Insulate power lines to prevent electrocution
HC orders DPDC, asks state to explain why family of 7-year-old victim should not get Tk 1cr in compensation
The High Court yesterday directed Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) to ensure in 60 days that its power lines are electrically insulated to prevent electrocution in Jigatola area of Dhaka.
The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah, in response to a writ petition, also ordered Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities to bear the treatment expenses of Rafsan Noor -- a seven-year-old who was electrocuted by an 11,000-volt stray wire at Jigatola -- from state funds.
In addition, the HC issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks as to why they should not be directed to compensate Tk 1 crore to the family of the victim (Rafsan).
The HC in its rule asked them to show causes why their failure to set up safe electrical lines at Jigatola should not be declared illegal.
The order and rule were issued after Rafsan's father Advocate KM Rezaul Firoj filed the writ petition.
Advocates Amit Das Gupta and Muntasir Mahmud Rahman appeared for the petitioner.
Muntasir told The Daily Star that on November 27, Rafsan suffered 20 percent burn injury after he came in touch with an exposed live wire as he tried to catch a bird through the window of his house at Jigatola near Dhanmondi. He is now undergoing treatment at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he added.