12 August 2024

Press Release

BLAST demands an end to the prolonged legal proceedings of cases filed by all victims of negligent road accidents, and calls for the effective implementation of the existing compensation fund under the law

On 13 August 2011, globally recognised filmmaker Tareque Masud, ATN News CEO Ashfaque (Mishuk) Munier, and three of their colleagues were tragically killed in a road accident. On this 13th death anniversary, BLAST demands expedite justice and adequate compensation for all victims of road accidents, accountability of those who responsible, and the implementation of the existing compensation fund.

Notably, students across the country have been engaged in road safety and traffic control efforts for the past few days. They had previously demanded a road safety law. To commemorate the 13th death anniversary of filmmaker Tareque Masud and ATN News CEO Ashfaque (Mishuk) Munir, and all victims of road accidents, BLAST will be organizing a candlelight vigil on 13 August 2024, at the “Road Accident” memorial located on the road divider near Shamsunnahar Hall of University of Dhaka. The event aims reiterate the demands for justice and the implementation of the compensation fund according to the law.

With the 13th death anniversary of Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier approaching, Tareque’s wife and filmmaker Catherine Masud said, “Seven years have passed since the High Court delivered its verdict in our compensation claim case, and the appeal pending before the Appellate Division has not yet been heard. We hope that with the recent positive changes, the Appellate Division will expedite the hearing of this long-pending case and ensure justice.” We are concerned that although the Road Transport Act was enacted in 2018 to ensure the safe movement of people on roads, it is not being implemented properly. Additionally, although the Act mentions a compensation fund for
victims of negligent accidents, it has not been implemented effectively.

Therefore, BLAST’s demands are as follows:

1. Implementation of the compensation fund for victims of negligent accidents as stipulated in the existing

Road Transport Act, 2018.
2. Necessary legal reforms to include provisions for adequate financial compensation considering the
importance of passenger safety.
3. Considering negligent road accidents as a humanitarian disaster, it is necessary to introduce a mandatory
and integrated (similar for sea, road, and air) passenger insurance system considering the working time of the
deceased and injured persons, the mental and physical damage of other dependent family members due to
death, and their long-term financial loss for well-being and livelihood.
4. To include a provision in the law that the insurance money should not be included as compensation money
in any way and the concerned institution should directly provide the insurance money to the affected family.

Context:

On 13 August 2011, renowned filmmaker Tareque Masud, ATN News CEO Ashfaque Munier (Mishuk Munier), and three other colleagues, total five persons were tragically killed in a road accident near Jocka area in Ghior Upazila, Manikganj. A microbus carrying them collided with a Chuadanga-bound bus (Chuadanga Deluxe). Three others were seriously injured in the incident. Following a landmark High Court verdict in a compensation case filed by Tareque Masud’s mother, wife, and child, separate appeals by the bus owners and the plaintiffs are pending before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a compensation case filed by Mishuk Munier’s family is currently underway. It’s noteworthy that on 14 August 2011, immediately after the accident, Advocate Z.I. Khan Panna, BELA, and three other lawyers filed a public interest litigation (PIL) (7401/2011) in the High Court, seeking regular monitoring of road and highway safety, accountability of the concerned authorities, and ensuring compensation for the victims. This case is currently awaiting a hearing.