Covid Test Scam: PW-1 Testifies against Sabrina, Ariful

A Dhaka court on Thursday recorded deposition of 1st prosecution witness (PW) in a case lodged over issuing fake coronavirus test reports against 8 people including JKG Healthcare Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and her husband Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

The plaintiff of the case Kamal Hossain testified at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sorafuzzaman Ansari and was cross-examined afterward.

The hearing was later adjourned till September 3.

Earlier on August 20, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sorafuzzaman Ansari framed charges in the case.

Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Julfikar Hayad transferred the case to the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sorafuzzaman Ansari for further proceedings on August 6.

The investigation agency Detective Branch (DB) of police on August 5 filed the charge-sheet in the case.

The 6 other accused in the case are- Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, Humayun Kabir Himu, Tanjila Patwari, Biplob Das, Shafikul Islam Romeo, and Jebunnesa.

The investigation officer (IO) and DB inspector Liakat Ali in the charge-sheet accused Sabrina and JKG CEO 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 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 tests, whereas the company had inked a deal with the government to conduct the test free of cost.

The fraud company was even faking the signatures and seals of government agencies in making forged corona test reports while throwing away the samples taken from suspected patients.