HC rule on how to avert deaths in gas explosions

The High Court (HC) has issued a rule on Monday asking the authorities to explain why they should not be directed to take safety measures to prevent deaths in gas explosions throughout the country, reports bdnews24.com.

Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Quader passed the rule after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed in public interest.

The court also asked the respondents to show why their inaction to take necessary steps to prevent explosions should not be declared illegal.

Five respondents including-secretary of the power, energy and mineral resources ministry, chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, director general of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence and chief of Department of Explosives-will have to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Supreme Court lawyer Amit Das Gupta, who filed the writ petition, said: "Gas accidents are happening almost every day due to leaks in pipeline or cylinder blasts, causing tragic deaths.

Several families had lost everything to those accidents.

The lives have been devastated. This situation cannot be expected to continue."

"It is a surprise that nobody took responsibility for those accidents. The victims and their families did not get any compensation. That's why I filed a writ petition and attached a newspaper report along with it.

The court issued the rule after a preliminary hearing."

On Nov 19, 2018, the Daily Samakal had published a report titled 'Be Alert about Death Traps: Gas Pipe Leaks and Cylinder Blasts, No One Taking Responsibility."

The report cited a Nov 14 gas cylinder blast in the capital's Jatrabari area that left two children dead and five others injured.