During the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in Bangladesh, Regent Hospital owner Md Shahed had claimed that his hospital was dedicated to providing services to people suffering from the deadly virus out of his moral and humanitarian obligations.
However, following recent developments, it has come to light that not only did this guy force his employees to print out hundreds of fake Covid-19 results but he also billed the government huge sums for the treatment and care of coronavirus patients, while in reality, no such service was provided.
The list of wrongdoings of Md Shahed, against whom there is an ongoing manhunt by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), is too long to handle by the government as well as the law enforcement agencies.
But the question still remains as to how did the government, more specifically the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), sign a contract with a hospital that did not get its license renewed for the past six years to operate as a Covid-19 dedicated hospital.
However, on Tuesday, the authorities concerned were forced to shut down and seal all activities of Regent Hospital over the allegations related to issuing fake Covid-19 certificates and other forms of misconduct after RAB conducted raids at both the branches of the hospital – in Uttara and Mirpur – on Monday and Tuesday and gathered substantial evidence proving the wrong-doings.
Md Shahed is not new to the world of corruption, money embezzlement, and irregularities as he once had to serve two years in prison for fraudulent activities.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Lt Col Sarwar Bin Kashem, RAB's intelligence wing director, said that in the case filed with Uttara West police station regarding the issue, a total of 17 people, including Md Shahed, have been accused.
“We have already arrested eight of the suspects. Our efforts are underway to get the rest as soon as possible,” he added.
Those who were accused are – Regent Group Chairman Mohammad Shahed, Managing Director Masud Parvez, Regent Hospital staff Tariqul Islam, Abdur Rashid Khan Jewel, Md. Shimul Parvez, Dipayan Basu, IT Officer Mahbub, Saikat, Palash, Administrative Officer Ahsan Habib, Health Technician Md Ahsan Habib, Health Technologist Hatim Ali, Receiver Kamrul Islam, Regent Group Project Administrator Md. Rakibul Islam, Regent Group Human Resources Officer Amit Banik, Regent Group Driver Abdus Salam, and Executive Officer Abdur Rashid Khan.
Regarding the arrest of the fugitives including Shahed, the official said, “He [Shahed] is not out of reach. Anyone who tries to break the law or even shows the audacity to do so will definitely be brought under justice.”
According to RAB’s intel, in the last three months, Shahed embezzled around Tk2.50 crore to Tk3 crore from different people through different fraudulent activities.
“According to the Regent Hospital employees, Shahed forced them to print and supply fake Covid-19 certificates. Those who were working there have told us that they haven’t been paid for the past three months.
“He will also be charged under the Money Laundering Act.”
Who is this Shahed?
The ancestral home of Regent Hospital Chairman Md Shahed Karim alias Md Shahed is in Satkhira. He moved to Dhaka when he was a ninth-grader.
In 2010, Shahed opened two multi-level marketing (MLM) companies named BDS Kick One and Kormomukhi Kormo Songsthan Society (KKS) in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.
According to sources, he embezzled over Tk100 crore from these two companies. But after the victims filed a case against Shahed, the two companies were closed down.
There are as many as 32 cases lodged against Shahed with police stations all across the country, added the law enforcement sources.
He was arrested once in 2011 for fraudulent activities but managed to get bail using his money and political ties.
After his release from jail, he started business under the banner of Regent Group with the money he had earlier embezzled.
As a new strategy, Shahed started to introduce himself to various government offices, especially to the Ministry of Health, as a retired military officer, or as someone who is associated with the Prime Minister's Office.
He also claimed to be a member of the ruling party’s sub-committee on international affairs.
Contacted, Dr Shammi Ahmed, international affairs secretary of Awami League, said: “Shahed was never a member of our sub-committee. His claims are completely false.”
Meanwhile, he deliberately used to take photos and share frames with top-level government officers, law enforcement officials, lawmakers, and even ministers for his own gains.
Several of such photos, including some with the premier, are currently circulating on Facebook.
He even used to co-sponsor various events of different units of the country’s law enforcement agencies in a bid to build up close relations with them.
Besides, those who were to challenge his lies received threats.
The sources also told the correspondent that Shahed has other companies named Regent Design and Development, Regent KCS Ltd, Regent IT Solution, and many more to carry out all his illegal deeds.
To establish himself as a political figure and an analyst among everyone, he also started an organization named Center for Political Research.
Some reports indicate that Shahed, who was seen on multiple TV talk shows bashing the opposition in favour of the ruling party, was actually involved with BNP’s politics.
The sources also informed that he even owns a newspaper named “Natun Kagoj.”
Commenting on the various illegal and corrupt activities of the Regent Hospital chairman, RAB Director Lt Col Sarwar said: “Scammers and fraudsters have no political identity. They are what they are. They try to use the names of influential people to get their interests served.”
When asked about the chances of Shahed fleeing the country, he said: “We are hopeful that others are aware of the matter.
“We believe that he will not leave the country. We are trying to arrest him as quickly as we can.”
Regent Hospital staff members remanded
Moreover, a Dhaka court on Wednesday placed seven Regent Hospital staff members on a five-day remand each in a case filed over the incident of issuing fake Covid-19 certificates.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shadbir Yeasir Ahsan Chowdhury passed the order after Uttara East police station Inspector Md Alamgir Gazi, who is also the investigation officer of this case, produced them before the court with a prayer of seven-day remand for each.
Also, one of the accused, Kamrul Islam, a minor, was sent to a juvenile correction centre after he was produced in a juvenile court.
