Writ petition filed seeking death penalty for fake physicians

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking life imprisonment or death penalty for fake physicians.

Supreme Court Lawyer JR Khan Robin filed the petition on Monday as a public interest litigation.

The law secretary, health secretary, president of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, registrar of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council and other relevant stakeholders have been made respondents in the writ petition.

A bench of the High Court may hold a hearing on the petition this week, JR Khan Robin told reporters.

The petition sought to know why the failure of the respondents to enhance punishment for fake doctors through an amendment of sections 28(3) and 29(2) of the Medical and Dental Council Act should not be declared illegal.

An appeal was made to enhance the punishment from a three-year jail term and Tk1 lakh fine to life-term or death penalty.

JR Khan Robin said that people had a fundamental right to health care as per the constitution.

Physicians have a critical role in ensuring health care, he said. 
But there are many fake doctors who are currently working to dupe innocent people, he added.