Health sector corruption: Investigations stuck in 'coronavirus pandemic'
Although eight months have elapsed, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not been able to complete investigations of the cases filed over corruption charges against Afzal Hossain, Abdul Malek and Shahed Karim.
The allegations of corruption and amassing wealth illegally against Sabrina are still at just at an investigatory stage.
These people are widely known for their alleged corruption in the health sector.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Iftekharuzzaman said, "The investigation of these sensational cases should be finished speedily. I think there is a lack of will behind the slow pace. There is also a question of accountability of ACC."
ACC officials said the investigation and the search against those four people could not be finished due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the trial of criminal cases filed against Malek, Shahed and Sabrina has progressed to a great extent. Meanwhile, Shahed has been sentenced to life in arms case.
Health directorate accountant Md Afzal Hossain and driver Abdul Malek are the glaring examples of how pervasive the corruption is in the health sector.
After the arrest of Regent Hospital owner Shahed Karim and JKG Healthcare chairman Sabrina Arif Chowdhury, people came to know the widespread corruption in the health sector.
Regent Hospital would provide fake reports of coronavirus tests while JKG would throw the collection of coronavirus samples into the drain. Afterwards, JKG would randomly tell people that they tested positive or negative.
According to ACC, Afzal and his wife Rubina Khanam possess wealth worth over Tk 10 billion. They have five houses in Uttara. They have at least 24 plots and flats in different areas including the capital. They have a house in Sydney, Australia. The couple embezzled funds in the name of purchasing equipment for different medical colleges and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Afzal was an accountant at the Medical Education and Health Manpower Development of DGHS. Before dismissal, he would draw salary of Tk 30,000, but would go around in a Harrier. His wife Rubina Khanam was stenographer of Medical Education and Health Manpower Development at DGHS. This couple established a construction firm 'Rahman Trade International'. They would control contracting jobs at DGHS.
After hiding for long, Afzal Hossain surrendered to the court on 26 August 2020. His wife is still on the run.
In a case of ACC, an allegation of laundering Tk 2.64 billion earned illegally has been brought against the couple. In another case, an allegation of laundering Tk 207 million has been brought against Afzal. The case also includes allegation of amassing Tk 48 million illegally.
The first case was lodged against them in April 2019. The ACC filed the case on charges of embezzling money in the name of purchasing equipment for Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital. Later the corruption watchdog filed two separate cases against the couple in June 2020. But ACC could not finish investigations into these cases.
ACC deputy director and investigation officer Towfiqul Islam declined to make any comment on the matter.
As part of conducting drives against corrupt people in the health sector, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Abdul Malek alias Badol on 20 September 2020. ACC unearthed seven plots and a dairy farm in a mouza of Dhaka in the name of DGHS class three employee Malek and his wife Nargis Begum. Of these, there are multi-storied buildings on two plots.
ACC filed two separate cases against this couple on 14 February 2021. Allegations of amassing Tk 26 million illegally and concealing asset worth Tk 9 million were brought against them.
When Malek was arrested on 20 September, a foreign pistol, bullets and fake notes were recovered from him. RAB filed two cases on charges of illegal arms and fake currency note trading against him. Later RAB submitted charge sheet to the court. The trial is underway.
Preferring not to be named, an ACC official said the investigations in the cases are going on. Malek would be taken on remand once the coronavirus situation comes under control.
Regent Hospital owner Md Shahed Karim and JKG Healthcare chairman Sabrina Arif Chowdhury and her husband Ariful Haque Chowdhury were arrested last year.
ACC filed two cases on charges of embezzling money and cheating against Shahed.
In the allegation of one case, ACC said they found evidence of embezzling Tk 15 million from NRB Bank by four people including Md Shahed. In the charge sheet of another case, it is mentioned that the license of Regent Hospital was not renewed for six years. The investigation of these two cases is proceeding slowly.
ACC deputy assistant director Md Shajahan Miraj said, "We are stuck due to the lockdown. We will resume activities once offices are open. We hope the investigation will be finished within one to one and a half months."
Police arrested JKG Healthcare chairman Sabrina Arif Chowdhury on on 12 July 2020 on charges of providing fake Covid-19 reports. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) submitted the charge sheet 42 days into the case.
But after one year of the incident, ACC did not file any case against Sabrina.
ACC deputy director Selina Akhtar said investigations against her are on.
ACC commissioner Jahurul Haque blamed 'negligence and manpower crisis' for slow investigation.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said the charge sheet could not be submitted to the court due to shortcomings in the investigation.
Investigations into 15 incidents of irregularities and corruption at the health sector are going on at the ACC. Besides, a total of 20 cases of corruption have been filed so far. Investigation is going on in these cases. None of these cases have reached the trial stage.
*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.