HC orders to stop demolition

The High Court yesterday directed the government authorities concerned to immediately stop the demolition of four Mughal-era buildings under holding numbers 62 to 65 in Old Dhaka's Shakhari Bazar Road and preserve their historical and archaeological values.

It asked them to explain why their failure to restrict the demolition should not be declared illegal. It also issued a rule upon the authorities to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to take necessary steps to preserve and protect as Bangladesh's heritage all classical and neoclassical buildings in Dhaka aged around 75 years.

It asked them to show cause as to why they should not be ordered to take necessary steps to initiate a heritage conservation project and make an integrated plan to restore at least three major monuments, Boro Katra, Chhoto Katra and Rupal House, in Old Dhaka.

Housing and cultural affairs ministries' secretaries; Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha's chairman, secretary and authorised officer concerned; archaeology department's director general; Dhaka Metropolitan Police's commissioner, Dhaka's deputy commissioner and Kotwali Police Station's officer-in-charge have been made respondents, Deputy Attorney General Md Bashir Ullah told The Daily Star.

The HC bench came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Taimur Islam.

Taimur, chief executive officer of Urban Study Group, an organisation campaigning for preservation of heritage properties in Old Dhaka, submitted the petition at the HC on December 28.

In it, he said a vested quarter has started the demolition despite the four being listed as heritage properties.

Besides, Rajuk in a February 2009 gazette stated that such buildings cannot be demolished without approval from Town Development Committee, formed by the government, he added.

The petitioner prayed for necessary orders to protect and preserve structures in Dhaka which are Bangladesh's heritage. Ashik Al Jalil and Sayeed Rass Maswod appeared for the petitioner.