Writ challenges govt circular on permission for hospital raids

A writ petition, filed with the High Court, has challenged the validity of the health ministry's circular which disallows raids at hospitals by law enforcement agencies without the ministry's permission.

Supreme Court lawyers Yadia Zaman and Hasan Tareq Palash filed the writ petition on Monday (August 17) on behalf of advocate Rafiqul Islam.

The secretaries of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services have been made respondents to the writ petition.

The petition sought to know why the circular should not be declared invalid and urged the government to suspend activities centering on the decision of the health ministry.

Additionally, the identities of the people pertaining to a taskforce suggested by the health ministry to conduct raids at the hospitals were requested through the filed petition.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, lawyer Yadia Zaman said, "The writ petition is likely to be heard by a virtual bench of the High Court headed by Justice Tariq-ul Hakim and Justice Quddus Zaman."

On August 4, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a directive that law enforcement agencies would not be able to conduct raids on any government and private hospital in the country without the permission of the ministry.