The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A private car driver was killed when a speedy public bus of Monjil Paribahan rammed his vehicle at the city's busy Motijheel area yesterday morning.

Witnesses and police said Mohammad Abdul Mazid, driver of a car (Dhaka Metro-Ga 11-5085), was critically injured when the speedy bus (Dhaka Metro-Ja 11-3112) belonging to Monjil Paribahan crashed his car at a place, opposite to the Dhaka Chamber building and Motijheel branch of Arab Bangladesh Bank Ltd at about 11:15am.

At that time, the 60-year-old Mazid was returning back to his house at 459 Kazipara under the Kafrul Police Station to attend his ailing wife after dropping his employer's wife at Sonali Bank head office premises.

Immediately after the accident, critically injured Mazid was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later. Mazid left behind his wife and two daughters to mourn his death.

Police said the driver of the Monjil Paribahan bus was driving his vehicle recklessly and rammed the private car at the front side. Instantly, the steering of the private car hit Mazid's chest and he fell unconscious. Later, he died on his way to the hospital.

The bus driver Majnu, 28, son of Sadeque Ali, of village Madarpur under Sribardi of Sherpur district and his helper were caught red-handed by Motijheel police. They were later taken to the police custody. The affected private car and the bus were taken to the Shahbagh police control room.

Witnesses said they became surprised witnessing such a tragic road accident in the city's busy commercial hub in broad-daylight. They blamed reckless driving by the drivers of Monjil Paribahan.

Mazid's brother Mohammad Abdul Alim filed a case (No. 51) with the Motijheel Police Station under Section 279/504 (Kha) of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

Talking to The New Nation, Awal, Director of Monjil Paribahan, admitted that the drivers of his company drive the vehicles recklessly.

He said he wanted to negotiate the matter sitting inside the Motijheel Police Station, but could not do so after a senior police official ordered to file a case.

"We have resolved eight to ten such cases negotiating with the respective family members. Each of the family members was given Tk 8,000-10,000. But, this time the victim's family wanted to resolve the matter through court," he said.