price the value of their mortgaged property at a higher level for a loan.

Ron was inside the white Range Rover while shooting at Haider Ali Miah, read the case statement, adding they also tortured the two senior bank officials, confining them at a house in Banani and forcing them to sign a blank paper at gunpoint.

The whole incident took place over a loan proposal of Tk 500 crore, read the case statement.

Within six days of registering the case, the two brothers fled the country on May 25 for Bangkok on an air ambulance from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with government permission, in the midst of a global suspension of commercial international air travel.

Asked about the investigation update, Mashiur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of DB police, told The Daily Star today that they have started collecting statements from witnesses and victims upon receiving the investigation charge of the case.

They have also started collecting evidence related to the case, he added.

The SUV was mentioned in the case documents and the seizure of the vehicle has also been informed to court on Tuesday as evidence, he said.

Asked about any leads, Mashiur said "We have started our investigation. No matter who is involved with the case and where they are staying, we are working to ensure punishment of the responsible people."