The High Court (HC) on Monday issued a rule questioning why compensation of Tk4.22 crore will not be granted to an 11-year-old boy who lost his left arm due to electrocution in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni, and his family.
The rule also sought to know why the negligence and inaction in taking necessary measures in this incident by concerned parties would not be declared illegal.
Power Division secretary, chairman of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, chairman and general manager of Feni Palli Bidyut Samity, deputy general manager of Chhagalnaiya Palli Bidyut Office, and owner of the concerned house, Sheikh Azizul Haque Nishan, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
Advocate Md Monirul Islam Miah, the petitioner's lawyer, confirmed the information.
The rule was issued earlier on Sunday by a High Court bench of Justices KM Kamrul Kader and Mohammad Showkat Ali Chowdhury.
Rezaul Karim Sohag Sarkar, the father of the child, used to live on rent in the house of Sheikh Azizul Haque Nishan, son of Sheikh Abul Hossain Master.
The incident took place on July 31, 2022, at around 4pm when Rezaul Karim Sohag Sarkar's 11-year-old son Rafi was playing on the balcony of the concerned house with a steel measuring tape.
The tape accidentally touched an uncovered live electric wire, causing severe burns to Rafi's left hand and various parts of his body.
Following the electric shock, Rafi was taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
There, his left hand had to be amputated for treatment.
Now, a prosthetic hand will cost Tk40 lakh, and Tk22 lakh has already been spent on medical treatment.
Rafi's father claimed a total loss of Tk4.22 crore, including Tk3.60 crore for future compensation due to the disability.
The matter was brought to the attention of the Deputy General Manager of Chhagalnaiya Palli Bidyut Office, but no action was taken.
The child's father then filed a writ petition in the High Court as a plaintiff.
