The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a charge sheet against six people, including former director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Abul Kalam Azad, in a case filed against them for embezzling government funds.
ACC Deputy Director Farid Ahmed, also the investigation officer in the case, submitted the charge sheet on Thursday.
The five other accused in the case are Regent Group and Hospital Chairman Mohammad Shahed alias Shahed Karim, DGHS former director (hospital and clinic) Aminul Hasan, deputy director Yunus Ali, assistant director Shafiur Rahman and research officer Dr Didarul Islam.
According to the charge sheet, the accused collaborated to convert the Regent Hospital into a dedicated Covid Hospital. Besides, they have also been accused of embezzling Tk 3,500 crore from Covid-19 test fees collected by the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM).
Abul Kalam Azad was not initially named in the case, but his name was added to the charge sheet following the investigation. The investigator submitted the charge sheet in the case after a year-long probe.
Last year, several incidents of mismanagement and irregularities in the health sector were exposed after physicians of some government hospitals, including Mugda General Hospital, complained of receiving low-quality masks and protective equipment.
The issuance of fake Covid-19 certificates by some hospitals triggered huge criticisms home and abroad.
The scandal came to light following a drive at Regent Hospitals on July 6 and the Regent Group head office.
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Regent Hospital Chairman Mohammad Shahed from Komorpur border in Debhata upazila of Satkhira district early July 15, 2020 on the charge of issuing fake Covid-19 certificates.
