A writ petition has been lodged with the High Court, urging for an independent and impartial investigation into the demise of Raahib Reza, who suffered a cardiac arrest during an endoscopy at Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

The petition also demands Tk10 crore in compensation for Raahib's family due to alleged medical negligence.

Raahib, 31, passed away on February 19 while receiving treatment at the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).

Family members claim that Raahib was administered anesthesia without prior examination of his test reports at Labaid Hospital. They allege that despite his pre-existing physical complications, the endoscopy was performed, leading to a heart attack and subsequent death.

The doctor involved in the procedure, Prof Mamun Al Mahtab (Swapnil), former chairman of the Hepatology Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), stated he was unaware of the patient's pre-existing conditions.

According to relatives, Prof Mamun Al Mahtab had recommended Raahib undergo an endoscopy on February 15, instructing him to arrive at Labaid Hospital on an empty stomach by 6:30pm. Despite arriving on time, the endoscopy commenced around 11pm.

Concern arose when no updates were provided an hour and a half later. A family member entered the endoscopy room to find Raahib in a critical state. His condition deteriorated, leading to transfer to the ICU, where he was declared dead by doctors on February 19 morning.

Raahib's colleague and close friend, Farhan Islam, witnessed the events at Labaid during the endoscopy.

"I often heard complaints against Dr. Swapnil that he would make patients wait for hours. However, since Raahib had consulted him earlier and decided to undergo an endoscopy under his supervision, I also accompanied him. We arrived at 6:30pm and waited for Dr. Swapnil. He arrived at 10pm, and Raahib was rushed for the endoscopy without reviewing the test report," Farhan said.