Steps have been initiated to declare the official residence of the chief justice, located at 19 Hare Road in Dhaka, as a protected antiquity.
This initiative was taken by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, and the Department of Archaeology has already begun the process.
The Supreme Court administration shared this information on Thursday through a circular.
It mentioned that, as part of the process, the Department of Archaeology has instructed the regional directors of Dhaka and Mymensingh to inspect the residence and submit a report.
The decision to declare the chief justice’s residence a protected site comes in the wake of damage caused during the student uprising on August 5.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has taken the initiative to preserve the residence, which is considered historically significant.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the building under the existing legal framework of Bangladesh.
According to the circular, under the provisions of the Antiquities Act, 1968, the ownership of the residence will remain with the Supreme Court. If declared a protected site, it will be regarded as a national treasure.
The decision aims to raise awareness of the country’s rich history and architectural heritage among future generations.
A special meeting was held on September 25 at the chief justice’s residence, chaired by officials from the Supreme Court administration and the Department of Archaeology.
As per the meeting's outcome, Md Amiruzzaman, deputy director of the Department of Archaeology, sent a letter to the regional directors of Dhaka and Mymensingh as part of the process to declare the residence a protected antiquity.
Built in 1908, the chief justice’s residence is a unique blend of Mughal and European classical architecture. It was one of the official buildings constructed for high-ranking government officials when Dhaka became the capital of East Bengal and Assam following the 1905 partition of Bengal. Although its use varied over time, the building has served as the chief justice’s residence since the early 1950s.
If declared a protected antiquity, this centennial structure will help preserve its architectural heritage and historical significance for future generations.
