Why won’t lawyers be given priority for Covid-19 vaccinations? : HC to govt
Health secretary and DGHS director general were asked to respond to the rule within a week
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking the government to explain within a week, why it should not be directed to have lawyers be given Covid-19 vaccinations on a priority basis.
It also asked the government to explain why the exclusion of lawyers from the priority list of vaccinations should not be declared unconstitutional.
People concerned, including the health secretary and director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), were asked to respond to the rule within a week.
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A virtual bench, comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, issued the order on Tuesday after hearing a writ petition.
Advocate Mohammad Imam Hasan appeared for the writ in court, while Mohammad Abu Taleb accompanied him.
On 11 April, Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Abu Taleb filed the writ petition seeking inclusion of all lawyers of the Bangladesh Bar Council with priority in the Covid-19 vaccination program.
Prior to that, on 31 March, the petitioner sent a legal notice to those concerned by registered post to take effective action in this regard within 24 hours.
The lawyer then filed a writ petition for not taking action even after receiving the notice.
Regarding the writ, Mohammad Abu Taleb told reporters, ''The list for providing Covid-19 vaccines on a priority basis has been made. But there was no mention of lawyers who do have to come in contact with the public, and furthermore, many lawyers have been infected by the virus.''
On 3 December last year, the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association had urged the Health Secretary to give priority to lawyers and their families for Covid-19 vaccination. They made the request in a letter to the concerned government department.
