How long it takes to reply a court letter?

Sufia, wife of Khondokar Tajul Islam, filed the case with the Judge Court on June 6, 2002 for alleged wrong treatment. The trial has not been started because the Prime Minister's Office is yet to reply to the court's letter seeking permission.

PMO's permission is necessary as the accused persons are government officials, sources said.

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In the case, Sufia alleged that she had gone to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on January 2, 2002 with problems in her uterus. Doctors there advised her to manage Tk 20,000 and to go to a private clinic for operation.

Being unable to manage the money, Sufia insisted that she be operated at RMCH. A medical team comprising Dr Hasina, Dr Nazmun Nahar, Dr Shah Alam, Dr Joyee, Dr Saidur Rahman and anesthesiologist Dr Subrata operated upon her on February 4.

She was released after 10 days of the operation. At home, she felt discomfort and abnormality. She went to RMCH again. After examination, doctors said her rectum was mistakenly operated and advised her to go to a private clinic.

In disbelief, Sufia consulted a specialist surgeon. To her utter surprise, she came to know that her uterus was not operated upon. Instead, the rectum was perforated.

Sufia sold her property and went to India. She returned after a successful operation at a cost of Tk 65,000.

She then filed a case against the six doctors.

"Every citizen has the right to legal protection. I do not know why I am being denied," Sufia told this correspondent on Tuesday on the court premises.

She visits the court every week hoping that the PMO's permission has reached the court.

Her lawyer Advocate Ekhlak Hossain said it was a clear violation of human rights to delay the approval. " Reminders were sent several times. We do not also know why the PMO's office is not replying to the court letter".