Authorities asked to pay Tk 3 lakh for victim’s treatment

The High Court yesterday ordered the authorities of a launch, MV Yead, to give Tk 3 lakh for treatment of Jaima Newaz Tisha, a child who lost toes of her right leg after the vessel hit her at Fatullah launch terminal in December, 2017.

Launch owner Mamunur Rashid, its masters Abdur Rauf and Nasir Uddin Gazi, and drivers Md Swapan, Md Faruk Hossain and Moniruzzaman have been directed to pay the money in 15 days.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government and MV Yead to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to pay Tk 50 lakh to Jaima for her treatment and sufferings.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Ain o Shalish Kendra (ASK) and Jaima’s father Md Jamal Gazi. 

Advocate Anisul Hasan, a lawyer for petitioners, told The Daily Star that Jaima got seriously wounded after the launch hit her on December 29, 2017. She was six years old at the time.

The authorities failed to take necessary steps to punish the perpetrators, he said, adding that Jaima is still undergoing treatment. The lawyer said Jaima’s father, a rickshaw-puller, cannot afford her treatment expenses.

Jamal filed a criminal case with South Keraniganj Police Station in February 2018, but no action was taken in this regard, said Advocate Hasan. The accused reportedly threatened Jamal to withdraw the case, he added.

ASK and Jaima’s father filed the petition on October 24 that year, seeking HC directives on authorities to give Tk 50 lakh to Jaima as compensation and treatment cost.

Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.