The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday ordered maintaining status quo on the eviction process of the unauthorised commercial establishments at Hatirjheel-Begunmari project.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order, reports UNB.  

Now, no drive will be conducted to evict the commercial establishments in Hatirjheel area until further order, it said.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and barrister Imam Hasan stood for Rajuk while senior advocate Manzill Murshid represented the petitioner.

Earlier on May 24, the High Court issued four directives terming the Hatirjheel area including the Begunbari canal as an asset of the state and declaring all commercial establishments there including hotels, restaurants and shops in the project area illegal.

On September 9, 2018, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed the writ petition with the High Court.

The following day, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why directives should not be given to stop construction of structures beyond the layout plan of the project and protect the project as per the design.

On June 30, 2021, the High Court declared all commercial establishments including hotels, restaurants and shops in Hatirjheel-Begunbari area illegal and ordered their eviction in 60 days.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul