Raintree hotel in Banani is operating illegally, says RAJUK

The Raintree hotel, which is at the centre of an investigation into alleged rape of two university students, is operating illegally, according to RAJUK.

The capital development agency says it has cut off gas, power and water supplies to the hotel, run by Awami League MP Bazlul Haque Haroon's son Mahir Haroon, for having no permission to operate as a commercial entity in a residential area.          

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha alleges that the 'four-star' hotel authorities resumed operations by violating the law.

MP Haroon, the chief of the parliamentary committee on religious affairs ministry, owns the plot No. 49 at road No. 27 of K-block in Banani that houses the hotel.

Shafat Ahmed, arrested on charges of raping the two university students in the hotel in March, claimed that he was friends with the MP's son Mahir. Mahir also allegedly sent a cake for Shafat's birthday party, to which the girls were invited.

According to the hotel's Facebook page, it was inaugurated on Apr 9, but in reality it opened several months ago.‎

RAJUK's map shows that Kamal Ataturk Avenue and Road No. 11 are commercial areas in Banani. The other parts of the upscale area are residential, where commercial entities are illegal. Raintree hotel is situated at a residential area.

A RAJUK mobile court cut off the utility lines to the hotel in a drive on Apr 15 and sealed it off.

Executive Magistrate Khandaker Oliur Rahman, who headed the operation, told bdnews24.com on Monday that the hotel had no permission from RAJUK.

"It is illegal to run business in residential areas. They (Raintree) had no permission. That's why we cut off all the connections," he said.

The RAJUK Authorisation Officer for the area, Adiluzzaman, said the hotel authorities broke the seal without permission, which is a breach of law.

Raintree officials claimed they resumed operation following a High Court order staying the operation of the RAJUK raid.

Asked about the matter, Raintree Public Relations Officer Iqbal Hossain said he would relay bdnews24.com's question to the owners.

RAJUK’s legal department Director Rokan Ud Daula, however, said Raintree was not authorised to break the seal even in case of getting a High Court order. "It's the RAJUK's duty," he said.

RAJUK Chairman M Bazlul Karim Chaudhury said legal action would be taken against the hotel.

Jhalakathi MP Haroon did not take phone calls from bdnews24.com.

On Sunday, customs detectives raided the hotel and found several bottles of illegal alcoholic drinks.

The customs is preparing to prosecute the hotel on charges of dodging VAT and duty, and smuggling money.