The High Court has ordered the government to explain why some its officials should not be held liable for negligence and face legal action for the death of a man, after he fell into an open manhole in Dhaka's Paltan on Monday.
The bench of Justice Kazi Rezaul Haque and Justice Mohammad Ullah issued the suo moto ruling yesterday.
The court also asked why the authorities concerned have not been ordered to compensate the victim's family.
The victim, a 45-year-old man who is yet to be identified, fell into a manhole which water supply authority Dhaka Wasa had kept open for cleaning. He was declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Witnesses say a 40sq ft manhole in front of Paltan Tower was left open for several days without any warning signs.
Fire fighters rescued him around 7:20pm in an unconscious state. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The bench also asked the Wasa managing director and Dhaka South City Corporation chief executive officer to be present before the court on March 19 to explain their institutions' roles in the incident.
The LGRD secretary, Dhaka South City Corporation chief executive officer, executive engineer of drainage department, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, and officer-in-charge of Paltan police station have been made respondents to the ruling.
The court observed that such acts of negligence should not go unpunished.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
