Shahed admitted to providing fake Covid-19 reports during primary interrogation: DB

Police's detective branch today claimed that Regent Group Chairman Md Shahed alias Shahed Karim has admitted to providing fake coronavirus test reports during preliminary interrogation.

Abdul Baten, additional commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, disclosed the updates while talking to reporters at the DB office.

Shahed admitted that most of the Covid-19 test reports which were provided from Regent Hospital were fake, he said.

Some equipment were kept for testing at Regent Hospital but that was only for show, he said, adding these machines were never used for actual testing.

Shahed, however, removed those equipment before Rapid Action Battalion conducted drive in the hospital, he said.

"We are now trying to recover the equipment. If necessary, we would conduct an operation with Shahed," said the additional commissioner.

Baten further said they would interrogate Shahid regarding other irregularities during remand.

He further said that DB police would register complaint if any victim, earlier cheated by Shahed, want to come forward. "We will also provide legal assistance to the victims," he said.

Shahed, accused in over 56 cases, was arrested near the Labangabati river at Debhata upazila in Satkhira around 5:30am yesterday. Wearing a burqa, he was attempting to flee to India via a boat. Later, he was flown to Dhaka by a helicopter.

Meanwhile, Rab filed a case with Debhata Police Station in Satkhira against Shahed under arms and special power act yesterday. Rab-6 deputy assistant director, also a police inspector. Nazrul Islam filed the case against Shahed and two others, Biplob Kumar Saha, officer-in-charge of Debhata Police Station told The Daily Star.

During the arrest, Rab officials recovered a pistol, three bullets, one national identity card, three ATM cards and 2,330 Indian rupee from Shahed's possession, added the OC.