Application to sue Yunus, 3 others over measles-related child death deferred until 12 July
The application brings allegations of negligence of duty, violation of law and deaths caused by negligence.
A Dhaka court today (5 July) set 12 July for its order on an application seeking permission to file a case against former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, former health adviser Nurjahan Begum and two others over allegations of negligence in connection with the measles outbreak and the death of a child.
After hearing the matter, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam fixed the date for the order this afternoon.
The two other individuals named in the application are former Directorate General of Health Services director general Dr Md Abu Jafar and former chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam.
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Earlier in the day, Sirajul Islam filed the application before the same court.
The court recorded the complainant's statement and kept the matter pending before later fixing 12 July for its order.
Ashikur Rahman, bench assistant of the concerned court, confirmed the development.
According to the application, Sirajul's nine-month-old daughter, Sauda Muskan, was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after developing a fever.
He alleged that her condition deteriorated due to a shortage of hospital beds and oxygen, negligence by doctors and nurses, and a lack of proper treatment.
The application further claims that the child could not receive a measles vaccine because it was unavailable at the appropriate time and later died after contracting the disease.
It alleges that the interim government led by Yunus, the then health adviser and the officials concerned were negligent in carrying out their responsibilities, including procuring and supplying measles vaccines and properly implementing the national vaccination programme.
The complainant further alleged that, as a result of this negligence, hundreds of children across the country died after contracting measles, while thousands more were undergoing treatment.
The application also claims that the accused violated the state's constitutional responsibility to protect public health and life, abused their authority, and failed to discharge their legal duties.
