Fake Covid-19 certificates: Sabrina, 7 others sentenced to 11 years in jail

A Dhaka court has sentenced JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and seven others to 11 years' rigorous imprisonment in a case filed on charges of issuing fake coronavirus (Covid-19) test reports.

Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain announced the verdict  in presence of the convict on Tuesday.

The magistrate also fined them Tk 11,000 each, in default of which they will have to suffer 11 months more in jail.

In the judgment, the magistrate said the time that the convicts have already spent in jail will be deducted from their sentence.

the others convicts are JKG Health Care CEO Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Abu Saeed Chowdhury, Himu, Tanzila, Bipul, Shafiqul Islam Romeo and Jebunnesa.

On August 20 last year, the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarafuzzaman Anshari framed charges against the accused.

In August, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zulfiqar Hayat received the charge sheet in the case.

On 5 August 2020, DB police inspector Liaquat Ali filed chargesheets against eight people, including Dr Sabrina and Arif, in the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, whereby the duo has been cited as the prime culprits.

The other accused mentioned in the chargesheet have been charged with fraud and deception.

Among the accused, Himu, Tanzila and Romeo pleaded guilty and testified in court.