Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 6: Retired judge John Michael D’Cunha, appointed as the Commissioner of the Inquiry Commission to investigate the alleged irregularities and scams during the Covid-19 procurement period, has submitted the second interim report to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday.
The comprehensive report, spanning a total of 1,808 pages, delves into the various discrepancies identified during the pandemic. This report is the second of seven interim volumes. Of these, four volumes focus on irregularities that occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The separate volumes cover the specific irregularities in BBMP’s Bommanahalli Zone, South Zone, West Zone, and Yelahanka Zone.
The remaining three volumes address irregularities in Bengaluru Urban District, Bengaluru Rural District, as well as the districts of Gadag and Koppal.
The interim report was formally handed over to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the presence of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh. The submission marks another step forward in the investigation, which has been closely followed by political and public interest alike.
The Congress-led government in Karnataka, under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, had transferred the investigation into the Covid ‘scam’ to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on February 14, two months after lodging an FIR. The CID team, led by SP Raghavendra Hegde and supported by three Dy SPs, is currently investigating the alleged “scam”, which reportedly took place during the previous BJP-led government’s tenure.
The investigation into the Covid irregularities has been used by the current government as a political tool to deflect attention from other controversies. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, and other senior leaders in the Congress party have pointed to the Covid “scam” as a countermeasure to the ongoing allegations concerning the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case involving Siddaramaiah and the sensational tribal welfare board scam.
The FIR concerning the Covid scam was filed at Vidhana Soudha police station on December 13, 2024, against several senior officers and staff members involved in the procurement process. The Congress government has also hinted at possible action against former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, former Health Minister B. Sriramulu, and BJP MP K. Sudhakar in connection with the alleged scam.
To oversee the progress of the investigation, the government formed a special cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar. This sub-committee is tasked with reviewing the findings of the Commission headed by Justice John Michael D'Cunha and providing recommendations to the state government.
Shivakumar made it clear that the investigation would be thorough, stating, "Officials are conducting an investigation based on the recommendations of Justice Michael D’Cunha's committee on Covid management-related irregularities. Those who embezzled Covid funds will not be spared."
He also addressed irregularities surrounding Covid testing, particularly in the BBMP areas. "In Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, 84 lakh RT-PCR tests were reportedly conducted, with bills amounting to Rs 502 crore, out of which Rs 400 crore has been paid. If 84 lakh tests were conducted, it would mean two tests per household," Shivakumar pointed out, further highlighting the discrepancies in the Covid testing process.