The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) ordered Asian Land Development Limited on August 4 to immediately stop selling plots and running advertisements for its Asian City housing project, saying the scheme is operating without formal approval.
The developer has been given 30 days to submit all required documents and properly demarcate the project boundary to obtain clearance.
According to RAJUK’s notice, the Asian City project in Dakshinkhan mouza under Dakshinkhan Police Station in Dhaka has never been formally approved, even though the Supreme Court permitted residential development on 33 acres of land. Despite this, the company has been advertising and marketing plots through billboards, signboards, online channels and other sales methods — activities RAJUK declared completely illegal.
The Private Residential Land Development Rules 2004, revised in 2011 and 2015, make it mandatory for developers to obtain RAJUK approval before beginning any development or land sales. The Real Estate Development and Management Act 2010 also prescribes penalties for violations, including a minimum fine of Tk 10 lakh, up to three years in jail, or both.
RAJUK warned that if Asian Land Development Limited fails to comply within the 30-day window, legal measures will be taken. These include dismantling all advertisements, halting sales operations, imposing fines and applying further penalties under the law.
The authority also clarified that Asian City will only be considered for approval once it meets all conditions laid down in the Natural Waterbody Conservation Act 2000, the Real Estate Development and Management Act 2010 and the Private Residential Land Development Rules 2004 (as amended in 2011 and 2015). Until then, no sales, promotions or construction will be allowed.
The official notice, addressed to the company’s managing director, directed the developer to comply with existing regulations without delay.