Tensions gripped people who bought space in BGMEA building, constructed illegally in Hatirjheel lake in Dhaka, as the Appellate Division on Sunday rejected a plea for a review of its order to demolish the 15-story building. After the rejection of the petition, the space buyers said that they were not unwilling to leave the building but anxious about their investments. Most of them were considering shifting their business offices elsewhere and sitting with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association leaders to discuss about the compensation for the space they bought from the trade body. The trade body leaders, however, declined to comment. The association sold 1.25 lakh of the 2.66 lakh square feet of floor space in the 15-storey building to different establishments, including Dhaka Bank Ltd, Exim Bank Bangladesh Ltd and 38 apparel manufacturing companies. The apparel companies who bought space in the building said that they wanted to wait with patience to see the decision of the BGMEA as they were also members of the trade body, but the association had to ensure alternative arrangement for them. ‘We are extremely worried over the situation and we will sit with the BGMEA tomorrow [Monday] as we run our corporate office in the building with more than 350 employee,’ DBL Group vice chairman Mohammed Abdur Rahim told New Age. DBL Group, one of the country’s largest apparel manufacturers, bought 60,000 square feet of floor space in the building for its corporate office. Had the court detailed what to be done for those who bought space in the building, the association would need to go by the directive, Rahim said. He said that they would need to leave the building as per the court order but they would demand alternative arrangement from the association. Dhaka Bank Ltd managing director Syed Mahbubur Rahman said that the relocation of the branch of the bank from the BGMEA building was under process. ‘We will sit with the BGMEA soon and will demand compensation,’ he said. The branch of Dhaka Bank Limited is housed in the first floor of the building. Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Limited assistant vice-president AKM Jahidul Alam said that they had already decided to relocate their branch from BGMEA building but the alternative place was yet to be finalised. The branch of the Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Limited is housed in the 2nd floor. Rupa Fashions Ltd managing director Shahidul Islam expected that the association would find a solution those who bought space in the building. ‘We are respectful to the court verdict. The Appellate Division rejected our review plea and asked us to file a petition seeking time for shifting the office. We will file the petition seeking a three-year time,’ trade body president Md Siddiqur Rahman told reporters. Asked about the buyers of space in the building, he said, ‘I would not say anything over the issue.’
