BGMEA seeks one more year to shift HQ from Hatirjheel

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has pleaded for a one-year extension to shift its headquarters from Hatirjheel, BSS reports. “BGMEA needs another year to relocate its Hatirjheel headquarters. We have filed a plea with the Supreme Court seeking the extension,” said BGMEA lawyer Barrister Imtiaj Moinul Islam. On March 12, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court granted BGMEA six months to demolish its complex located on Hatirjheel-Begunbari Lake, rejecting a plea of the RMG producers’ seeking three years’ time. On March 5, BGMEA lost its most recent legal battle to keep its structure intact on the scenic water body as the Appellate Division rejected its plea, seeking review of its judgement that upheld an earlier High Court verdict, ordering the demolition. On that day, the Appellate Division described the structure as a “cancer” that stands on the Hatirjheel Lake. In 2011, the High Court ordered the 16-storey building to be demolished as it was illegally constructed. BGMEA later filed a leave to appeal petition with the Appellate Division against the High Court judgement. However, the apex court on June 2, 2016 dismissed the plea and asked the BGMEA to raze its headquarters. The court order read: “The petitioner is directed to demolish the building, namely the BGMEA Complex, located on the Begunbari khal and Hatirjheel Lake at once, at its own cost.”