Suspend postal DG

Two Supreme Court lawyers served a legal notice on the authorities concerned of the government yesterday, requesting them to suspend the director general of the postal directorate claiming that the DG met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite testing positive for Covid-19.

In the notice, the two lawyers -- Md Humayun Kabir Pallob and Md Kauser -- claimed DG Sudhangshu Shekhar Bhadra met the PM at her official residence the Gono Bhaban on August 14, a day after he reportedly received his test reports from the IEDCR.

According to the legal notice, Sudhangshu went to the Gono Bhaban for the inauguration of a special commemorative stamp and data card on August 14 marking the 45th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During the event, he stood very close to the PM, it said.

Based on media reports, it also said the IEDCR took samples from the DG on August 12 and handed the report stating he tested positive the next day.

The lawyers also said what the DG did was a crime as per Section 26 of the Communicable Diseases (Prevention, Control, and Eradication) Act 2018. They also said concealing such information was a punishable offence under the law.

"Sudhangshu concealed that information, went to the PMO and stood very close to the prime minister. It is not only illegal but it also posed a serious risk to the personal safety and health of the PM," they said in the notice.

The two lawyers sent the notice through an email to the principal secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, secretaries to the ministries of home, public administration, and health, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

They also urged them to conduct an inquiry into the incident and take necessary steps in 48 hours.

Besides, the two demanded launching an inquiry into whether there was any loophole in ensuring the PM's security.

Talking to The Daily Star later in the day, Pallob said they would move a writ petition before the High Court seeking necessary directives if the respondents failed to act.

Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not reach the DG for comments as his cell phone was found switched off.