The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday ordered bus company 'Sajan Paribahan' to give Tk 10 lakh in damages to the family of Govt Titumir College student Rajib Hasan, who was killed in a road accident in the city, within one month. A four-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing an appeal filed by ‘Sajan Paribahan’. Rajib lost his right arm after he was trapped between two buses in the city’s Banglamotor area on April 4 last year. He succumbed to his injuries on April 17 that year.
Advocate Shafiqul Islam Babul stood for the transport company while Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajal argued for Rajib’s family. The apex court said 'Sajan Paribahan' will have to pay Tk 10 lakh in damages to the victim’s family and then it will take into consideration their appeal.
It also said it will take into consideration the matter of compensation to be provided by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BTRC).
Babul said the High Court has already released the copy of its verdict and they will file a leave-to-appeal petition challenging the order. On June 20 last, the High Court ordered two bus companies to give Tk 50 lakh in damages to the family of Rajib within two months.
The owners of 'Sajan Paribahan' were asked to pay Tk 25 lakh while the BTRC the remaining amount, the court said. On April 4 last year, the court sought explanations from the authorities concerned on why directives should not be issued to provide Tk 1 crore as compensation to Rajib.
The High Court on May 8 of the same year ordered owners of 'Sajan Paribahan' and BRTC to pay Tk 50 lakh each (Tk 1 crore in total) to Rajib's family. But the order was stayed by the Appellate Division on May 22. The apex court directed the High Court to form an independent committee to fix the compensation and find out who is responsible for the accident. On May 30, 2018, the High Court formed a three-member committee to identify those responsible for the accident and fix compensation.
