HC questions legality of health ministry’s permission for conducting drives in hospitals

The High Court today questioned the legality of the health ministry's decision, asking law enforcers to take its permission to conduct drives in hospitals.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why the health ministry's decision should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman came up with the rule after virtually hearing a writ petition that challenged the legality of a notification issued by the health ministry to this effect.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta told The Daily Star that the health ministry's notification will remain in force as the HC did not pass any stay order on the notification.

Supreme Court lawyer Rafiqul Islam submitted the writ petition to the HC on August 17, also seeking a stay order on the health ministry's notification.

The health ministry on August 4 issued the notification saying that law enforcers need permission from the ministry for conducting drive in any government and private hospital as the regular activities of the health sector is hampered due to sudden drives.

The notification also said coordination needed to be maintained among the departments of health service, health education and family welfare for operating such drives in hospitals.

Lawyer Yeadia Zaman appeared for the writ petitioner.