Teams investigating the RT-PCR test fraud that surfaced during Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 have started calling all cell phone numbers that are against the almost 1 lakh RT-PCR tests that are supposed to be fake. By calling each number, the investigation teams try to find out if the person using the number even attended the Kumbh Mela and collect other evidence related to this scam.
The Uttarakhand government has formed a team of eight to dial and check these numbers one by one.
Sources say the team has gathered multiple pieces of evidence related to the fraud, but more calls are being made and the investigation is ongoing.
WHAT IS THE KUMBH RT-PCR TEST FRAUD?
During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand government authorized eleven private companies to carry out RT-PCR tests on trade fair visitors. This was done to detect Covid-19 cases and prevent the virus infection from spreading in the Kumbh Mela area.
Among those 11 companies was one called Max Corporate Services, which in turn is Nalwa Labs and Dr. Hired Lalchandani Labs to perform RT-PCR tests. Almost 1 lakh done by these labs is under the scanner.
The Uttarakhand government had given eleven private companies permission to run RT-PCR tests during the Kumbh Mela. (Photo: Dilip Singh Rathod)
Previous investigations have shown that these 1 lakh RT-PCR tests were only carried out on paper and that no test was carried out on the ground. As a result, the lives and well-being of many people who attended the Kumbh Mela were at risk.
According to instructions from Haridwar District Magistrate (DM) C Ravishankar, laboratories performing RT-PCR tests should compulsorily record details of each person whose samples were taken. Even so, the private laboratories disregarded the norms and resorted to illegal means to present an excessive number of tests they had carried out.
The DM has already formed a team of three to investigate the matter and the investigation is ongoing.
In addition, the state government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate this case.
How the fraud came to light
The Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test fraud came to light when a Vipin Mittal, a resident of Faridkot (in Punjab), wrote to the Uttarakhand Minister of Health that although he did not attend the Kumbh Mela, an RT-PCR report was received from Haridwar was delivered to him.
The Minister of Health then ordered the Haridwar DM to investigate the matter. The DM formed a committee to investigate this and it was during that investigation that the history of the 1 Lakh fake RT-PCR tests came to light.
Soon the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test fraud made national headlines.
CASE DISCONTINUED, LABS BOOKED
According to the results of the preliminary investigation, which indicated fraud by the private laboratories, the district judge ordered the registration of a case against them. In response to a complaint from Haridwar’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. SK Jha responded The police filed a case on June 17th.
The three private companies are accused of:
- Recourse to fraud in the name of performing RT-PCR tests during Haridwar Kumbh Mela
- Creation of Covid-19 test reports also from those who did not attend the Kumbh Mela and transmission of the fake reports to the administration
- Run hundreds of tests yourself at one location
- Register several people with the same mobile number
The case against the three companies was registered in Haridwar after the district’s chief medical officer issued a declaration of conformity. (Photo: Dilip Singh Rathod)
AGENCIES INVESTIGATING THE FRAUD
The investigation into Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test fraud is mainly conducted at two levels: (1) by the county government; and (2) the administration responsible for running the Kumbh Mela.
The investigation, ordered by the county administration, will be led by Saurabh Gaharwar, Haridwar’s Chief Development Officer, while the investigation into the administration of Kumbh Mela will be led by a senior health officer who leads a team of five.
ALSO READ | Panel to investigate the charges of fake Covid tests by a private laboratory during the Kumbh Mela
Sources say the county government’s investigation found evidence that the three private laboratories used fraudulent methods. Upon receiving approval, Max Corporate Services ordered RT-PCR tests to be performed on Nalwa Labs and Dr. Lalchandani Labs outsourced.
In return, Nalwa Labs outsourced the work to a company called Dolifia, despite not having a license to perform RT-PCR tests.
According to the county government investigation, these companies submitted 1.04,796 samples between April 13 and May 16. Of these, 95,102 samples were uploaded to the online portal.
It has been alleged that these companies created fake reviews in order to maximize their profits. For example, these companies claimed to have collected 3,925 samples from Haridwar’s Nepalese farm area. However, all of these samples were registered under the same cell phone number.
The Haridwar Kumbh Mela was organized despite concerns from health experts that the month-long event was turning into a super-spreading event. (Photo: PTI)
Based on the results, the laboratories were booked under sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection with life-threatening diseases), 420 (fraud and dishonesty), 468 (counterfeit for the purpose of fraud), 471 (use as counterfeit) Document), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 188 (disobedience to orders duly promulgated by civil servants) of the Indian Criminal Code, along with sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Act.
ALSO READ | Kumbh Covid test fraud: Case registered against 2 private laboratories, Max company agency registered
Given the scale and gravity of the matter, the Uttarakhand SIT (Special Investigation Team) has also launched its investigation. This team is directly monitored by DGP Ashok Kumar.
The SIT issued notices to the three private laboratories and summoned them for questioning. It has also issued notices to others linked to the case, started investigating documents related to the fraud and interviewed the officials concerned.
MANIPULATION OF DOCUMENTS
Aside from alleging nearly a lakh of fake RT-PCR tests, Max Corporate Services has also been accused of tampering with documents related to its request to perform RT-PCR tests.
Sources say that Max Corporate Services obtained permission to run RT-PCR tests based on its application on March 12, 2021. However, the date stated in the permit has been overwritten and changed to January 12, 2021. The document was signed by the Kumbh Mela public health officer. The date under his signature has been overwritten.
WHAT THESE LABS SAY IN DEFENSE
Max Corporate Services and Dr. Lalchandani Labs have appealed to the Uttarakhand High Court and challenged the FIR filed against them.
In their complaint, Max Corporate Services argued that allegations of fraud against them were unfounded. His lawyer, Kartikey Hari Gupta, said Nalwa Labs and Dr. Lalchandani Labs are both testing facilities that have been certified by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
“Max Corporate Services has nothing to do with this alleged fraud. It’s just a service provider. It only served the two companies that ran the tests, ”he argued, adding that even Max wants to shed the truth on the case.
“The collection of all samples and their data entry was carried out in front of capable officials of the government,” argued Gupta, asking the court to protect his client from any adverse government action. “We are ready to do whatever we can to help with the investigation,” he told the court.
In the meantime, Dr. Lalchandani Labs turned to the Supreme Court to overturn the FIR registered against them in the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR fraud case.
It has argued that it was hired by Max Corporate Services to perform RT-PCR tests at the Kumbh Mela and that it performed the tests as per protocol. “All test records are available from us. We are an ICMR certified laboratory, ”it said.
ALSO READ | Fake Covid tests for Kumbh: Max Corporate moves HC against FIR
إرسال تعليق