HC Writ Seeks Travel Ban on Dr Yunus, Ex-Advisers

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking an investigation into the alleged transfer and management of the country’s measles vaccination programme and requesting a travel ban on 24 individuals, including former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and members of his former advisory council.

The petition was submitted to the relevant branch of the High Court by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Ashraful Islam.

According to the writ petition, the court has been requested to direct the authorities to investigate the alleged role of Yunus and other former advisers in matters related to the measles vaccination programme, particularly over accusations that parts of the programme were transferred from state supervision to private management.

The petition further sought an order restraining 24 individuals, including former advisers, from leaving the country until the investigation is completed.

Several senior government officials were named as respondents in the writ, including the cabinet secretary, health secretary, home secretary, public administration secretary and the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services.

The legal move follows a notice served on April 6 demanding an inquiry into alleged irregularities and possible criminal activities linked to the handling of vaccination programmes, including measles immunisation initiatives.

The notice had raised concerns over claims that public health programmes were shifted from government oversight to private entities, allegedly without proper transparency and accountability mechanisms.

The High Court is expected to decide whether the petition will be placed for hearing in the coming days.

The development comes amid continued legal and political debates over administrative decisions taken during previous governments and the management of key public health programmes in the country.