ZCZC
BSS-26
SC-COMPENSATION-VICTIM-UNITED
SC orders to give Tk 25 lakh to each family of United Hospital fire victims
DHAKA, April 29, 2021 (BSS) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today ordered United Hospital authorities to give within one month Taka 25 lakh each to the families of four patients, killed in a fire that engulfed the hospital’s makeshift Corona Unit on May 27, 2020.
The Appellate Division full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order, after holding a hearing on a plea to stay a High Court order passed earlier in this regard.
“The apex court ordered to give Taka 25 lakh to each victim’s families and to give it within one month. As the family of another victim has already reached a consensus regarding the compensation, the court did not pass any order regarding them,” Barrister Anik R Haque, who moved a petition filed in this regard, told BSS.
The High Court on January 11 had ordered United Hospital authorities to give Taka 30 lakh each to the families of those four patients.
A High Court virtual bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim passed that order after holding a hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Niaz Mohammad Mahboob.
Vernon Anthony Paul, Riyajul Alam, Khodeja Begum, Md Monir Hossain and Md Mahbub were burnt to death in the fire that engulfed the makeshift Corona Isolation Unit raised on the premises of the hospital.
BSS/DA/TRAN/MHR/FI/ 1624 hrs