Pay compensation to Russel by April 10 or face confiscation: HC

The High Court on Thursday directed the owner of Green Line Paribahan to pay Tk 50 lakh by April 10 to Russel Sarkar who lost his leg in an accident on April 28, last year.

A HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order following a petition.

The HC also warned that it would confiscate all the buses of the transport company if it fails to pay the amount within the stipulated time. “If you fail to pay, stop selling bus tickets from April 11 to avoid public sufferings,” said the court.

Russel, 23, a private car driver, lost his leg on April 28 last year as a bus of Green Line Paribahan had hit his vehicle from behind on Hanif Flyover in Dholaipar on that day. He got down from his car and signaled the bus to stop but driver Kabir Hossain drove his coach over him and fled the scene. Russel's left leg got severed from his thigh down.

Earlier in the day, the court summoned the manager of Green Line Paribahan and asked him to appear before the court by 2 pm and explain his failure to provide Tk 50 lakh to Russel Sarkar.

Following the order, general manager of the transport company Abdus Sattar appeared before the court and informed it that the owner of the company went to India for treatment on March 29 and will return on April 9.

The court also fixed April 10 to announce its verdict on the case.

Khandaker Shamsul Haq Reza stood for the petitioner while Advocate Ajiullah represented Green Line.

Earlier on March 31, the Appellate Division upheld a High Court Division order asking Green Line Paribahan to pay Tk 50 lakh to accident victim Russel Sarkar.

A four-member Appellate bench, headed led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, issued the order rejecting an appeal by the company seeking a stay on the High Court’s order.

Later, the HC bench on March 31 asked the Green Line Paribahan authorities to submit a progressing report after providing the compensation money.

But as the Green Line Paribahan authorities failed to comply with the court order, the High Court expressed its annoyance and said the operation of Green Line Paribahan service would be suspended if they fail to provide the compensation money to the victim, if needed.

The High Court also said all the vehicles of Green Line Paribahan will be put on auction after confiscating those to provide the compensation.

Earlier on May 14 last year, the High Court asked Green Line Paribahan to explain within four weeks why Russel should not get Tk 1 crore as compensation.

On March 12 this year, the court ordered the company to pay Tk 50 lakh to Russel in two weeks as compensation and for his treatment.

Source: unb