Bangladesh Supreme Court will pass an order in regard to an extension plea for relocation of the apparel makers’ headquarter next week. Meanwhile, it has also sought an undertaking that the apparel manufacturers would not request for a further time extension.
A four-member Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, told Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to give an undertaking that they will not be seeking a further extension.
After hearing, the Supreme Court, on March 27, 2018, did not pass an order against BGMEA’s extension plea, and rather said it would take the matter into final consideration if the apparel industrialists give the undertaking. On March 28, 2018, the court set April 2 to pass an order in this regard.
Senior lawyer Àdvocate Kamrul Haque Siddique appeared for BGMEA in the apex court while Àttorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.
Previously, SC ruled the BGMEA Complex illegal, occupying the Begunbari canal and Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka and ordered its demolition. The Court upheld the illegality of the building in June 2016. However, it could not be done and repeated orders for relocation fell on deaf ears.
Lastly, the apex court gave out its final say in this regard last year, issuing a strict ruling that the BGMEA would have to bring down their office building by April this year.
And, a few days ago, weeks ahead of the due date, BGMEA appealed to the apex court pleading for a year extension, citing that it would take time to relocate in their new office building in Uttara, Dhaka.