Dhaka, 01 Nov 2018 – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday upheld the High Court order that directed the authorities concerned to shut down Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah Manoshik and Madokashakto Hospital and Shefa Hospital and Diagnostic Centre as they have no valid license. After rejecting their appeal petitions, the seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by chief justice Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday came up with the order.
Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol appeared for the appellants while Advocate Manzill Murshid represented the writ petition.
Earlier, on September 12, an HC bench directed the government to immediately shut down 14 hospitals in Mohammadpur area of Dhaka as they have no valid license.
In response to a writ petition, the HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Ahmed Sohel also issued a rule asking the government to explain why it should not be directed to remove the hospitals which are operating in the area and without valid licenses.
The HC bench also asked the government to explain why it should not be directed to take appropriate legal action against the persons responsible for the operation of those hospitals running in the area without having any valid license.
The hospitals are: BDM Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Shebika General Hospital, Jonosheba Nursing Home And Diagnostic Centre, Life Care Nursing Home, Royal Multispecialty Hospital Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah Manoshik and Madokashakto Hospital, Manmita Mental Hospital, Plazma Medical Service and Clinic, Shefa Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Islamia Mental Hospital, Crescent Hospital and Diagnostic Complex, Mokka Median General Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, New Wellcare Hospital and Bangladesh Trauma Specialised Hospital.
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a human rights body, filed the petition with the HC seeking necessary order on the government to shut down the hospitals as they have no valid required licenses.
Advocate Manzill Murshid, counsel for the petitioner, told reporters that they have filed the petition with the HC on September 9 following a newspaper report published in a national daily stating that hospitals were operating without having valid licenses.
After the HC order, the owners of the two hospitals filed appeals with the Supreme Court for staying the operation of the HC directives. But, the apex court turned down their petitions after hearing it. – Staff Reporter
