Dhaka: The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking government as to why order shall not be given to Tk 20 lakh each to the families of Sabbir and Sanzida, two children who died recently after falling into open manhole.

A High Court division bench comprising judges Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Ashish Ranjan Das passed the order asking LGRD secretary, chairman of Dhaka WASA, mayors of Dhaka North and South city corporations, inspector general of Police, director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence to reply the rule within four weeks.

The court also asked the two city corporations to replace properly the covers of manholes and sewerage lines within 15 days.

Sanzida died after falling into a sewerage line behind Mahakhali Bus Terminal in the capital on July 15, while Sabbir died on July 22 after falling into another sewerage line beside Mirpur Commerce College.