A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday to take legal action against Proshanti Hospital in Dhaka's Malibagh area for allegedly not releasing the dead body of a Covid-19 patient to realise dues of Tk 1.56 lakh.

According to the writ petition statement, Mohi Uddin, a coronavirus-infected veterinary doctor from Subarnachar in Noakhali, was admitted at Proshanti Hospital on June 14.

The hospital authorities put him on an ICU bed, but did not provide ICU facilities, the statement alleged.

After Mohi Uddin died on June 18, hospital authorities prepared a bill of Tk 1.56 lakh as treatment costs.

But his family members refused to pay, claiming that ICU facilities were not provided to him.The hospital authorities also refused to return the body of Mohi Uddin unless dues were cleared.

According to the writ petition filed by Mohi Uddin's brother Md Jasim Uddin Rubel, the hospital authorities released the body only after they paid the full amount.

In the writ petition, Rubel prayed to the HC for its order asking Proshanti Hospital to give Tk 1 crore as compensation to the family of Mohi Uddin for negligence in providing treatment at ICU.

He also requested the HC to direct the authorities concerned to form a judicial inquiry committee to probe into the allegations and take necessary action.

Writ petitioner's lawyer Zahir Uddin Limon told The Daily Star that Proshanti Hospital authorities have acted inhumanly and illegally in providing treatment to Mohi Uddin with proper ICU facilities and later, refusing to release his body to demand payment.

He added that hearing on the writ petition might be held at the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim within a few days.