The High Court today declared the 18-storied tower constructed by Concord Group on the land of Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage at the capital's Azimpur area confiscated on behalf of the orphanage, saying that the structure was built illegally on its land.

Delivering verdict on a writ petition, the court directed Concord Group authorities to handover the possession of the building and other properties built on the land to the orphanage in 30 days.

The HC ruled that if the Concord Group does not handover the ownership of the structures in 30 days, the concerned government authorities will take over the possession on behalf of the orphanage.

It also ordered the authorities to protect and preserve the properties of the orphanage and to develop them in the interest of the orphanage.

The HC declared the deeds and power of attorney given by the president and secretary to Concord Group for handing over the land on July 22, 2013 and April 13, 2014 scrapped, as the deeds and power of attorney have became void ab initio (dead from birth), petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.

The HC bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque came up with the judgment after hearing a writ petition filed by four students of the orphanage .