A Supreme Court lawyer has issued a legal notice to the four children of an elderly woman who died alone in a Mirpur house, demanding written explanations regarding her maintenance, care, and the circumstances leading to her death.
Farzana Yasmin (Rakhi), a lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, sent the notice to the children of Nurjahan Begum on Wednesday.
The legal notice states that the incident is not merely a personal family tragedy but an important matter related to the rights of senior citizens, family responsibility, social ethics, and the rule of law.
Citing Articles 15, 27, 31, and 32 of the Constitution, which guarantee human dignity and security of citizens, the notice said ensuring the safety and dignity of the elderly is a joint responsibility of the state and the family. It also references the “Parents’ Maintenance Act, 2013”, which legally obligates children to provide for their parents’ maintenance, care, and necessary assistance.
The notice seeks written explanations from the four children – Joint Secretary of Khulna Sea Port AKM Anisur Rahman, Professor AKM Ashikur Rahman of BUET, Canada expatriate KM Atiur Rahman, and school teacher Fatema Nasrin Sultana – within seven days.
They have been asked to explain what arrangements were made for their mother’s maintenance, medical treatment, and overall supervision, their communication with her before her death, whether they were aware of her living alone for a long period, and to provide supporting documents if they claim their duties were properly fulfilled.
“If a mother spends the last part of her life in loneliness and neglect, and her body remains uncared for after death, it is not just a failure of one family, but a question for the conscience of society and the nation,” the notice states.
The lawyer clarified that the purpose is not to insult or convict anyone but to ensure accountability and uncover the facts in the interest of justice.
If no satisfactory response is received, legal steps will be considered to bring the matter to the attention of administrative authorities, the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Social Welfare, law enforcement, and the High Court.
Speaking to The Daily Star, the lawyer said, “This incident is very shameful for the country. It is a very sensitive matter. It must be properly investigated, and if anyone has been negligent, we will proceed to the next process.”
