The trial in the case against JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and seven others about issuance of fake Covid-19 certificates began yesterday in a court of Dhaka with recording the depositions of the complainant.
Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sarafuzzaman Ansary of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka recorded the depositions of Md Kamal Hossain
complainant of the case. Later, defence lawyer cross-examined the complainant on behalf of accused Humayun Kabir Himu and his wife Tanjina Patwary. Then the court fixed September 3 for next hearing of the case. On Thursday the lawyers could not complete cross-examination.
Complainant Kamal, a caretaker of a house at Kalyanpur told the court, 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.
On June 12, at about 5:00 pm, 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 them positive results through 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.
Complainant Kamal also said on June 22, Hazera and Aklima again gave samples for test and gave Tk 10,000 to Himu and his wife Tanjina. Later, 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 said.
On August 20, the same court framed charges against eight people, including Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury, accused of 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, Zebunnesa Rima, Sayeed Chowdhury and Biplob Das.
