Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 15 (HBTV): The Karnataka government has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by the previous BJP-led government in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil announced that the SIT would be led by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). Minister Patil criticized the BJP, alleging that the former administration 'behaved inhumanely' during the crisis.

He stated that the people of Karnataka faced a 'major disaster' due to what he termed as 'mismanagement' of the pandemic by the BJP. "We (the people of Karnataka) faced a significant disaster. The BJP-led government acted inhumanely when they should have prioritized saving lives. The previous government engaged in deceiving people, corruption, and missing documentation, and even obstructed the PSI committee from functioning," Minister Patil said.

He further alleged that the BJP-led administration purchased Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits at inflated rates and bought expired medicines. "They made every effort to conceal their corruption. PPE kits, available at INR 334, were bought at INR 2,117, and they purchased outdated medicines," the minister claimed.

"They even bought from blacklisted companies, falsely claimed donations, and then paid these firms. All this information has come to light," he added.

The minister also mentioned the formation of a committee to investigate irregularities in PPE procurement. "Complaints were made to the Human Rights Commission and the Lokayukta. In response, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of Justice Michael D Cunnah. Approximately 50,000 documents were reviewed by the committee, which submitted an interim report. The report highlighted massive corruption during the COVID crisis, and some details were shared with the cabinet sub-committee," he explained.

"The main findings pointed to significant corruption and inhumane practices in COVID management. Administration was undermined by certain officials at the behest of politicians; these revelations are deeply shocking," he said.

According to Minister Patil, the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission report recommended the prosecution of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu for the purchase of 300,000 PPE kits from Chinese firms.

Minister Patil stated that FIRs would be filed against those implicated in the COVID mismanagement and corruption allegations.

(ANI)