The High Court on Sunday issued a verdict granting Tk 4.62 crore as compensation to family members of noted filmmaker Tareque Masud as he died in a road accident six years ago. His wife also received injuries in the incident.
The prominent filmmaker, Tareque Masud, journalist Mishuk Munier along with three others
died on the spot as a bus collided with the microbus the five were riding on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at Joka in Manikganj on August 13 in 2011.
"As per the HC judgment, Tk 46,175,452 as compensation has to be given to Tareque's wife, son and mother for the death of Tareque and injury of Tareque's wife Catherine Masud," Barrister Sara Hossain, counsel of the family members of Tareque, told the Daily Observer.
Earlier in February this year, the trial court handed down life imprisonment to driver Jamir Uddin in the case of death for which transport workers went on a two-day countrywide strike.
According to the HC verdict, the bus driver, Jamir Uddin has to pay Tk 30 lakh as compensation, the insurance company to give Tk 80,000 and the three proprietors of the transport service to pay the rest of the compensation money equally by three months after getting the full text of the judgment.
The High Court bench of Justice Zinat Ara and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo came up with the decision after hearing a compensation case lodged by Tareque's wife Catherine Masud, son Nishad Masud and mother Nurun Nahar.
Following the fatal road accident, the families of Tareque and Mishuk lodged two separate cases with the lower court in Manikganj under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance on February 13 in 2012 seeking compensation for the death.
Co-owners of Chuadanga Delux Paribahan -- Kashed Miah, Khokon Miah and Jahnagir Kabir (Tunin) -- and the driver, Jamir Uddin, and Reliance Insurance Company were made accused in the cases.
Later in response to pleas of the families of the two deceased, the High Court transferred the two compensation cases to itself from the lower court.
The High Court gave verdict on the case of Tareque's families on Sunday while it is yet to give verdict on the case of Mishuk as it fixed February 4 next year for hearing, said Barrister Sara.
In the case, Catherine Masud sought compensation for the loss of care, protection, nursing and affection of Tareque Masud and his family members, loss of dependency suffered by the family members, losses of income, future advancement, estate, medical expenses of claimant, funeral expenses and damage of property (microbus).
