HC asks govt to take measures in 3 months
The High Court yesterday directed the government to take a set of steps to protect and preserve the Mughal-built Lalbagh Kella (fort) in Old Dhaka.
As directed, the government has to demarcate the fort area through a survey and remove all private structures from there within three months.
The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys will conduct the survey, the court said.
The HC also ordered construction of a five-metre wide walkway around the historic fort following legal procedures.
An HC bench comprised of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore issued the directive in response to a petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.
The court also directed the authorities concerned to ensure compliance with the Antiquities Act 1968 and Building Construction Rules 2008 in building structures around the fort area so that the natural beauty of this historical site is not damaged.
The rights body filed the petition on August 25 opposing a writ petition filed by one Abul Hashem in 2008 challenging the government action to prevent him from building a structure on the fort premises.
Its counsel Manzill Murshid told this correspondent that the HC rejected Hashem’s writ petition.
There is a three-storied structure with hidden passages, a mosque, the Tomb of Pari Bibi and audience room and Hammam Khana (room for bathing) of Mughal subedar Shaista Khan on the fort premises.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appeared for the government and Shamsul Alam Kanchan for the writ petitioner.
