DHAKA (TIP): Four-months after Bangladesh‘s worst terror attack on an upscale cafe here in the capital’s diplomatic enclave, authorities have returned the eatery where 22 people, including an Indian girl, were killed during a bloody siege by Islamist militants.

Police handed over the Holey Artisan Bakery to the owner of the plot, Samira Ahmed, on Sunday, following a court order, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said.

Samira’s husband along with his friends had started the Holey Artisan Bakery in 2014, bdnews24.com reported.

The cafe in Dhaka’s diplomatic district was popular with foreigners because of its food, lakeside view and sprawling grass-lawn.

The cafe was attacked by a group of militants on July 1, who took around 30 people, mostly foreigners, hostage in the cafe.

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

Indian girl Tarishi, 18, who was among the hostages was also killed by the attackers.

Two police officers were also killed in the operation. The police took control of the cafe to preserve the evidence in the aftermath of the attack.

Later, questions were raised over the illegal commercial use of the property.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain had warned that the owner of the cafe would have to face action for opening it illegally. (PTI)