Dhaka:The Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), aligned with the BNP, has suspended Dr. Zahid Hasan Ripok, its Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs, following accusations of assaulting Prof. Dr. Kazi Ahmed Zaki, the director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The incident reportedly occurred inside the director's office.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the suspension followed a review of video footage that allegedly identified Dr. Ripok as the main individual involved in the incident, which took place around 1130 am. DAB President Prof. Dr. Harun Al Rashid confirmed the suspension and stated that Dr. Ripok has been given 48 hours to explain his position. A probe committee has been established to investigate the matter further.
The DAB has made it clear that they do not condone any form of disorder or misconduct. Prof. Al Rashid emphasized that strict organizational action will be taken if the accused fails to provide a satisfactory explanation within the given timeframe. Both the victim and the accused are lifetime members of the DAB.
In a related development, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, condemned the alleged assault in a Facebook post, describing it as an "act of audacity and a criminal offence." He called for a thorough investigation and accountability to prevent further harm to the nation's healthcare system.
The incident allegedly occurred while Prof. Dr. Zaki was in a meeting, during which eight to nine individuals reportedly entered his office, pulled him from his chair, and began to assault him. Dr. Zaki, a public health expert and recent appointee as IEDCR director after conducting research on measles vaccine effectiveness, was appointed during the current BNP government’s tenure.