Rid Pharma: What steps taken against 2 drug officials, HC asks

The High Court today directed the government to inform in 72 hours what steps have been taken against Drug Administration Deputy Director Altaf Hossain and its Assistant Director Shafiqul Islam for their incompetence in dealing with the toxic paracetamol syrup related case.

The court also asked the health secretary and director general of Department of Health Services to explain in the report why Altaf and Shafiqul will not be removed from their service for their incompetence in dealing with the case.

The High Court bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Muhammad Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order following a petition moved by Supreme Court Lawyer Advocate Manjil Murshed on behalf of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The organisation submitted the petition to the High Court challenging the legality of keeping Altaf and Shafiqul in the service despite their incompetence.

In 2009, 28 children died after consuming the Paracetamol Syrup. A case was filed to this effect.

On November 28, last year a drug court in Dhaka acquitted five Rid Pharma officials of the case. The court also brought allegation of incompetence against Shafiqul and Altaf in dealing with the case properly.