No construction near Lalbagh fort

Structures stand next to the boundary wall of Lalbagh Kella, spoiling the view of the historic fort. The photo was taken recently. Photo: Anisur Rahman

The High Court yesterday directed the Lalbagh police to take steps within 24 hours to stop the construction work going on near the boundary of historical Lalbagh Kella (fort) in Old Dhaka.
An HC bench, comprised of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also ordered the officer-in-charge (OC) of Lalbagh Police Station to submit a report to it within a week on compliance of its order.
The court also issued a rule upon the government and locals Md Shahid Hossain, Mohammad Haque and Lenin, who are erecting structures there, to explain within three weeks why they should not be directed to implement the relevant law and rules for protecting the natural beauty and existence of the fort.
Secretaries to the ministries of cultural affairs and home affairs, mayor of Dhaka City Corporation, chairman of Rajuk, director general of Archaeological Directorate, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, OC of Lalbagh Police Station and the three locals, have been made respondents to the rule.
The bench came up with the order and rule hours after Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a writ petition yesterday seeking directions on the respondents to implement Antiquities Act 1968 and Building Construction Rules 2008 for protecting and preserving the fort.
The petition was filed following a newspaper report in October saying that some landlords are constructing structures near the boundary of Mughal-built Lalbagh Fort, defying law and rules.
Advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General ABM Altaf Hossain stood for the government.
Earlier on October 10, the HC directed the government to take necessary steps to protect and preserve the historical edifice.