Terror-hit Holey Artisan Bakery handed over to property owner following a court order

Holey Artisan Bakery, where 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed during a siege by Islamist militants on July 1, has been returned to the owner of the plot after four months.

Police handed over the property to the owner of the plot, Samira Ahmed, on Sunday afternoon following a court order, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman told bdnews24.com.

The plot No. 5 at Road No. 79 in Gulshan-2 was allotted to Dr Suraiya Zabin for use as a residential building cum clinic in 1979. In 1982, Lakeview Clinic was built at one side of the plot adjacent to Gulshan Lake.

After Suraiya's death, her daughters Samira and Sara Ahmed became the owners of the plot.

Samira's husband Sadat Mehedi and his friend Nasimul Alam Parag along with a few other partners started the Holey Artisan Bakery at a building on other side of the plot in 2014.

The cafe in Dhaka's diplomatic district became a popular eatery with foreigners because of its food, lakeside view and grass lawn in the adjacent area of the building. A pizza corner and an ice-cream parlour were added later.

On July 1 evening, a group of militants took around 30 people, mostly foreigners, hostage in the cafe.

The militants killed 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners, before the army commandos stormed the cafe early next morning, and killed five militants to free the remaining hostages.

Two police officers were also killed immediately after the siege when the militants hurled grenades at police mobilising for an operation.

After the commandos left the scene, police took control of the cafe to preserve the evidence of the militants’ carnage.

The issue of the commercial use of residential plots and buildings in Dhaka was raised again after the attack that became an international headline in the world media.

Following the incident, Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain had said the owner of the cafe would have to face action for opening it illegally.

RAJUK also sent a notice claiming a breach of the lease contract. The notice did not reach the owner and was hung on Holey's gate.

The owner later moved court for taking control of the plot and the court issued the order in her favour.

Asked about the matter, RAJUK Chairman M Bajlur Rahman told bdnews24.com: "We are aware of the matter. We have sent people there to set the next course of action."