Regent scamACC files case against 5 including Aminul, Shahed

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Regent Hospital Chairman Shahed Karim, former Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) director (Hospitals) Aminul Hasan and three others in much-talked Regent Hospital scam.

ACC Deputy Director Farid Ahmed Patwary filed the case following approval from the 3-member ACC probe team today.

However, former DGHS director general Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad, who resigned facing a torrent of criticism from all corners over the scam, was not included in the case.

The other accused of the Deputy Director (Hospitals) Yunus Ali, Assistant Director Dr Shafiur Rahman and Research Officer Dr Didarul Islam.

The allegations against them include – abusing power to transform closed Regent Hospital into a Covid-19 hospital, signing memorandum of understanding with the hospital and giving it permission to test the samples at government lab and embezzling Tk1.37 crore by taking testing fees from patients, and for attempt to realize monthly Tk1.96 crore as food allowance of doctors, nurses and other officials of Regent Hospital.   

On July 15, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) detained Shahed from the border area of Satkhira on various charges of fraud during the coronavirus pandemic. It became hot topic of the talk after law enforcing agencies unearthed huge corruptions in Regent Hospital. 

Later on July 21, Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad resigned as DGHS director general amid criticism over his role and DGHS director (Hospitals and Clinics) Aminul Hasan was removed the following day over various irregularities in the health department in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic.