HC issues rule to demolish illegal establishments at Hatirhjeel

Staff Correspondent: The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why directives would not be given to remove all the establishments, including restaurants, beyond the layout plan of Hatirjheel-Begunbari project.

At the same time, the rule also asked why directives would not be given to the respondents to take steps so that no more establishments beyond the layout plan could be established there in future.

The HC bench of Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kalam issued the rule after hearing of a supplementary petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

Seven people concerned including chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and director of Hatirjheel-Begunbari project were asked to respond to the rule within two weeks.

Earlier on September 10, the HC directed the authorities concerned to remove all the establishments beyond the layout plan of Hatirjheel-Begunbari project within seven days after hearing of a writ filed by HRPB.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why directives would not be given to stop construction of structures beyond the layout plan of the project and protect the project as per the design.

Later, authorities of several establishments, built beyond the layout plan, filed an appeal with Supreme Court seeking stay of the HC order.

On October 14 last, the SC passed status quo on the order and also ordered disposing of the rule issued by the HC within two months.

HRPB lawyer Manzil Murshid said that the supplementary petition was filed seeking directives to demolish the illegal establishments.

The HC today issued the rule after hearing.


risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 27, 2019/Mahidi/AI