In May 2000, the High Court in its verdict upon a writ petition filed by the Rangs Group declared the Rajuk notices illegal, saying that the construction of the Rangs Bhaban was done as per the plan approved by Rajuk following the terms and conditions. It further said the Rajuk notices canceling sanction of the plan and its other letters asking the petitioner to remove the construction beyond 6th floor have been issued without lawful authority.

On the other hand, the present caretaker government in a meeting of the Advisory Council in April decided in principle to demolish the Rangs Bhaban on Old Airport road in the capital.

When a five-member bench of the apex court took up the matter for hearing, Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, counsel for the Rangs Group, opposed the hearing and submitted that the hearing should be postponed until the state of emergency is lifted. The case involved enforcement of fundamental rights, now suspended under the state of emergency, he said.

The Appellate Division bench, headed by Justice M Fazlul Karim, allowed Attorney General Fida M Kamal to make his submission for the government.

Fida Kamal submitted that the Rangs authorities had constructed the multi-storied building in violation of the rules of Rajuk and also the statutory rules of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The hearing resumes today.