Prof Abul Kalam Azad, former director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), had allowed JKG Health Care to enjoy unlawful advantages in order to obtain illegal benefits for himself.
When coronavirus was first reported in Bangladesh, JKG Health Care started collecting samples from the suspected patients in exchange of money. They provided fake certificates using the government logo without testing the samples and embezzled money through fraudulent activities.
When Prof Azad was notified about the matter, he did not take the necessary action.
The statements were made by Detective Branch (DB) of Police Inspector Md Liakat Ali in the charge sheet of the case against eight people including JKG Health Care CEO Ariful Chowdhury and Chairman Sabrina Arif Chowdhury for Covid-19 test scams.
DB Inspector Md Liakat Ali is also the investigation officer of the case.
The charge sheet of the case was filed on August 4 filed with Tejgaon police station. Dr Sabrina and her husband Arif are mentioned as the masterminds behind the Covid-19 test scam in the charge sheet while the rest of the accused had been named as their accomplices. Bangla Tribune obtained a copy of the charge sheet.
On August 6, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zulfiqar Hayat received the charge sheet.
He then ordered the case to be transferred to the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarafuzzaman Ansari to hold the trial.
When the accused were taken to the court on August 13, the magistrate fixed August 20 as the next date for hearing of the charges.
The other accused in the charge sheet are Abu Sayed Chowdhury, Humayun Kabir Himu and his wife Tanjina Patwary, Biplob Das, Shafiqul Islam Romeo and Jebunnessa. They have been charged with fraud and deception.
Among the accused, Himu, Tanzila, and Romeo pleaded guilty and testified in court.
The investigation officer mentioned in the charge sheet that despite JKG Health Care not having experience of working in the medical field, former DGHS chief Abul Kalam Azad illegally gave the sensitive job of collecting coronavirus samples to them.
JKG Health Care started only with a trade license obtained from the City Corporation. By approving such an organization, Prof Azad has set an example of gross irresponsibility, according to the charge sheet.
The investigating officer further mentioned in the charge sheet that the ADG (Administration) of DGHS claimed that he signed all the documents related to JKG Health Care under the instructions of Prof Azad.
The ADG (Administration) further stated in a written statement that there was a condition that JKG Health Care would not be able to collect money and issue reports and certificates to the sample donors. They were only allowed to collect samples. However JKG Health Care still collected samples and took money. So it is clear that the accused were committing fraud, the charge sheet reads.
Inspector Liakat said in the charge sheet that although JKG Health Care did not have the permission to test samples according to DGHS, they disregarded the government instructions by testing samples through the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) and embezzled money.
Besides, based on the information received from ideSHi, it was revealed that the email [email protected] does not belong to them. However, JKG Health Care collected samples from the suspected coronavirus patients for money and sent the test report to the customers using the e-mail [email protected] without conducting any test. This also makes it clear that JKG Health Care embezzled money through fraud, the charge sheet states.
Moreover, JKG Health Care went door to door to collect samples by defying the written order of the DGHS to collect samples from specific booths.
The investigating officer said after review of the bank statements of the accused Ariful Chowdhury and Dr Sabrina it shows that a substantial amount of money was transacted in their bank accounts in May and June.
It is clear that they collected coronavirus samples in exchange of money and without examining the samples they gave out test results by forging the certificates using the government logo. Although the matter was brought to the attention of former DGHS chief Abul Kalam Azad, he did not take any action, Liakat mentioned in the charge sheet.
According to the chargesheet, the accused Ariful Chowdhury played a key role in establishing liaison with the DGHS and in obtaining work with project proposals while acting as the chief executive officer (CEO) of JKG Health Care and Oval Group.
He introduced bookingbd.com to collect samples for money from private offices and homes, and forged certificates on his own computer system. He also testified in court that he embezzled the money collected from forging these certificates.
Dr Sabrina is also accused of playing an active role as chairman of JKG Health Care and Oval Group in these fraudulent activities, according to the charge sheet.
