Dhaka: The High Court on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to stop in the next 24 hours the construction work for setting up a parking lot after dismantling a portion of the boundary wall of Lalbagh Fort.

An HC bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul-Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Mohammad Saifur Rahman passed the order during the primary hearing on a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

Besides, the HC issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to take necessary steps in protecting the historical Mughal fort.

It issued another rule asking the authorities concerned they should not be directed to return the original shape of the wall which was demolished for setting up the parking lot.

The Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, the Director General of the Department of Archeology and three others have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in two weeks.

The Director General of the Department of Archeology, deputy director of Dhaka division, curator of Lalbagh Fort and officer-in-charge of Lalbagh Police Station, have been asked to comply with the HC order. It also asked to submit the progress report by 5 July.

Following media reports that a portion of boundary wall of Lalbagh Kella is being demolished for constructing a car parking place here, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a writ petition with the HC on Sunday morning, challenging the legality of demolishing the lone archeological symbol of the Mughal Empire.

Lawyer Manzil Morshed stood for the petitioner.