ACC petition seeks probe into Dr Yunus, Dr Nurjahan

A petition has been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking an investigation into alleged corruption, irregularities and embezzlement in the procurement of vaccines and syringes, naming former Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and former Health Adviser Dr Nurjahan Begum.

The application was submitted on Monday by Supreme Court lawyers Biplab Kumar Das and Barrister Sanaullah Noor Sagar to the Chairman of the ACC, requesting legal action against the former interim administration officials and others concerned.

The petition states that the recent deaths of more than a hundred children in a measles outbreak have caused serious concern among citizens. It adds that reports of vaccine shortages and rising infections have been widely reported in the media.

It further alleges that the deaths of children due to measles reflect administrative failure and claims responsibility lies with the former Chief Adviser and Health Adviser, as cited in the application.

According to the petition, the interim government altered the vaccine procurement system without adequate preparation and failed to ensure timely procurement and distribution despite sufficient budget allocation in the health sector.

It claims that vaccines for measles and other diseases were not purchased on time, leading to gaps in immunisation coverage and worsening the outbreak situation, which it describes as taking "the form of an epidemic".

The application alleges a lack of transparency in procurement decisions, failure to disclose changes in methodology, and inability to ensure adequate supply of vaccines and syringes.