Shut shops at Mouchak market until repair works: HC

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to keep the shops at Dhaka’s Mouchak market closed until the market building is repaired and it receives certificate under the building code.

The HC bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddique and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil came up with the order following a writ petition filed challenging an order by Rajuk to the market authorities to repair the building.

A report by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) termed the building as risky and a letter was sent to the market authorities on May 2 asking them to vacate it for immediate repair.

On June 6, Ashraf Kamal Pasha, owner of the market, filed the writ petition challenging the legality of Rajuk’s letter.

Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman told The Daily Star that housing and public works secretary and Rajuk will execute the HC order.

The court also issued a rule as to why Rajuk’s directives to repair the building will not be declared illegal and why Rajuk will not be directed to vacant the markets, he said.