Fake Covid-19 certificate: Trial against Sabrina, 7 others begins

The trial of the case filed against JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and seven others over issuing fake Covid-19 certificates began today at a Dhaka court with deposition of the complainant.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sarafuzzaman Ansary recorded the statement of Md Kamal Hossain, complainant of the case.

Later, defence cross-examined the witness on behalf of accused Humayun Kabir Himu and his wife Tanjina Patwary.

The magistrate then fixed September 3 for next hearing of the case as the lawyers could not complete the cross-examination.

In his statement, Kamal, a caretaker of a house at Kalyanpur, said on June 3 his landlord Sirajul Islam and son Tahmidul Islam communicated with Himu, a graphic designer, as they had been suffering from cold, fever and other Covid-19 symptoms.

At around 5:00pm on June 12, Himu collected samples of Sirajul, his wife Hazera Begum and domestic-help Aklima Begum in front of Kalmilata Market in Tejgaon area and took Tk 15,000 for the tests.

The following day, JKG Health Care sent positive results of them online.

Later on June 20, Himu collected samples of Tahmidul Islam, his wife Liza Begum and driver Md Momin at the same place and took Tk 20,000 for the test.

This time, JKG Health Care gave negative results, the complainant continued.

The witness also said on June 22 Hazera and Aklima again gave samples for test and gave Tk 10,000 to Himu and his wife Tanjina.

But on June 23, he filed a case against the couple before supplying test results as they came to know about JKG's fraud, the witness added.

Earlier on August 20, the same court framed charges against eight people, including Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury in the case.

The other accused are: Sabrina's husband JKG Chief Executive Officer Ariful Chowdhury, Executive Officer Shafiqul Islam, graphic designer Humayun Kabir Himu and four other employees – Himu's wife Tanzina Patwary, Jebunnesa Rima, Sayeed Chowdhury and Biplob Das.