The High Court today directed United Hospital authorities to pay Tk 30 lakh to each of the families of four victims, who were killed in a fire at its isolation unit on May 27 last year, within 15 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to give Tk 15 crore to each victim's family as compensation.

The four victims were Vernon Anthony Paul (75), Riyajul Alam (45), Khodeja Begum (70) and Md Mahbub (50).

The hospital authorities had been directed to pay the money as an initial payment in 15 days after receiving the HC order copy.

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam came up with the order and rule following four separate writ petitions filed by the families of the victims seeking necessary directives for adequate compensation.

Following the petitions, a virtual HC bench led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim on July 15 last year directed the United Hospital authorities to pay Tk 30 lakh to each of the four victims' families.