Bengaluru, Dec 31 (NationPress) Justice Michael D’Cunha, who led an inquiry into fatalities during the COVID-19 crisis and suspected anomalies in the procurement of medical supplies, presented his final report to the Karnataka government on Wednesday, calling for its disclosure to the public.

The retired justice, who oversaw the Commission of Inquiry regarding medical procurement and COVID-19 fatalities, submitted the report to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In the report, the Commission noted: “While the report is not yet available to the public, considering the significant public interest and the urgent need for reforms and transparency in public procurement, the government should contemplate making the report public as soon as possible.”

Justice D’Cunha had previously submitted an interim report. Upon reviewing these interim findings, the State government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Moreover, a Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, was established to delve into the report.

However, the investigation into the COVID-19 scandal was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as no senior IPS officer was willing to lead the SIT due to the involvement of numerous senior IAS officers and politicians.

The Karnataka Congress has claimed that the findings of the Justice D’Cunha Commission unveiled misconduct by the BJP during the pandemic in the State.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously accused the BJP of engaging in corruption “over dead bodies” during the COVID-19 crisis.

“No god will forgive the BJP and its leaders for this. The public should not forgive them either,” he stated.

The Chief Minister further alleged that during the COVID-19 pandemic, then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and former Health Minister B. Sriramulu were implicated in corruption tied to the import of PPE kits from China.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil asserted that significant corruption occurred under the BJP-led government during the COVID-19 pandemic, as highlighted in the Justice D’Cunha Commission report.

“We raised these concerns even when we were in the opposition, and now they have been validated,” he remarked.

He further accused that medical equipment and supplies were procured at prices exceeding market rates during the pandemic.

“The BJP profited from the crisis, and the D’Cunha Committee report suggests that Rs 49 crore should be reclaimed,” he stated.

The minister also alleged extensive corruption in the Medical Education and Health Departments, including in the procurement of PPE kits, CT scanners, and ventilators.

“Notices have already been issued to former department secretaries,” he added.

Patil further claimed that there was fraudulent activity amounting to more than Rs 200 crore in RT-PCR testing at Kidwai Hospital. He clarified that the report submitted by Justice D’Cunha was preliminary and that more instances of corruption would be revealed in the final report.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders have accused Justice D’Cunha of being an agent for the Congress party. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi made the accusation, leading the Congress-led government to file a complaint against him with the Governor.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa dismissed the allegations as unfounded, asserting that there was no reason for concern.

“This is an old matter. All actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic were within legal bounds. With malicious intent, they are attempting to create controversy. It won't benefit them at all,” he remarked.

“I am confident that no errors were made and that we fulfilled our responsibilities with integrity. Despite investigations, nothing has been unearthed against us. The Congress is desperately attempting to unearth something, but they will not succeed,” Yediyurappa asserted.