The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed until December 1 a High Court order that asked Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company to make an initial payment of Tk 5 lakh in compensation to each family of 37 people, who died or became injured in the recent Narayanganj mosque explosion.
Chamber Judge Md Nuruzzaman also posted for December 1 hearing in the separate applications filed by the government and the Titas gas seeking permission to appeal against the High Court order.
On September 9, the bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam asked Titas managing director to deposit the money within seven days to the Narayanganj deputy commissioner, who would disburse the amount among the victims’ family members as exigency cost.
The court also asked the authorities concerned and Titas to explain in four weeks why the company should not be directed to compensate each family with Tk 50 lakh.
The court issued the directive and ruling after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by lawyer Mar-e-um Khondaker, a resident of Narayanganj City Corporation.
Power, energy and home affairs secretaries, Narayanganj City Corporation mayor, Titas Gas MD and Narayanganj Zonal office deputy general manager, district’s deputy commissioner and superintendent of police and Baitus Salat Jame Masjid mosque committee were made respondents in the writ petition.
Thirty-one people died so far at the explosion in the mosque at Fatullah on September 4.
