HC rules on petition seeking orders for women's autopsies to be done by women

The High Court today issued a rule asking the relevant authorities of the government to explain why their inaction to formulate a guideline for performing autopsies on women's bodies by female physicians should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued the rule following a writ petition seeking necessary directives to this effect.

The health secretary and the director general of health services have been made respondents to the rule.

Supreme Court lawyer Jewel Azad submitted the writ petition as a public interest litigation to the HC on March 10 saying that considering social and religious values, the autopsy of the women's bodies should be done by female doctors.

Earlier on March 3, an application was sent to the health secretary and the director general of health services seeking necessary steps in this regard.

Later, the petition was filed with the concerned bench of the HC as there was no response from the authorities in this regard.

Petitioner Jewel Azad said many countries have specific guidelines for autopsies of women's bodies.