Animal-rescue volunteer Atif’s death: HC issues rule for compensation

The High Court today issued a ruling asking why the family of volunteer Tashfian Atif, who was electrocuted while rescuing a bird in city’s Keraniganj, will not be given compensation.

The High Court also directed the IG of Police to take steps to ensure that no ‘animal rescue’ organization allows their volunteer or worker to work without proper training and safety gears.

A High Court Division Bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Mohammad Atabullah passed the order, following a short hearing on a writ filed by victim’s mother Tanzina Rahman.

On 21 December last year, Tashfian Atif, a member of ‘Robinhood: the Animal Rescue Society’, was electrocuted while rescuing a bird stuck in an electric poll in the Hasnabad Insaf Bazaar area of South Keraniganj of the capital, as he lacked safety equipments.

Atif was first taken to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with severe burns. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

On December 22, he succumbed to his injuries. (BSS)