Now, Karnataka forms SIT to probe Covid-19 scam

In the 'partial' report submitted on August 31 in 11 volumes, the commission examined the expenditure to the tune of Rs 7,223.64 crore, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters later, adding, 'they have not pinpointed that so much (scale) is misappropriation.'

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe misappropriations during Covid-19 management when the BJP was in power.

It was also decided to form a Cabinet sub-committee to oversee the investigation, Law Minister H K Patil said, briefing reporters. The Cabinet sub-committee will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. It will have Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, Labour Minister Santhosh Lad and Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil.

The SIT probe will be based on the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission’s interim report, which examined Covid-19 expenditure to the tune of Rs 7,223 crore.

Patil said the Commission has recommended recovery of Rs 500 crore after going through 55,000 files to investigate the scale of misappropriation that allegedly took place under the previous BJP regime.

“Though the Commission has submitted its interim report, it has not named anyone. The report throws ample light on the criminal intent and involvement of many hands in such large-scale misappropriation,” he explained.

According to Patil, the SIT will be responsible for investigating the criminal aspects. Once Justice Cunha submits his complete report, the exact nature of the scam and partners in this crime will be known.

Patil said the Cabinet also decided to initiate recovery proceedings immediately and to blacklist erring companies or establishments that were involved in supply of Covid-19 equipment.

The minister explained that the Cabinet decided to form a sub-committee to constantly monitor and expedite the investigation of the SIT as well as assist the Commission in securing documents in time. “The Cabinet sub-committee will be assisted by officers concerned to verify the details of other malpractices," he said.

The Justice Cunha Commission was formed in August last year to examine allegations of irregularities in the procurement of Covid-19 drugs, equipment and other aspects. The Congress government asked the Commission to probe the period starting with the first lockdown (March 2020) till December 31, 2022.

On August 30, Justice Cunha submitted a 11-volume interim report to the state government.

This investigation could be bad news for the BJP, especially Chikballapur MP Dr K Sudhakar, who was the state’s health and medical education minister when Covid-19 struck.

During the Lok Sabha polls, Siddaramaiah had claimed that there was “sufficient evidence” against Sudhakar to put him in jail. “After investigation, it’ll be proved that he’s guilty. He will go to jail 100% for corruption,” Siddaramaiah said during a road show in Chikballapur.

Probe highlights so far:

* Rs 481.2 crore misappropriated during purchase of medical equipment and payment of various fees.

* Rs 187.91 crore involved in procuring expired drugs, substandard kits, delay in levying penalty for delay in supplies and loss due to purchasing materials at exorbitant costs.

* No records or accounts found for expenditure of Rs 100.53 crore.

* Rs 160.25 crore worth medical equipment/testing kits procured without requisite permissions.

* Rs 84.71 crore unnecessary expenditure on constructing oxygen plants in district and taluk hospitals.