Summary:
- Dr. Sabrina accused former DB chief Harun of fabricating a politically motivated case against her during the 2020 COVID-19 testing scam.
- She claimed Harun unofficially summoned her multiple times and staged her arrest without evidence to divert attention from government failures.
- None of the 43 witnesses in the case testified to her direct involvement, and she alleged media narratives were manipulated against her.
- Harun has faced various allegations, including corruption and abuse of power, raising concerns about accountability in law enforcement.
Dr. Sabrina Arif Chowdhury, a controversial figure in Bangladesh due to her alleged involvement in the 2020 COVID-19 testing scam, has made explosive allegations against Harun-or-Rashid, the former chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Speaking at a free medical camp organized by her NGO, Bandini Foundation, in Narayanganj on Saturday, Dr. Sabrina claimed that the cases against her were politically motivated and orchestrated by Harun as part of a broader agenda.
Dr. Sabrina, who was arrested in June 2020 along with her husband and others for issuing fake COVID-19 test certificates through JKG Health Care, served nearly three years in prison before being released on bail in June 2023. She has consistently denied her involvement in the scam, asserting that she was not directly connected to JKG’s operations. On Saturday, she reiterated these claims and accused Harun of targeting her to divert public attention from the government’s shortcomings during the pandemic.
“I was not even listed as a primary accused in the case,” Dr. Sabrina stated. “I had no involvement with the organization against which the case was filed. Yet, I was implicated without cause.” She further alleged that Harun had personally summoned her multiple times to Tejgaon Police Station under unofficial pretenses before orchestrating her arrest.
According to Dr. Sabrina, Harun’s actions were part of a deliberate effort to stage what she described as “political drama.” She claimed that during their interactions, Harun questioned her about her medical education and professional achievements before detaining her without substantial evidence. “He fabricated a narrative and used the media to portray me as guilty,” she said.
Harun-or-Rashid has faced numerous allegations of misconduct throughout his career. Investigations by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have revealed his involvement in accumulating significant wealth through questionable means, including properties in Dhaka and other regions. He has also been implicated in several controversial incidents, such as alleged extortion and misuse of power during his tenure as a senior police officer.
Dr. Sabrina emphasized that none of the 43 witnesses in her case testified to any direct involvement on her part in financial transactions or fraudulent activities related to JKG Health Care. Instead, she argued that media narratives shaped by Harun were used to vilify her publicly. “This was an injustice done to me,” she remarked.
Harun’s tenure as DB chief has been marred by controversies beyond Dr. Sabrina’s case. Reports have linked him to illegal land acquisitions, money laundering, and politically motivated actions against activists and opposition figures. His conduct has drawn criticism from various quarters, including human rights organizations and political analysts.
The allegations made by Dr. Sabrina add another layer to the scrutiny surrounding Harun’s career and raise questions about the intersection of politics and law enforcement in Bangladesh. While Dr. Sabrina continues to rebuild her life post-incarceration, she remains vocal about seeking justice for what she describes as politically driven persecution.
This development comes at a time when public trust in law enforcement and judicial processes is being tested amid ongoing investigations into high-profile corruption cases involving former officials like Harun-or-Rashid. The revelations are likely to fuel further debate on accountability and transparency within Bangladesh’s institutions.
