HC orders Tazreen victim's treatment at govt cost

This Star photo taken on September 19 shows, from left, Lipi Khatun, Shahnaz Begum, Rajia Bibi, Mukta Banu, Ruma Begum, Reba Khatun and Ale Noor. All seven were injured in the deadly fire at Tazreen Fashions last year, and are yet to fully recover. Currently unemployed, they gathered at Ale Noor’s house, adjacent to the factory in Nishchintapur of Savar.

The High Court directed the government on Monday to provide better treatment to a victim of deadly Tazreen garment factory fire.

Now the head of the Directorate General of Health Services has to ensure treatment of Sumaya Khatun in 72 hours at government's cost.

The fire at Tazreen Fashions Ltd at Ashulia in Savar on November 24 last year killed at least 111 people and injured many others.

Monday's directive follows three writ petitioners mentioning Sumaya, who has been seriously injured in the fire, is now suffering from cancerous tumor in her brain.

Three anthropologists-- Naznin Akter Banu, Saydia Gulrukh Kamal and Mahmudul Hasan Sumon filed the petitions on April 28.

They also sought directives on the government to arrest the factory owner, Md Delwar Hossain, to ensure his trial for criminal liabilities.

They recently submitted a supplementary petition along with the writ petition, saying Sumaya is now undergoing treatment at UnitedHospital in Dhaka at the cost of the petitioners.

In this situation, the government should take responsibility for the treatment, the petitioners said, adding that Sumaya has to be given radiotherapy five times a week, which will cost Tk 35,000.

After hearing the petition, the HC also ordered the inspector general of police to get the report of DNA tests of 24 workers of Tazreen, who are still now missing, and to submit the report to it by October 3.

Tazreen owner Delwar appeared before the HC on Monday as per its earlier order.

He has to appear again before the HC on October 3 in connection with the case.