Rangpur Medical College doctor sent to jail

A doctor of Rangpur Medical College (RMC) was sent to jail on Wednesday after a court rejected his bail prayer in a Tk 4.48 crore corruption case.

Judge Rasheda Sultana of senior special judge’s court in Rangpur gave the order after Dr Sarowat Hossain, an assistant professor of community medicine at RMC, surrendered before it in the afternoon, confirmed Harun Ur Rashid, a lawyer for Anti-Corruption Commission in Rangpur.

College Principal Dr Nur Islam, another accused in the case, has been in Rangpur jail since November 26 last year.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Ferdous Rahman filed the case on September 12, 2019, accusing six persons for embezzling Tk 4.48 crore by preparing false documents to procure medical equipment for the college in June 2018.

Besides, no approval was taken from the health directorate and the tender process to purchase the machineries was flawed and lightning quick, mentioned Rahman, also the case’s investigating officer.

The work order was issued only two days after the bidder was picked and the bill worth Tk 4.48 crore was collected in just 10 days, he added.

ACC lawyer Rashid said Dr Sarowat Hossain was a member of the committees to purchase the equipment and scrutinise the tender documents.

Hossain was also the member secretary of the committee to verify the market rate for the products, he added.