The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly under the previous BJP government. This move follows the interim findings of the Justice Michael de Cunha Commission of Inquiry, which was tasked with scrutinizing pandemic-related expenditures.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil briefed the media on Thursday, explaining that the SIT will examine those involved and pursue necessary actions based on the fact-finding report. A cabinet sub-committee will also be formed to oversee the investigation process and ensure timely actions are taken.
The report, submitted on August 31, analyzed expenditures totaling Rs 7,223.64 crore. While no clear scale of misappropriation was identified, the commission recommended recovering Rs 500 crore from certain transactions. The commission had reviewed 55,000 files across 31 districts and four zones in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) but is still awaiting additional reports.
Minister Patil emphasized that the SIT will address criminal elements highlighted in the findings. The cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, will work alongside relevant officers to ensure thorough review and monitoring. The sub-committee includes ministers G. Parameshwara, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Priyank Kharge, Santosh Lad, and Sharan Prakash Patil.
"Wherever the criminal element is there, SIT will naturally look into it. Apart from that, the Cabinet subcommittee will be assisted by relevant officers to go into details of other malpractices. The details about those involved are not there in this report and it may come in the final report," the Minister added, as per PTI.
Additionally, the cabinet has initiated proceedings to recover funds and blacklist companies involved in the alleged malpractices. In a separate decision, the government also withdrew 43 criminal cases registered at various police stations across the state.