‘Punitive actions to ensure safe restaurants’
Staff Reporter :
In response to the tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of 46 individuals in a building housing several restaurants on Bailey Road last month, law enforcement agencies in Dhaka have intensified their efforts to ensure public safety and enforce regulations in eateries and commercial establishments.
Over the past three days, a total of 1,132 restaurants in Dhaka have been raided by authorities, resulting in the arrest of 87 individuals and the initiation of 20 legal cases.
Additionally, a mobile court operated by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has imposed fines totaling Tk 7 lakh on four restaurants for various violations, particularly the absence of adequate fire safety measures.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh emphasized the importance of holding those accountable for the loss of lives in the recent fire incident.
He reiterated the commitment to taking punitive actions against individuals and businesses found responsible, underscoring the imperative of ensuring the safety of restaurants and other commercial ventures.
Further bolstering these efforts, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced that raids are being conducted on hotels, restaurants, shops selling gas cylinders, and chemical warehouses across the capital.
In the past three days alone, a total of 1,347 establishments, including 1,132 hotels and restaurants, 207 gas cylinder shops, and eight chemical warehouses, have been inspected as part of this operation.
During a recent raid in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area, Rajuk’s mobile court, led by executive magistrate Kamrul Islam, fined several establishments for various irregularities related to fire safety measures. Notably, Domino’s Pizza, KFC, and AL Kaderia Party Center were each fined Tk 2 lakh, while China Town restaurant received a fine of Tk 1 lakh.
The 14-storey building at 25/B in Khilgaon, where these establishments are located, has rented out its lower four floors to various organizations, including popular eateries like Domino’s Pizza, KFC, and Secret Recipes, along with Crimson Cup and Al-Kaderia Party Center.
Upon inspection, the mobile court found that although the building had approval for commercial use, it lacked the necessary permits for operating restaurants.
The court informed the building owner, Kabir Hossain, that while the building could be rented to offices, it was not permitted for restaurant operations. Despite this, the owner, who claimed ignorance of the regulation, was not fined.
Subsequently, the mobile court inspected Domino’s Pizza, KFC, and AL Kaderia Party Center and imposed fines of Tk 2 lakh on each establishment. Additionally, the eateries were given a one-month deadline to rectify their documentation.
The team also visited China Town Restaurant adjacent to the building, and upon inspection, Executive Magistrate Kamrul Islam stated that fines were imposed as the eateries failed to present the required documents.
