Death of schoolboy: Shipping ministry reconstitutes probe body

The shipping ministry on Thursday reconstituted a committee to investigate the death of a schoolboy who died in an ambulance after a ferry was reportedly delayed to accommodate a VIP in Madaripur, reports UNB.

Additional secretary Sanjay Kumar Banik is convener of the committee. Other members are -- joint Secretary Shahnewaz Dilruba Khan and deputy secretary SM Shah Habibur Rahman Hakim.

Earlier, a two-member body was formed on 29 July to investigate the matter. In a circular, the ministry said the reconstituted committee is effective from the previous date.

The committee has been asked to submit a preliminary report within seven working days.

Several newspapers and a TV ran reports on the death of a sixth grader, drawing the ministry’s attention.

According to reports, the boy, who was in an ambulance on a ferry on Sunday, died as the authorities allegedly delayed the vessel’s departure from Kathalbari jetty for joint secretary Abdus Sabur Mondal.