HC writ seeks probe into Yunus, former advisers over measles vaccine policy

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking an investigation into the role of interim government’s former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and other former advisers over allegations related to the measles vaccination policy, alongside a request to impose travel bans on 24 individuals.

Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Ashraful Islam filed the writ today (17 May), alleging involvement in shifting the measles vaccination procurement and funding system from the state sector to the private sector.

The writ sought directives to form an investigation committee and impose travel bans on all former members of the advisory council, including Muhammad Yunus, until the investigation is completed.

The cabinet secretary, health secretary, home secretary, cabinet division secretary, public administration secretary, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, and other relevant officials have been made respondents in the petition.

According to the petition, a legal notice had earlier been sent on 6 April seeking an investigation into what it described as “criminal activities” linked to transferring vaccination programmes, including measles vaccination, from the state system to the private sector.

Plaintiff Ashraful claimed in the notice that a severe outbreak of measles had spread across the country, with more than a hundred children dying and many others receiving treatment in hospitals.

The notice also sought travel bans on several former advisers and officials until completion of the investigation.

Those named include former advisers Asif Nazrul, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adilur Rahman Khan, Nurjahan Begum, Brigadier (retd) Sakhawat Hossain, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, along with former chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam and former personal assistants concerned.