The High Court has ordered the authorities concerned to provide Tk 0.50 million within 15 days to the legal guardian of the baby who was born during a road accident in Mymensingh that left its parents and sister dead.
The bench of Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury and Md Zakir Hossain asked the Chairman of the Trusty Board formed under section 54 of the Road Transport Act to pay the money after hearing a writ petition on Tuesday.
The HC also asked the secretary to the Social Welfare Ministry to form a committee for monitoring the health condition of the infant and continue her treatment, reports UNB.
It asked the committee to submit a progress report within three months.
On Monday, Supreme Court lawyer Kaniz Fatema filed the writ petition seeking compensation for the baby.
Women and Child Affairs Secretary, Social Welfare Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Secretary and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority were made respondents to the writ.
Advocate Syed Mahsib Hossain stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Protikar Chakma and assistant attorney general Rezaul Haque and Mohammad Abbas represented the state.
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the Trusty Board should not be directed to provide compensation to the legal guardian of the baby.
Women and Child Affairs Secretary, Social Welfare Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Secretary and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Trusty Board Chairman and truck owner were made respondents to the rule.
A tragic road accident near court building area in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh left Jahangir Alam, 35, his pregnant wife Ratna Begum, 26, and their daughter Jannat Ara, 2, of Raymani village in the upazila, dead on the spot on July 16.
Jahangir Alam went to Trishal upazila headquarter with his eight-month pregnant wife and daughter for conducting a medical test of his spouse.
While crossing the highway a speeding Mymenshingh-bound truck knocked them down, leaving all three family members dead on the spot.
Miraculously the baby girl was born moments before the mother died on the road and she was taken to upazila health complex by locals.
The newborn was then given treatment at Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) and then at Community Based Medical College Hospital.
