In a major blow to the long-drawn legal tussle pertaining to the demolition of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) office building at Dhaka’s Hatirjheel – which courted controversy for allegedly flouting environmental guidelines – the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has recently asked the apex garment exporters’ body to start demolishing the same at its own expense.
Releasing the full copy of its verdict recently, the apex court maintained that if the BGMEA fails to pull down the same, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) would be instructed to bring down the 16-storey building in 90 days and realise the expense incurred in the process from the BGMEA.
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“There is an option to file for a review within one month. We’ll definitely take that opportunity. After that, we’ll abide by whatever the honourable court decides,” reportedly maintained Vice President of BGMEA, Mohammed Nasir while speaking to the media, hinting towards filing a review petition against the appellate verdict, adding, “Our plea will mention the need for breathing space so the sector can continue earning foreign currency, if we have to tear down the building.”
It may be mentioned here that a High Court earlier ordered pulling down of the structure for violating environmental norms, following which BGMEA filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.
In October 2010, the High Court issued a rule – which came into being after a lawyer presented a report carried by news daily on the building – asking why the building should not be razed. The court subsequently sought explanations from the Secretary of the Public Works Ministry, RAJUK, BGMEA President, District Administration and Dhaka Metro Police Commissioner, and then in 2011, the High Court ordered the structure to be demolished as it found the building had been constructed in violation of laws aimed at protecting the wetlands.
