Covid report scam: JKG’s Sabrina, hubby get 11 years in jail

A Dhaka court has sentenced eight people including JKG Healthcare Chairman Dr Sabrina Chowdhury to 11 years in jail in Covid report scam case .

A Dhaka court has sentenced eight people including JKG Healthcare Chairman Dr Sabrina Chowdhury to 11 years in jail in a case lodged for issuing fake coronavirus (Covid-19) test reports.
Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain handed down the verdict in presence of the eight accused on Tuesday (July 19) noon.
Earlier around 8:30 am, the accused were produced before the court from jail.
The court on June 29 set today (July 19) for delivering the verdict in the case as both the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case on the day.
A total of 26 witnesses out of 40 testified in the case on different hearing dates.
The eight accused in the case are Sabrina, her husband and JKG CEO Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, Humayun Kabir Himu, Tanjila Patwari, Biplob Das, Shafikul Islam Romeo and Jebunnesa. The accused on May 11 in their statements in self-defence pleaded not guilty.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on August 20, 2020, framed charges against the eight accused.
The investigation officer (IO) and DB inspector Liakat Ali in the charge-sheet accused Sabrina and Ariful of being the masterminds behind the scam and the others as their cohorts.
One Kamal Hossain filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on June 15, 2020, for issuing fake Covid-19 test reports.
JKG Healthcare run by Ariful and his wife Dr Sabrina, was realising money from the suspected patients for coronavirus test, whereas the company had inked a deal with the government to conduct the test free of cost.