‘Take steps to ensure hand sanitisers, disinfectant sprays come with labels, warnings’

The High Court on Wednesday directed the government to take necessary steps to print or label clear and proper warning and necessary cautions on different hand sanitisers and disinfectant sprays that contain flammable ingredients.

The director generals of the directorates of health services, drug administration and national consumers' protection have been ordered to take the needed steps to this effect within two weeks.

The HC also directed the government to make sure no hand sanitisers and disinfectant sprays are sold at pharmacies or stores without the warning labels or stickers.

The bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim came up with the order after virtually hearing a writ petition filed with the HC seeking directives on the authorities concerned of the government to this effect.

Rights organisation Justice Watch Foundation represented by its Executive Director Barrister Md Mahfuzur Rahman Million submitted the writ petition as a public interest litigation to the HC through an e-mail on July 27.

The organisation included a report published on The Daily Star about Dr Rajib Bhattacharjee and his wife after they sustained burn injuries in a fire caused by a burning cigarette that came in contact with hand sanitiser.

Rajib Bhattacharjee (36), a neurosurgeon at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, died on July 28 at the intensive care unit of Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Million himself argued in support of the writ petition while Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta represented the state.