The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has ordered a status quo on all construction activities at the Mahasthangarh archaeological site in Bogura.
The court also allowed the government to file a regular appeal against a High Court ruling on the preservation of the historic site in 2012.
The four-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, passed the order on Sunday.
Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal appeared for the state, while lawyer Manzil Morshed represented the writ petitioner.
The case originated from reports published in 2010 about the construction of a mosque and other development activities by a shrine committee inside the boundaries of Mahasthangarh, one of the country’s most important archaeological sites.
Following the reports, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed a public interest litigation petition with the High Court seeking measures to protect the archaeological site.
After hearing the petition, the High Court on 19 January, 2012, barred all development and construction activities within the boundaries of Mahasthangarh.
The government subsequently sought permission to appeal against the High Court judgment.
According to Manzil Morshed, the Appellate Division has now granted the government permission to file a regular appeal against the 2012 verdict.
The court has also directed that the status quo be maintained regarding all construction activities at the Mahasthangarh archaeological site until further orders.
