The High Court has issued a rule asking why a policy should not be formulated to ensure that autopsies of deceased women are conducted by female doctors. The rule was issued on Sunday (April 20) by a High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi, following a hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Jewel Azad.

Earlier, on March 10, the lawyer filed the writ petition seeking a directive for the creation of a policy requiring female physicians to carry out autopsies on female bodies. The petition named the Health Secretary and the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as respondents.

The writ asked why the failure or inaction of the authorities to formulate a policy for conducting autopsies on women by female doctors and paramedics should not be declared illegal and beyond their legal authority. It also sought to know why necessary measures should not be taken to assign female doctors, along with female personnel, for such procedures at the district level.

Prior to filing the petition, the lawyer had submitted an application to the Health Secretary and DGHS on March 3 requesting immediate action. However, no response was received, prompting the legal move.