A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging legality of the government decision of deducting five marks from total marks of second time MBBS admission seekers.

Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition saying that the government reportedly on August 20 has decided to deduct five marks of second time MBBS admission seekers, which is discriminatory, illegal and contradictory to national education policy.

The decision has violated the constitutional provision of equality and equal opportunity of the candidates, he said in the petition.

The petitioner also said the constitution of the republic has granted the rights of the people to get equal opportunity.

As per the constitution, nobody is subject to discrimination but the government decision to deduct the marks is discrimination against the second time admission seekers, he said.

Eunus in the plea prayed to the HC to stay the decision and issue a rule asking the respondents to explain why the decision should not be declared illegal.

In the petition, he also urged the HC to make the health secretary, director general of the directorate of health services, its director (public health), chairman of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council and vice chancellor of Dhaka University respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Jahangir Hossain may hold hearing on the petition today, Eunus Ali Akond told The Daily Star.