The High Court asked the authorities concerned to stop building commercial structures in the residential area at Rankin in Old Dhaka’s Wari area yesterday.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo also issued a rule on the authorities to explain why the construction should not be declared illegal.
It asked the respondents – secretary to the land minister, Dhaka deputy commissioner, Rajuk chairman, Dhaka South City Corporation mayor, and managing directors of four developing companies – to come up with an answer within four weeks.
The order and rule came as Sakina Begum, a Supreme Court lawyer and resident of Rankin Street, filed a writ petition with the High Court. Following the order, the authorities will have to stop any commercial construction in the area, said the petitioner’s counsel Masud Ahmed Sayeed.
Masud also said that Home Stone Ltd, Rupayan Development, AK Housing Ltd, and Green Home Ltd have been constructing several structures for commercial purposes, violating the West Pakistan Manual 1958, which states the plots cannot be used for commercial purposes.
