The High Court on Monday issued a ruling asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain as to why they should not be directed to form a fund as per the law to compensate the victims of road accidents and to meet their medical expenses.
The High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after holding a primary hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard.
In the ruling, the court wanted to know as to why the respondents should not be directed to immediately form a 'financial assistance fund' and a 'board of trustees' for operating the fund by implementing Sections 53 and 54 of the Road Transport Act 2018.
Road Transport and Highways Division secretary, law secretary, finance secretary, senior secretary of the Public Safety Department of the home ministry, and chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) have been asked to comply with the ruling within four weeks.
Advocate Monoj Kumar Bhowmick appeared in the hearing on behalf of the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar represented the state.
Monoj Kumar said, "Every year, thousands of people get injured in road accidents, while many others die. According to the Road Transport Act 2018, a fund and a trustee board are supposed to be formed for compensating road accident victims and their families."
However, no fund or trustee board has been formed in the last three years, he said, adding that the government had taken no steps to this end.
That's why the plaintiffs sent a legal notice to the authorities concerned on 17 August in this regard.
But due to non-response from them, a writ was filed with the HC on Sunday challenging their inactions, he further added.
According to the annual report of the Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association, a total of 5,397 accidents - comprising roads, railways and waterways - took place in the country last year that killed 7,317 people and injured 9,021 others.
As many as 6,686 people lost their lives and 8,600 were injured in a total of 4,891 road accidents in 2020 in Bangladesh.
