Barguna, Dec. 25 -- Two crumbling buildings, relics of a bygone era, have become a looming threat to nearly 20,000 people who frequent the Amtali Upazila Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Barguna.

Built more than half a century ago, the abandoned structures now stand as silent hazards, shedding bricks and cement onto a passage used daily by litigants, lawyers and court staff.

A recent visit to the site paints a troubling picture. The narrow main entrance to the court runs directly between the two decaying, two-storey buildings, forcing thousands of visitors each day to pass beneath unstable walls. Chunks of masonry have already fallen, heightening fears that a sudden collapse could trigger a serious disaster.

The buildings were const...