Kolkata Vaccine Scam: BJP Demands Probe; Accused May Be Charged With Attempt To Murder

Police have arrested total three persons in the vaccine fraud case - two for forging signatures to open bank accounts, and third person for taking an active part in the vaccination camps.

Kolkata: West Bengal's Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Suvendu Adhikari has written a letter to the union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan demanding a central agency probe in the vaccination scam where fake Covid-19 vaccines are allegedly being administered. 

In his letter to the unoin minister, Adhikar noted that Debanjan Deb impersonating as an IAS officer working as Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been holding illegal vaccination camps in Kolkata's Kasba. 

The MLA took potshots at the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government and claimed that such an exercise of fraud cannot happen without the blessings of the highest offices. The leader of opposition further alleged that several incriminating photographs of the accused with influential leaders of the ruling TMC were seen endorsing the activities of Debanjan Deb. 

He emphasised that such an incident can cause a severe dent on the  credibility of this historic vaccination drive" being undertaken by your government, and demanded a thorough investigation in the matter. 

The fake vaccination centre scam was busted earlir this week after TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty raised an alarm when she did not receive any SMS or  vaccination certificate after she took the vaccine at the centre. Mimi got jabbed at the centre at Kasba on Wednesday. Her health has deteriorated and she is undergoing medical treatment at home after she started feeling pain in the stomach. 

Acknowledging the matter, the Kolkata police arrested one Debanjan Deb who claimed himself to be an IAS officer with the Government of West Bengal and forged documents, fake identity cards, seal, and signature of the authorities of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. 

Investigations revealed that Deb also conducted another vaccination camp at a college in the north Kolkata's Amherst Street area where several teachers and students took the vaccine. Deb gave people shots of the anti-biotic Amikacin. 

Police have arrested total three persons in the vaccine fraud case - two for forging signatures to open bank accounts, and third person for taking an active part in the vaccination camps.

According to media reports, the alleged fraudster may face 'attempt to murder charges' for holding at least three fake vaccination camps. The Kolkata police is likely to appeal to court today to add Section 307 to the list of charges.