The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to pay appropriate compensation to the family of Rafida Khan Raifa, who died due to ‘wrong treatment’ at a private hospital in Chattogram on June 2. It also asked the authorities concerned to explain why legal actions should not be taken against the doctors and hospital authority whose negligence led to the death of Raifa.

It also asked the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to set a guideline for ascertaining compensation for injuries and deaths caused by medical negligence and wrong treatment.

The health secretary, additional health secretary (hospital), president of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, Max Hospital’s doctor Bidhan Roy Chowdhury, Debashish Sengupta and Shubhra Deb have been made respondents to reply to the rule within four weeks.

The HC bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Raifa’s father journalist Md Rubel Khan seeking necessary directives for compensation.

Raifa Khan (3) died reportedly due to wrong treatment at Max Hospital in the early morning of June 29 after she was admitted there with pain in her throat.

A government investigation led by the Chottagram civil surgeon found negligence of doctors in treating her.

The committee also recommended punitive actions against three Max Hospital doctors -- Liakot Ali, Debasis Sengupta and Shuvro Deb.

A week after Raifa’s death, members of Rapid Action Battalion raided the hospital and fined it for various irregularities. In response, owners of private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres enforced a 20-hour strike in the port city Chattogram.

Advocate Tajul Islam and Barrister Mohammad Enam stood for the petitioner.