High Court Orders Formation Of Probe Committee On Bailey Road Fire

Following the tragic fire at a building on Bailey Road in Dhaka that claimed 46 lives, the High Court has directed the formation of a probe committee to investigate the matter.

The committee, chaired by the home secretary, will include representatives from the police, RAJUK, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and both Dhaka North and South City Corporations, as well as experts from BUET.

It has been tasked with identifying the cause of the fire and the individuals responsible and must submit its report within four months. The court has also instructed the committee to recommend fire safety measures for buildings in Dhaka.

Moreover, the High Court has issued a rule inquiring into why the lack of fire extinguishing systems in schools, colleges, shopping malls, and other buildings in the capital is not deemed illegal.

Lawyers Md Yunus Ali Akanda and Israt Jahan Shantona filed the petitions in the public interest. Israt's petition sought a judicial probe and directions to identify the real culprits, with the government probe committee required to submit its findings to the court.

Yunus' petition sought a ban on housing restaurants in residential buildings on Bailey Road and other parts of Dhaka and called for the apprehension of those responsible for the Bailey Road fire, as well as compensation for the victims.

The petitions named the housing and public works secretary, cabinet secretary, home secretary, inspector general of police, RAJUK chairman, and the mayors of Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations as defendants.