Gulshan police get HC rule but yet to respond

Gulshan police are yet to respond to a High Court rule asking the police authorities to explain in two weeks why they should not be ordered to take legal action against an underage driver of an SUV that hit two rickshaws on October 12, injuring four people.

Issued on a Public Interest Litigation on October 20 and received at Gulshan Police Station on Sunday, the HC rule had further asked why departmental proceedings should not be taken against the officer-in-charge (OC) for not carrying out his duty.

"I will take steps after consulting higher authorities," the OC, Sirajul Islam, told The Daily Star yesterday, adding, "If the victims do not file any case (against the driver), police will be forced to do so."

He said to have talked to one victim, Rafiqul Islam, who allegedly declined filing a case against the driver, Fareez Rahman, 16, nephew of a former Awami League lawmaker Dr HBM Iqbal.

Fareez was drinking alcohol and engaged in a race with another car on a somewhat waterlogged Gulshan street before losing control of the vehicle, said a policeman who was close by.

Police claimed the victims reached an agreement with the driver's family that they would not seek legal redress as long as the treatment costs are borne.

However, two victims said to have no knowledge of such an agreement.

Lisa Dibra, an indigenous woman, told The Daily Star that she would not file a case as she was scared the family was influential, and that police should file it.