Concord tower on orphanage land illegal, says HC
The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal an 18-storey tower constructed by Concord Group on a piece of land belonging to Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage in the capitals Azimpur area.
The HC also directed the Concord Group authorities to handover the possession of the building and other establishments built on the orphanages land to the orphanage within 30 days.
In a verdict, the HC bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque came up with the directive after disposing of a writ petition filed by four students of the orphanage.
In its order, the HC said Concord Group built the structure illegally on the land of the orphanage. The court ruled that the government will take over the possession of the building on behalf of the orphanage, if Concord Group fails to handover the ownership of the structures by 30 days.
It also ordered the authorities concerned to protect and preserve the properties of the orphanage and to develop those in the interest of the orphanage.
Advocate Manzill Murshid, counsel for the petitioners, told reporters that Concord Group has to hand over the land to the orphanage authorities following the HC verdict.
He also said that the HC declared the deeds and power of attorney of the president and secretary of Concord Group regarding the land dated July 22, 2013 and April 13, 2014 cancelled, as the deeds and power of attorney have became void ab initio (dead from birth).
In 1909, Sir Salimullah built the orphanage in Azimpur area. Later, the government leased some land to the orphanage authorities for expansion.
