Satkhira child electrocution: HC issues rule over compensation

The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in a week why they should not be directed to give compensation to child Raqibuzzaman who lost his right hand and right leg after being electrocuted by an electricity cable in Satkhira.

Energy and resources secretary, chairman of Rural Electricity Development Board, general manager of Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Samity (Rural Electricity Association) and zonal manager of Satkhira Palli Bidyut Samity, its project director, deputy commissioner, and chief electricity inspector of Satkhira have been made respondents to the rule.

At the same time, the court asked Dr Samanta Lal Sen, director of Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute, to inform this court about what treatment is needed for Raqibuzzaman at home and abroad.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the rule and order following a writ petition filed by Raqibuzzaman's father Abdur Razzak Dhali seeking its order on the respondents to give him Tk 100 crore as compensation.

Writ petitioner's lawyer Mohammad Tariqul Islam told reporters that a capless electricity line was illegally set over the two-storey house of the petitioner on March 20 although he earlier requested the office concerned not to do that.

The petitioner's son Raqibuzzaman was electrocuted in May due to the illegal connection of the electricity supply over their house at Protapnagar, he added.