N’ganj mosque blast: SC extends stay on HC order asking Titas to give Tk 5 lakh to victims’ families

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today extended its chamber judge's order that stayed a High Court directive which asked Titas Gas Ltd to give Tk 5 lakh as initial cost to each family of the victims who died and suffered burn injuries in Narayanganj mosque blast.

The apex court, however, asked the HC to hold hearing on the rule the HC issued over giving Tk 50 lakh to the families of victims each and dispose of the matter expeditiously.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain came up with the order after hearing a petition filed by Titas Gas Ltd challenging the HC order.

Thirty-seven people died and several others sustained burns in the blast at Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque after Esha prayers on the night of September 4.

There has been widespread allegation that the explosion was caused by a gas leak from an underground pipeline beneath the mosque. 

Following a writ petition filed by SC lawyer and a resident of Narayanganj Mar-um Khondaker, the HC on September 9 directed Titas to give Tk 5 lakh as initial costs in seven days to families of each of the victims. 

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government and Titas Gas to explain why the Titas authorities should not be directed to give Tk 50 lakh to each of the victims' families.