HC rules over compensation to families of 3 boys killed at Jashore Juvenile Correction Centre

The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to give Tk 50 lakh as compensation to each of the families of the three teenage boys who were killed at Jashore Juvenile Correction Centre on August 13.

In the rule, the HC also asked respondents to show cause why they should not be ordered to take necessary steps to stop the irregularities and mismanagement in all three Shishu Unnayan Kendra (Children Development Centres) in the country.

Secretaries to the ministries of home and social welfare, director general of the directorate of social service, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Jashore and assistant director and probation officer of Jashore Juvenile Correction Centre have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder came up with the rule, following a writ petition filed by the guardians of the three boys.

The guardians collectively filed the petition on August 27 seeking HC order on the respondents to give Tk 50 lakh as compensation to each of their families.

Three teenagers -- Parvez Hasan Rabbi (18), Rasel alias Sujon (18), and Naeem Hossain (17) -- were allegedly tortured to death by several staffers and senior inmates on August 13. Fifteen others were also injured.

The injured inmates, who had also been through similar abuse, reportedly said that they, including the deceased, were tortured in two phases from noon to evening on August 13 as "punishment" for their involvement in a scuffle with the head guard of the centre.