Child Electrocuted in Barishal: HC issues rule over compensation

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in two weeks why they should not be directed to give adequate compensation to seven-year-old Md Zubayer Rahman from Barishal's Muladi who lost his hands in electrocution.

Energy and resources secretary, chairman of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, general manager of Bangladesh Pally Bidyut Samity and 11 other officials concerned have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the rule and order following a petition filed by Zubayer's father Tofazzal Hossain seeking its order on respondents to give him Tk 2 crore as compensation.

Petitioner's lawyer Abdullah Al Mahbub said Zubayer was electrocuted on October 15. An electricity line was illegally set over a two-storey house of the petitioner although he earlier applied to the office concerned to relocate the cable line. Zubayer was admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment, but his left hand had to be amputated and his right hand became out of order, the lawyer said.

On Monday, the same HC bench issued a rule asking authorities to explain in a week why they should not be directed to give compensation to Raqibuzzaman (7) from Satkhira who lost his right hand and leg after being electrocuted.