A report submitted by the retired Supreme Court judge Michael D’Cunha Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the case Alleged Covid-19 scam that took place during the previous BJP-led government The court in Karnataka recommended prosecution under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu.

The recommendation stems from the following claims: Irregularities in procurement of three lakh PPE kits from Chinese companies in 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge D’Cunha presented the accessed report. India Today TV, to the government of Karnataka on August 31.

PPE KITS FROM CHINA

According to the report, the Yediyurappa-led BJP government approved the purchase of PPE kits, medicines and medical equipment in large quantities in March and April 2020. These were purchased mostly from Chinese suppliers, DHB Global and Big Pharmaceuticals, at much higher prices. Offered by local companies.

Officials argued that local suppliers were unable to meet demand, but records show that companies such as Plasti Surge Industries Pvt Ltd were selling PPE kits at much lower prices – initially Rs 330.40 per kit, later rising to Rs 725. In comparison, DHB Global charged around Rs. 2,117.53 per kit.

The report suggested that the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) opted for direct orders, bypassing competitive bidding. It was reported that this approach was supported by both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. Although the price of domestic kits is between Rs. 400 and Rs. 1,444.80, authorities selected foreign suppliers at significantly higher rates.

The report raised concerns about possible record manipulation to justify these purchasing choices. He suggested officials may have shown favoritism towards DHB Global over Big Pharmaceuticals, which offered a lower price. These alleged irregularities led to financial loss of Rs 67,69,000.

In total, the report pointed to procurement irregularities amounting to approximately R150 billion, stating that senior officials were involved and the transparency of the process was questioned.

NO NEED TO WORRY, WE FOLLOW ALL LEGAL PROTOCOLS: YEDİYURAPPA

About the investigation into the Karnataka covid scam, Yediyurappa said: “There is no need to worry about COVID-related investigations. We have followed all legal protocols during the pandemic. Their actions are politically motivated and senseless. I am sure I have done nothing wrong. Any investigation will bring out the truth. The Congress will just He’s trying to uncover the past.”

WEALTH WAS ACCUMULATED WHILE PEOPLE WERE DYING DUE TO COVID

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that in a recent report prepared by Justice Cunha, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa (BSY) and former Health Minister B Sriramulu were accused of alleged misuse of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rao emphasized that the allegations made by the opposition at that time are now supported by Justice Cunha’s findings. “They amassed huge fortunes during Covid while people were dying. They saw the opportunity to make a quick buck.”

Rao outlined next steps, calling for legal action to address purchasing irregularities flagged in the report, including the purchase of masks and ventilators. “Some measures can be taken immediately and prosecution can be initiated,” he added. According to Rao, these findings are significant because they come from a “senior judge of high integrity” and underscore the need for transparency and accountability in this matter. He stated that the report is close to being made public as the government plans to present it in the legislature.

The minister clarified that the investigation was not carried out with political motives or a desire for revenge. “We are not going on a political witch hunt,” Rao said. He also stated that the investigations will extend beyond the health department to other sectors such as Urban Development and BBMP. According to Rao, these additional investigations aim to uncover whether similar irregularities occurred in other departments during the same period.