Fake Covid-19 reports: Dr Sabrina denied bail

A Dhaka court today rejected a bail petition of JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and sent her to jail in connection with a case filed over issuing fake Covid-19 reports.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Atiqul Islam passed the order after Md Liakot Ali, an inspector of Detective Branch (DB) of police and also the investigation officer of the case, produced her before the court on completion of her five-day remand in two phases.

Meanwhile, another Dhaka court allowed the same IO to interrogate another accused Humayun Kabir Himu, a graphic designer of JKG Health Care, at jail gate for three working days in the same case against a seven-day remand prayer.

In the forwarding report, the IO said Dr Sabrina, as chairman of JKG Health Care, was directly involved with issuing fake Covid-19 test reports. Moreover, she gave important information about issuing fake reports. So, he appealed to the court to confine her in jail until his probe is completed, the IO added.

On the other hand, defence submitted a petition seeking bail, claiming their client innocent.

After hearing both sides, the magistrate turned down her bail petition and ordered to send her to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.

On July 12, police arrested Dr Sabrina, about three weeks after the scam came to light.

Following her arrest, the health ministry suspended her from the post of registrar at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases for violating rules.

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