The High Court yesterday ordered the Green Line Paribahan to pay Tk 50 lakh by Wednesday to Russel Sarker, who lost his left leg after a Green Line bus hit him in the city’s Dolairpar area on April 28 last year. The HC bench comprising Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the order after hearing a writ petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer   seeking adequate compensation for Russel.

Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order that had, on March 12, asked Green Line Paribahan to pay Tk 50 lakh to Russel Sarker.

The HC had also fixed March 31 for next hearing and asked the authorities concerned to submit a report on Russel’s medical expense. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday rejected the petition filed by Green Line Paribahan seeking a stay on the High Court order.

Now, Green Line Paribahan must pay Tk 50 lakh to Russel Sarker by Wednesday as compensation and for his treatment purposes following the Supreme Court order, Advocate Khandaker Shamsul Haque Reza, counsel for Russel said.

Russell Sarkar, 23, a private service driver, lost his leg on April 28 after a coach of Green Line Paribahan hit from behind a car he was driving, as it was stationary on the slope of Hanif Flyover in Dolairpar. This prompted Russell to step out of the car to assess the damage to the car.

As he signaled the bus not to move, bus driver Kabir Hossain sped away, hitting Russel.  Getting information, police rushed to the scene and seized the bus along with the driver from near the National Press Club.

The HC, in the rule on May 14, 2018, had ordered the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to strictly enforce relevant laws and rules for safe movement of road users.

It had also asked the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to formulate a new law and prevent reckless driving and road accidents in future.

The HC ruling came after Supreme Court lawyer Umme Kulsum Smrity, on May 13, 2018, filed the writ petition seeking necessary order on the respondents to compensate Russel for his damaged leg and stop rash driving.

Khandaker Shamsul Haq Reza represented the petitioner, while Mohammad Ajiullah stood for Green Line Paribahan and deputy attorney general Abdullah al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.