The baby who was born during a tragic road accident on July 16 that left three of her family members, including her parents, killed in Mymensingh's Trishal is now doing well.
According to sources, the child is currently undergoing treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Doctors have said her physical condition is improving.
The child's right arm was broken in two places when she was born on the road.
Initially, the private hospital CBMC took primary care of her. Later, the baby's father, Jahangir's neighbor Shah Jahan, the owner of Labib Private Hospital, took charge of the treatment.
There, while undergoing treatment for three days, other new mothers breastfed her.
When her physical condition became critical, she was taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.
A five-member medical board was formed there. Doctors have said it will take more than a week for her to fully recover.
Dr Md Nazrul Islam, assistant professor of the Department of Neonatal of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said that the physical condition of the child is better than before.
“Shortness of breath has decreased slightly. In addition, no major complications or infections were found in other tests. Even after that, it will take time to say it is safe as the child has broken bones,” he added.
What does her family say about adoption?
The child's grandfather Mostafizur Rahman said that both his sons lost their lives on the road.
Jahangir had taken care of him but he was also killed, leaving behind three children.
Jahangir left behind two other children– eight-year-old Jannatul Ferdous and five-year-old Ibadat.
Many people have come forward to support the child and her family.
“Two physically challenged children have now fallen into misery with the family. It is not possible for us to raise them. We have decided to put the child up for adoption with someone who can afford the maintenance of the three children,” Mostafizur said.
Bank accounts opened for financial assistance
Bank accounts have been opened to support the child and her two siblings.
On July 18, the district administration opened an account named “Ratna Akhter Rahima's newborn and two other children's support account”. The account number is 3324101028728, Sonali Bank, Trishal branch.
Mostafizur Rahman, grandfather of the newborn, and the Trishal upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) will manage the account.
Meanwhile, Tk1,69,000 has been deposited within two days of account opening.
UNO Aktaruzzaman gave Tk10,000 assistance to the family on behalf of the district administration along with bank account cheque books.
The newborn draws High Court notice
On July 18, a writ was filed in the High Court seeking a directive to the effect that the child's living expenses will be borne by the state for life.
Supreme Court lawyer Syed Mahsib Hossain submitted the writ to the relevant branch of the High Court.
The writ also attached media reports about the child and her parents and sister who died in the accident.
In the writ, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare, and Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges were made defendants.
Later, the High Court ordered the formation of a committee to look after the child.
The Ministry of Social Welfare was asked to form this committee within the next three months.
The High Court also ordered payment of a compensation of Tk5,00,000 to the family of the newborn for the time being.
The Trustee Board formed to pay compensation for road accidents has been asked to pay this amount within the next 15 days.
At the same time, the court has issued a ruling seeking to know why the child and the family will not be given adequate compensation.
Secretary of Women and Child Affairs Ministry, Social Welfare secretary, Road Transport secretary, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Trustee Board chairman and truck owner Manjurul Islam were asked to respond to the rule.
On July 19, Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice Md Zakir Hossain of the High Court bench passed the order.
Killer truck driver sued and arrested
On July 17, the father of Jahangir Alam filed a case under Section 98/105 of the Road Transport Act with Trishal police station on July 17.
Later that night, the intelligence branch of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) headquarters and RAB-14 arrested the killer truck driver Raju Ahmed alias Sipan, 42, from Savar area of Dhaka. He hails from Bagha upazila of Rajshahi.
The police applied for a five-day remand to the court for questioning the accused.
Later, on Wednesday, Mymensingh Chief Judicial Magistrate no 3 Amli Court’s Judge Tajul Islam Sohag denied bail to the accused and granted a two-day remand.
Truck driver Shipon was sent to jail after remand.
At a press conference, RAB Commander Khandaker Al Moin said that all the documents of the truck involved in the accident had gone beyond their expiry dates.
“It had a carrying capacity of seven tons but was carrying 13 and a half tons of cargo at the time of the accident. Day after day, the driver Raju Ahmed aka Shipon drove the truck at breakneck speed. Even on the day of the incident, he was driving recklessly,” he added.
Earlier on July 16, three members of the same family, including a pregnant woman, were killed when a truck ran over them in Court Bhawan area of Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Trishal, Mymensingh.
In this incident, pregnant Ratna Begum's stomach ruptured and a newborn baby girl was born.
The father, mother and sister were killed on the spot but miraculously the child survived.
Later, the baby was rescued and taken to Upazila Health Complex Hospital.