HC adjourns hearing on writ over measles vaccine policy by Yunus, ex-advisers until tomorrow
The petition also sought a directive barring 24 individuals, including Yunus and all former advisers, from leaving the country
The High Court (HC) has adjourned until tomorrow (19 May) the hearing on a writ petition seeking investigation into the role of former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and former advisers to the interim government over the measles vaccine policy.
The petition also sought a directive barring 24 individuals, including Yunus and all former advisers, from leaving the country.
The adjournment order came today (18 May) after the first day of hearing before a High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury.
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Barrister Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.
Yesterday (17 May), Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Ashraful Islam filed the writ petition with the relevant branch of the High Court, alleging involvement in transferring the measles vaccine system from the state sector to the private sector.
The petition sought the formation of an investigation committee and an order imposing a travel ban on Yunus and all members of the advisory council until completion of the investigation.
The respondents include the cabinet secretary, health secretary, home secretary, public administration secretary, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services and other relevant government officials.
According to the petition, a legal notice had earlier been sent on 6 April seeking an investigation into what it described as "criminal activities" linked to transferring vaccination programmes, including measles vaccination, from the state system to the private sector.
Plaintiff Ashraful claimed in the notice that a severe outbreak of measles had spread across the country, with more than a hundred children dying and many others receiving treatment in hospitals.
The notice also sought travel bans on several former advisers and officials until completion of the investigation.
Those named include former advisers Asif Nazrul, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adilur Rahman Khan, Nurjahan Begum, Brigadier (retd) Sakhawat Hossain, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, along with former chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam and former personal assistants concerned.
