A Dhaka court on Thursday fixed August 20 for hearing on framing charges against JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and seven others in a fraud case over issuing fake Covid-19 test certificates.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sarafuzzaman Ansari set the new date following a petition on Thursday (13 August). The court also rejected their bail petitions.
Earlier on August 5, the Detective Branch (DB) of police submitted a charge sheet against JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury, her husband Arif Chowdhury and six others in the case.
The other six accused are – Abu Sayed Chowdhury, Humayun Kabir Himu and his wife Tanjina Patwary, Biplob Das, Shafiqul Islam Romeo and Jebunnessa.
Earlier in that day, Md Liakot Ali, an inspector of DB of police and also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka.
In the charge sheet, the IO said the charges brought against the accused of issuing fake Covid-19 certificates were primarily proven. Therefore, they should be brought under trial for their alleged involvement with the incident.
On June 23, Kamal Hossain, who was given a fake Covid-19 certificate from JKG Health Care, filed the case against the accused with Tejgaon Police Station.
Earlier on July 14, police handed over Dr Sabrina to the DB of Police for interrogation as the case filed in connection with issuing fake Covid-19 test certificates had been transferred to DB.
On July 13, The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials said that they will investigate the allegation against Dr Sabrina for amassing Tk 8 crore through forgery. ACC's special investigation cell will lead the enquiry. With the help of her husband Arif Chowdhury, Sabrina allegedly prepared 15,460 fake Covid-19 certificates and pocketed around Tk 8 crore. There are also many allegations against Sabrina of amassing wealth beyond her income source.
On July 12, Dr Sabrina was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) over her alleged involvement in issuing fraudulent Covid-19 test reports.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the same day suspended the cardiac surgeon from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases after her arrest.
nh/teb
