HC issues rule for demolishing illegal structures on footpaths

The High Court yesterday issued a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to demolish illegal structures, including shops, on the footpaths near AGB Colony kitchen market at Ideal and Al Helal Zone in the capital's Motijheel.

In the rule, it also asked the authorities to show causes why allocation of this place for constructing structures in the name of rehabilitation of freedom fighters should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Hussain and AKM Shahidul Huq came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by 13 local residents. 

They submitted the petition based on a report recently published on Prothom Alo which says some influential persons have been constructing at least 200 concrete structures near the kitchen market, said Redwan Ahmed Runjib, a lawyer for the petitioners.

The LGRD secretary, mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation and six others concerned have been made respondents to the rule.