SC okays demolition of historic lab building

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for demolition of the century-old laboratory building located in Farmgate's Khamarbari area of Dhaka.

The Appellate Division of the SC stayed a High Court order that imposed a ban on demolition and removal of the old building at Khamarbari.

The apex court also asked the High Court to hear and dispose of the rule issued by it (HC) over the legality of demolition expeditiously.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, who is performing functions of the chief justice, passed the order after disposing of a leave-to-appeal filed by the government against the HC order.

Deputy Attorney General SM Moniruzzaman told The Daily Star that now there is no legal bar to demolish and remove the old building at Khamarbari following the order.

He said the government will construct a new structure there.

Following a writ petition, the HC on November 1 imposed the restriction on demolition of the historic structures including the century-old laboratory building.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain as to why demolition of the building should not be declared illegal.