Karnataka cabinet OKs SIT probe into 'BJP-era Covid scam'

BENGALURU: Eighteen months into its term, Siddaramaiah government on Thursday approved constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged financial mismanagement and misuse of Covid-19 funds during BJP govt from 2019 to 2023.

The SIT, headed by a senior police officer of inspector general (IGP) rank, will build on the findings from an interim report submitted on Aug 31 by retired high court judge Justice John Michael D’Cunha, who identified alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 7,223 crore.

Law minister H K Patil said: “The Covid-19 scam saw an inhumane attitude of the previous govt that indulged in corruption, which included under-reportage of deaths and missing procurement documents.”

Justice D’Cunha’s report recommends the recovery of Rs 500 crore and names former CM B S Yediyurappa and ex-minister B Sriramulu as key figures in alleged procurement malpractices, including purchase of imported personal protective equipment (PPE) kits at inflated cost over cheaper options.