Families of those killed in bus sinking in Padma demand Tk 1 crore compensation

Advocate Nawazul Asif Saad, Barrister Rafi G Rahman and Advocate Zayed Bin Naser have sent the public interest notice in the wake of the accident that took place on Pontoon No. 3 in Daulatdia on Wednesday (March 25) afternoon.

The Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, the Minister of Shipping, the State Minister in charge of the Bridges Division of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the Secretary of the Bridges Division and the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping have been made respondents. Advocate Nawazul Asif Saad, Barrister Rafi G Rahman and Advocate Zayed Bin Naser jointly sent the notice.

The notice states that although the incident initially appears to be an accident, it is important to determine through an impartial and transparent investigation whether the negligence and dereliction of duty of the concerned authorities, ferry management, transport authority or responsible persons was behind it.

On Wednesday (March 25), at around 5:15 pm, a bus of 'Souhardyo' transport plying on the Kumarkhali-Rajbari route lost control and fell into the river while boarding a ferry at Pontoon No. 3 of Daulatdia Ghat in Rajbari. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered.

The legal notice mentions that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure immediate and proper treatment of the injured as well as to take measures to compensate and rehabilitate the injured who are able to work. The concerned ministries and departments have been called upon to take necessary steps in this regard within the next seven working days by coordinating. The notice also warns that legal action will be taken otherwise.

In addition, a high-level investigation committee has been formed to investigate the real cause of the accident, and a demand has been made to make the investigation report public within seven working days and to take legal action against those responsible.

Regarding the legal notice, Advocate Newazul Asif Saad said that the notice has been sent in the public interest. Since it was not possible to send it by post due to lack of time, the notice was first sent via e-mail. He said that it will also be sent to the concerned department by post on the next working day.