HC issues rule on raid at hospitals

The High Court on Tuesday questioned the legality of the health ministry's letter asking the law enforcers to take its permission to conduct raids in hospitals.

The court issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks as to why the health ministry's decision should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman passed the order after holding a virtual hearing of a writ petition that challenged the legality of a letter issued by the health ministry to this effect.

Health secretaries, home secretary and law secretary have been asked to comply with the rule within four weeks.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta told the media that the health ministry's notification will remain in force as the HC did not pass any stay order on the notification.

Advocate Rafiqul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the writ petition to the HC on August 17, also seeking a stay order on the health ministry's notification.

Lawyer Yadia Zaman who appeared for the writ petitioner said, "The court suggested that they should submit a supplementary petition after hearing of the main petition. We submitted it and the court passed order after the hearing."

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