The High Court has directed the United Hospital authorities and families of the victims killed in a fire at the hospital’s isolation unit on May 27 to come to an amicable settlement on compensation by July 12.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim issued the order on Monday after virtual hearings on three separate writ petitions filed on behalf of the victims’ families seeking compensation from the hospital authorities.
The court also asked the police to complete the investigation of a case filed by a victim’s family.
The High Court bench fixed July 13 as the date for passing further orders in this regard.
Barrister Hasan MS Azim, Barrister Aneek R Haque, Barrister Muntasir Uddin Ahmed, Advocate Niaz Muhammad Mahboob, and Barrister Shahida Sultana Shila defended the writs while Barrister Rokanuddin Mahumd, Barrister Tanjib-ul Alam, and Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan stood for United Hospital. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.
Earlier on June 15, a Fire Service and Civil Defence probe report submitted to the High Court said effective measures could have saved the lives of the patients who died in the fire at the Covid-19 unit of United Hospital on May 27.
The report also mentioned negligence on the part of the hospital authorities in preventing and controlling the fire.
