BGMEA gets time till Apr 12 for building demolition

The Supreme Court on Sunday gave time to Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing Export Association (BGMEA) till April 12 next year to relocate its illegal multi-storied building from Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Acting Chief Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah gave six months and four days for the relocation after hearing a petition filed by BGMEA seeking one year time for relocating its building.

The apex court, in its order, also said it is last time for BGMEA to relocate its office.

On September 11, the vacation bench of the Supreme Court extended till October 5 its earlier order over demolishing the building.

On August 31, BGMEA had pleaded for one-year more time to shift its headquarters from Hatirjheel.

In 2011, the High Court ordered demolition of the 16-storey building as it was constructed in defiance of relevant laws, calling it a "cancer" in the lake.