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Karnataka orders SIT probe into ₹7,223.64 crore Covid-19 fraud during BJP reign

The Karnataka government has initiated a Special Investigation Team to look into the alleged financial irregularities worth Rs 7,223.64 crore during the Covid-19 pandemic under the previous BJP government, led by BS Yeddyurappa.
The investigation comes after an interim judicial report was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by retired High Court judge, Justice John Michael D’Cunha. The decision to begin an SIT probe was made during a cabinet meeting discussing the Justice Cunha panel report.
The report uncovers irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment, including masks, medicines, oxygen cylinders, and PPE kits, with several items being purchased without government approval. Allegations also include tweaking the death census.
Alongside the SIT-led inquiry, a sub-committee has been formed to scrutinise the rates of the equipment and investigate the officers involved in these administrative malpractices. It is said that those companies involved in the irregularities will be blacklisted.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, HK Patil, said that the report recommended the recovery of Rs 500 crore.
The Karnataka government had also suspended a senior official in the state accounts and auditing department following an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of PPE kits and medical equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The official, who was serving as a financial advisor at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology at the time of his suspension, was found guilty of violating procurement norms and dereliction of duty.

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