Fake Covid-19 certificates: JKG chairman Dr Sabrina on 3-day remand

JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury, also a government official, was placed on a three-day remand by a Dhaka court today in connection with a case filed over issuing fake Covid-19 test reports.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Shahinur Rahman passed the order after Hasnat Khandakar, an inspector of Tejgaon Police Station and also the investigation officer of the case, produced her before the court with a four-day remand prayer.

In the remand prayer, the IO said Dr Sabrina, as chairman of JKG Health Care, was directly involved with issuing fake Covid-19 test reports. So, she needs to be remanded to find out vital clues about the matter and to know whereabouts of others responsible.

Replying to a question, Sabrina informed the court that she is no more the chairman of the organisation and was not involved with such incidents.

She appealed to the court to grant her bail, cancelling the remand prayer.

Police yesterday arrested Dr Sabrina, about three weeks after the scam came to light.

Meanwhile, the health ministry suspended Sabrina from the post of registrar doctor at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases for violating rules.

On June 24, police had arrested her husband and JKG Chief Executive Officer Ariful Chowdhury and four others for their alleged involvement in issuing fake Covid test reports.

Four cases have already been filed against JKG Health Care on various charges including fraudulence.

Earlier on Saturday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) cancelled the permission for JKG Health Care to collect samples over allegations of irregularities and corruption.