Appellate division clears way to demolish 'risky' Gulshan Shopping Centre

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the High Court's decision to demolish the Gulshan Shopping Centre in the capital's Gulshan-1 within 30 days.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order after hearing the appeal petition filed by Zia Yameen, one of the owners of the shopping complex, challenging the HC order. 

The High Court on 13 December last year ordered Gulshan Shopping Centre to be demolished within 30 days and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Rajuk, and others were asked to implement the directive.

In July last year, two companies namely "Bani Chitra" and "Chalchchitra" filed a writ petition in the High Court, seeking directions to demolish the shopping centre, citing safety concerns. 

A ruling was issued on the same day after the preliminary hearing of the petition.

Earlier on 23 July that year, the Dhaka North City Corporation in a mobile court drive sealed off the shopping centre as it was found risky. 

Attorney Mostak Ahmed Chowdhury presented the writ in court, while Barrister Khan Mohammad Shamim Aziz represented Rajuk, and Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy appeared on behalf of the state.

In 2018, the Directorate of Fire Services and Civil Defense declared the shopping centre "unfit for use" after a devastating fire incident raged through the DNCC Market in 2017. They revisited the shopping centre in 2021 and confirmed that it was risky and should be abandoned.