United Hospital Fire: HC asks for probe reports
May consider ordering compensation for victims’ families
The High Court yesterday sought separate probe reports -- from four authorities concerned -- on the deadly fire at the corona isolation unit in United Hospital that killed five patients on May 27.
The authorities of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), Fire Service and Civil Defence, Criminal Investigation Department of Police and United Hospital authorities were ordered to submit their respective probe reports to the court by June 14.
The court said it may consider passing an order for compensation to the victims' families if they move any petition.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim came up with the order following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Mahbub seeking necessary orders.
Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder told The Daily Star that the High Court ordered Rajuk to find out whether the provisions of Bangladesh National Building Code were properly followed when constructing the United Hospital, including the its coronavirus isolation unit.
According to the order, the Fire Service and Civil Defence will have to mention in its report whether there was any negligence on the part of the hospital authorities regarding the incident.
The CID will explain in its report who are responsible for the fire and deaths of the patients, he said, adding that the office of Inspector General of Police will submit the CID's probe report.
The United Hospital authorities have been asked to state in its report about their findings, DAG Amit Talukder added.
The HC bench came up with the order while holding a virtual hearing on the writ petition through a video conference.
Advocate Mohammad Mahbub submitted the writ petition as a public interest litigation to the High Court on Sunday seeking it's directives on the authorities concerned to give Tk 5 crore to each victim's family, and to take necessary action against the persons responsible for the incident.
In the petition, the lawyer included the reports published in The Daily Star and the Prothom Alo, saying that there was negligence on part of the authorities concerned in rescuing the victims.558