HC order Tk2cr compensation for metro victim’s family

Staff Reporter :

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the family of Abul Kalam Azad — a pedestrian who was killed after being struck by a falling bearing pad from the metro rail structure in Dhaka — should not be compensated with Tk 2 crore.

At the same time, the court has directed the authorities to form an expert committee to investigate overall safety issues and causes of such accidents involving the metro rail system. The committee has been ordered to submit its report within 30 days.

The order came on Wednesday (October 29) from a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan. Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun and Advocate Tanvir Ahmed represented the petitioners during the hearing.

Earlier on Monday, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun filed two separate writ petitions with the High Court.

One petition sought directions to form a committee to examine the quality and durability of bearing pads used in metro rail and flyover projects across the country. The other petition demanded financial compensation for the family of the victim, Abul Kalam Azad.

The petitions stated that it is essential to ensure the safety standards of the materials used in these large-scale infrastructure projects to prevent further loss of life.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday (October 26) in the Farmgate area of the capital, when a bearing pad suddenly detached from a metro rail pillar and struck Abul Kalam Azad on the head as he was walking beneath. Bystanders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The deceased, Abul Kalam Azad, hailed from Isharapati village in Naria upazila of Shariatpur district.

The court’s move has drawn attention to the growing concern over public safety and construction oversight in ongoing mega infrastructure projects.

Observers say the case could set an important precedent regarding accountability and compensation in infrastructure-related fatalities.