Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
A writ petition has been filed with the Bangladesh High Court seeking an investigation into the 18-month activities of the interim government led by former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus.
After a preliminary hearing on Sunday (May 17), a bench of Justices Ahmed Sohel and Fatema Anwar fixed Thursday (May 21) for its order.
Senior lawyer M K Rahman and petitioner-lawyer Mohsin Rashid appeared for the writ petitioners, while Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kajol represented the state.
Speaking to reporters, M K Rahman said the writ sought a probe into the interim government’s activities, alleging it had created instability in sectors including the economy and healthcare. “A commission should be formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act to prevent any elected government from being removed in an unconstitutional manner in the future,” he said.
Mohsin Rashid said the petition called for a “comprehensive and neutral investigation into all incidents” during the period, adding that “the government would determine how the investigation would be conducted.” He also said the attorney general would seek instructions from the government, and the court asked for the government’s position at the next hearing.
In a separate development, another writ petition was filed in the High Court seeking an investigation into the role of the advisory council, describing the cancellation of the measles vaccination programme as “criminal negligence.”
The second petition also sought a travel ban on Muhammad Yunus and all members of the advisory council.
Filed on Sunday by Supreme Court lawyer Ashraful Islam, the respondents include the Cabinet Secretary, secretaries of Health, Home Affairs and Public Administration, the Director General of Health Services, and other relevant officials.