SC verdict on compensation to Rajib's family tomorrow

DHAKA, May 21, 2018 (BSS) - The Supreme Court (SC) will pass its judgement tomorrow on an appeal against a High Court order that directed BRTC and Swajan Paribahan to pay Taka one crore to the family of Rajib Hossain, who died of his injuries in a city hospital on April 17 following an accident in the capital on April 3.

A four-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain set the date after holding hearing on the matter.

The High Court on May 8 ordered the authorities of two bus companies to pay Taka one crore to the family of Rajib.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice A.K.M. Zahirul Hoque passed the order, asking BRTC authorities and the owner of Swajan Paribahan to pay Taka fifty lakh each in compensation.

Later on May 10, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) filed an appeal, pleading for staying the High Court order for compensation. Hearing too was held on the matter on May 17 and today.

Rajib Hossain, a third year bachelor degree student of Government Titumir College, died on April 17, ending a two-week struggle for life after losing his right hand being trapped between two speedy buses at Sonargaon Crossing in the city on April 3.

The court in its order said the money would be deposited in the joint account of Rajib's aunt Jahanara Begum and their relative customs official Omar Faruk. The court ordered them to open the account at the Motijheel branch of Sonali Bank Limited.

"The court asked the two bus companies to deposit half of the total amount and file a report on complying court's order by June 25. The court after that will pass direction on how the rest of the amount will be paid," Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kazal, who moved a writ in this regard, said on that day.

Rajib was living in a mess at Jatrabari with his two younger brothers, Mehedi Hasan, a class seven student, and Abdullah, a class six student of Tamirul Millat Madrasha.

Rajib lost his mother when he was in class three and father in class eight and he had been guardian of his two younger brothers since then.