Why no blood test before marriage, HC asks govt

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain why it should not compel the brides and grooms to submit their medical certificates of blood test to the authorities concerned before marriage registration.

In the rule, the court also asked the respondents to show cause why it should not be mandatory for the brides and bridegrooms to submit certificates on Thalassemia and addiction tests before marriage.

The cabinet secretary, senior law secretary, senior health secretary, director general of department of health services, director general of department of narcotics control and the inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice MdKhairulAlam came up with the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Advocate SayadaShahinAraLaily, a Supreme Court lawyer, seeking its directive upon the respondents to take necessary steps for blood test of the brides and grooms before their marriages in order to examine if they are affected by Thalassemia or addicted.

The lawyer submitted the petition as a public interest litigation on July 5.

Citing the petition, Laily’s lawyer Advocate MdAklas Uddin Bhuiyan told The Daily Star that if Thalassemia-affected persons get married, their children might be disabled.

On the other hand, addiction to drug causes impotency, he said adding that various divorces take place over impotency caused by drug addiction.

Source: thedailystar