HC issues rule over compensation

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking authorities concerned to explain in a week why they should not be directed to compensate child Raqibuzzaman, who lost his right hand and right leg after being electrocuted by a cable in Satkhira.

Energy and resources secretary, chairperson of Rural Electricity Development Board, general manager of Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Samity (Rural Electricity Association), 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 the 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 the child Tk 100 crore as compensation.

Writ petitioner's lawyer Mohammad Tariqul Islam told reporters that an electricity line was illegally set up over the two-storey house of the petitioner on March 20, although petitioner earlier requested the office concerned not to do that. Raqibuzzaman was electrocuted in May, due to the illegal connection at Protapnagar, he added.