HC forms body to unearth reasons

The High Court (HC) on Monday formed a seven-member committee to find out reasons behind the Bailey Road building fire that killed at least 46 people on February 29.
The committee has been asked to submit a probe report within four months.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and representatives from the home ministry, the two Dhaka city corporations, the Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have been included in the committee.
The HC also asked the Rajuk and the FSCD to set up signboards on vulnerable buildings so that people can be aware of risks.
The HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque passed the order after hearing two writ petitions filed by Supreme Court lawyers Md Eunus Ali Akond and Ishrat Jahan.
It also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why their failure in taking punitive action against those who violated the Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Act and Building Code should not be declared illegal.
Two petitions were filed on Sunday, seeking necessary directives on fire incidents, including the Bailey Road fire.
Lawyers Eunus Ali and Ishrat Jahan stood for hearing on their writ petitions while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state.
Another HC bench issued a rule upon the bodies concerned of the government to explain as to why they should not be directed to provide adequate compensation for the fire victims.
It also wanted to know in the rule to explain as why the arbitrary permission to operate commercial business in residential areas shall not be declared illegal.
The home secretary, the DFSCD director general and the Rajuk chairman have been asked to comply with the rule.
The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) and Supreme Court lawyer Najmus Sakib.
Barrister Sara Hossain, Barrister Aneeq R Haque and several other lawyers appeared in the hearing.
The HC also directed the authorities concerned of the government to submit a detailed report on fire incidents in high-rise buildings, factories and establishments in 2023 and 2024,

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