Ron Haque Sikder, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s corporate landscape and managing director of Sikder Group of Companies, has died in Dubai following complications related to kidney disease. He was receiving treatment at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, where he passed away around 2:20pm local time on Monday.
The news was confirmed by his elder brother, Rick Haque Sikder, in a phone conversation with The Daily Star. He said Ron had been suffering from kidney problems and had been in Dubai for treatment.
Ron had long been associated with the Sikder Group, one of the country’s established conglomerates, where he held a leading executive role for years. His position in the group placed him at the centre of its business operations and decision-making during a period of expansion and controversy.
Beyond the corporate sphere, Ron also served as a director of National Bank Limited. During that time, several members of the Sikder family held influence over the bank’s board, particularly during the tenure of the Awami League-led government.
His career, however, was repeatedly overshadowed by allegations and investigations. Authorities had examined claims involving financial irregularities, embezzlement, and money laundering linked to him and other family members. In April 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against Ron, his brother Rick, and five others over alleged money laundering. Charge sheets in those cases were later approved in October.
Questions had also been raised over transactions involving National Bank. According to findings, 11 individuals, including Ron, Rick, and their relatives, were allowed to spend $13.63 million through international credit cards between 2017 and 2021, in what was described as a breach of banking regulations. Bangladesh Bank later fined the institution Tk 55 lakh for attempting to conceal loan-related information tied to those individuals.
Following regulatory intervention, both Ron and Rick were removed from their positions as directors of the bank.
In a separate incident 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. The case drew significant attention at the time, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the family.
Industry insiders have long pointed to the Sikder family’s close business and political connections, particularly with the Awami League. The group’s founder, the late Zainul Haq Sikder, was widely regarded as a long-time ally of the party.
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Ron’s death comes at a time when several of the cases involving him were still part of ongoing legal processes. For now, attention has shifted to his passing, closing a chapter marked by both corporate influence and sustained controversy.
– The Daily Star
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