HC imposes restriction on demolition of Khamarbari historic lab building

The High Court today imposed restriction on demolition of the historic structures including century-old laboratory building in Khamarbari area in Dhaka.

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

In the rule, the court also asked the authorities to show causes why they sould not be directed to prepare a list of heritage structures.

The bench of Justice Zubair Rahman Chowhury and Jusitice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Toimur Islam, executive officer of Urban Study Group, seeking necessary directives on the government for protecting the historic structure.

Demolition of the century-old laboratory building in the capital's Khamarbari is going on despite an outcry from preservationists.

Upon instructions from the Public Works Department (PWD), a construction firm last week began knocking down the two-storey building of great historical value.

Around three years ago, the PWD declared risky the colonial-era structure that used to house the offices of the Cotton Development Board, the custodian of the building, and also the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The board shifted its office from there one and a half years ago and the DAE about four years back.