The High Court bench of Justice MA Matin and Justice Mamnoon Rahman heard the writ petition filed as public interest litigation by Shirin Shila, a plot owner of Gulshan, challenging the validity of the government notification.

The bench also issued a rule upon the government to explain why the notification should not be declared illegal.

The stay order will remain effective until the rule is disposed of.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works on September 20 last year issued a notification permitting the landowners of Gulshan and Uttara to construct eight-storey commercial buildings.

The petitioner submitted that the concept of the residential township would be all but destroyed if eight-storey commercial buildings were erected in Gulshan and Uttara residential areas.

Dr M Zahir moved for the petitioner in the court, while Deputy Attorney General Adilur Rahman stood for the government.