Published : 06 Aug 2026, 10:33 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
The High Court has ordered the health secretary to issue a circular ensuring that all public and private hospitals and clinics provide primary treatment to anyone injured in an accident.
The court has also directed the government to amend the Road Transport Act, 2018 so that it covers victims of all accidents, not only road crashes.
The order came on Thursday from a bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Md Tajrul Hossain while making a rule issued in the matter partly absolute.
The case stems from the death of Md Ibrahim, a motor parts trader from Khulna, who was seriously injured in a mugging in Dhaka's Sayedabad on Jan 26, 2018.
He was taken to nearby Salauddin Specialized Hospital Limited, where he was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital without receiving treatment. He later died.
Following media reports on the incident, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a public interest petition.
The High Court issued a rule on Feb 5, 2018 after a preliminary hearing.
Senior lawyer Manzill Murshed argued the case for the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Md Jishan Haider represented the state.
Kazi Ershadul Alam represented the Directorate General of Health Services, while senior lawyer Mostafizur Rahman appeared for Salauddin Hospital.
After the verdict, Murshid said the health secretary had been directed to issue a circular instructing every public and private hospital and clinic to provide primary treatment to anyone injured in a road crash, mugging or any other accident before referring the patient elsewhere for advanced care if necessary.
Referring to the court's observations, he said the right to life is a fundamental right and a patient may die without timely treatment.
Hospitals are licensed specifically to treat patients, so they cannot refuse anyone care, the lawyer said, adding that treating the patient who arrives first is a matter of medical ethics for doctors.
On compensation, the court observed that the amount should be determined through an investigation.
While Salauddin Hospital claimed in its response that it had fulfilled its responsibilities, the court left the question of compensation open, allowing the victim's family to pursue it through the appropriate legal process.
