The High Court has ordered the owners of launch MV Yaad to pay Tk3 lakh within 15 days, for the medical treatment of eight-year-old Zaima Newaz.
On December 29, 2017, Zaima who was six at the time, lost her toes and part of her right leg in an accident caused by the launch boat at Fatullah launch terminal in Narayanganj.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the order yesterday, after hearing a petition jointly filed by rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra, and Zaima’s father, Md Jamal Gazi.
The court also issued a rule asking the government and the launch owners concerned to explain why they should not be directed to give Tk50 lakh in compensation to Zaima and her family.
In the ruling, the court also asked them why their failure to ensure Zaima’s security at the launch terminal should not be declared illegal.
Twelve people, including the secretary to the Shipping Ministry, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority chairman, Department of Shipping director, Narayanganj City Corporation mayor, deputy commissioner of Narayanganj district, and MV Yaad’s owner Mamunur Rashid and Manager Moniruzzaman, were made respondents and were asked to respond in four weeks.
On February 13, 2018, over a month after the accident, Zaima’s father Jamal had filed a case at Keraniganj police station against six people, including launch owner Mamunur.
The petition seeking necessary orders was filed with the High Court on October 24.
According to media reports, Mamunur and his associates had been threatening the victim’s family to have them withdraw the case Jamal had filed. The family also reportedly started living in hiding following the threats.
Zaima’s mother Nazmun Nahar also filed another case at Amtoli police station in Barguna in this regard.
Barrister Anisul Hasan and Advocate Shahinuzzaman Shaheen on Sunday stood for the petitioners in court, while Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.
The court’s orders came after Anisul, during the hearing, drew attention to a report published in a national daily concerning the situation.
