Staff Reporter :
After the devastating inferno on Bailey Road, law enforcement and regulatory authorities have intensified their efforts against unauthorised restaurants operating within various skyscrapers across the capital, resulting in the detention of at least 16 people for regulatory violations.
In their vigorous crackdown, authorities are dismantling or indefinitely sealing unauthorised restaurants due to unauthorised modifications made to the buildings to accommodate these eateries.
Rajuk, along with law enforcement personnel, conducted separate operations on Monday in various areas of the capital, including Dhanmondi and Wari.
During these operations, a Rajuk team sealed at least 12 restaurants and imposed a fine of Tk 2 lakh on Spice and Herbs restaurant for multiple irregularities observed within the restaurants housed in the Gawsia Twin Peak tower in Dhanmondi.
Tajina Sarwar, Rajuk Director and Executive Magistrate, said, “The building falls under category F, designated for office spaces only.
However, we discovered that a significant portion of two floors is being used for offices, while the rest of the floors are occupied by restaurants. Additionally, there were shops selling medicines and clothing, further deviating from the building’s approved usage.”
The magistrate also indicated that she would notify relevant stakeholders, including the city corporations and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, about the issue to initiate legal action against the violators.
Rajuk carried out the enforcement action on Monday morning, resulting in the demolition of the Retro Live Chicken restaurant situated on the rooftop of the building. Rajuk emphasised that the rooftop of the building was intended to remain open as per its design, and the establishment of the restaurant without obtaining any permission was in violation of regulations.
Simultaneously, police detained at least 16 individuals for various irregularities discovered in 14 restaurants located on Rankin Street in Wari.
During their operations, police found that these restaurants were operating within residential buildings without adequate emergency exits, and kitchen materials, including gas cylinders, were improperly stored on staircases.
Law enforcement officials commented, “These restaurants pose a fire risk as most of them lack fire safety equipment and measures.
Additionally, the narrow passages and the need to pass through multiple doors before reaching the stairs further exacerbate the safety concerns.”
If fire is caught, no one will be able to come out of the buildings easily, the police said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Iqbal Hossain of Wari Division provided insights into ongoing enforcement operations within buildings on Rankin Street, highlighting the concerning situation where commercial enterprises are operating within residential premises lacking adequate safety protocols.
He emphasised the imminent risks posed by such setups, where individuals dine in close proximity to ovens and gas cylinders, with some buildings even lacking proper exit passages.
Additionally, the narrow staircases have been further obstructed by various materials, exacerbating safety concerns. As a result of these operations, six to seven individuals, including the managers of three restaurants, have been detained, and several gas cylinders have been seized.
Concurrently, the Dhaka South City Corporation conducted a drive against the Cayari Crescent building on Sat Masjid Road, leading to its sealing under the direction of Executive Magistrate Mohammad Jahangir Alam. During the operation, police detained three individuals.
The magistrate ordered the closure of all restaurants and hotels within the building, permitting only the shops located on the ground and first floor to remain open.
Amidst ongoing developments, a group of city residents, including women and children, gathered on Monday to form a human chain in front of the charred remains of the Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road, asserting that the recent fire incident was not merely an accident but an act of deliberate harm.
Some participants wore black strips of cloth around their eyes in a symbolic display of protest and mourning, while children held red roses as a gesture of love and remembrance.
Prior to this, on Sunday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted extensive inspections of various restaurants in the capital to assess fire safety measures and address other related issues. During these operations, police apprehended 25 individuals for violating regulations pertaining to the establishment of restaurants.
City planners have emphasised the need for continuous and consistent enforcement efforts throughout the year, rather than sporadic actions, as seasonal crackdowns fail to yield lasting results when stakeholders revert to non-compliant practices once the scrutiny subsides.
In a separate event within the capital, Additional Police Commissioner (Detective) Harun Or Rashid informed journalists that law enforcement personnel, including undercover officers, are maintaining heightened vigilance to identify irregularities within restaurants.
He underscored that strict action will be taken against restaurant owners found to be in breach of rules and regulations, particularly concerning fire safety protocols.
