Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

Fake COVID-19 testing scam: SIT probing role of officers connected to Kumbh Mela administration

An additional charge under IPC Sec 467 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc) has also been added in the FIR.

Fake COVID-19 testing scam: SIT probing role of officers connected to Kumbh Mela administration-dnm
Author
Haridwar, First Published Jul 2, 2021, 11:59 AM IST

The special investigation team (SIT) formed to probe allegations of fake Covid-19 tests conducted during the Haridwar Kumbh Mela is investigating the role of officers connected to the Mela administration.

An additional charge under IPC Sec 467 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc) has also been added in the FIR.

This comes after TOI reported that the SIT is also probing Haridwar chief medical officer (CMO) Dr SK Jha's role under whose watch the tests were conducted.

Earlier, police had registered a case under IPC sections 420 [cheating] and 120B [criminal conspiracy] and sections under Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Diseases Act.

The SIT had recorded statements of Haridwar CMO Dr SK Jha, Kumbh mela health officer Dr AK Sengar and owners of Max Corporate Services, Nalwa Laboratories and Dr Lalchandani labs, including other mediators and service providers, for their alleged involvement. On Thursday, Max owner Sharat Pant was questioned again.

One of the world's largest religious gatherings, the Kumbh was held in the state from April 1 to 30, and the notified area for the congregation covered various places in Haridwar, Dehradun and Tehri districts.

Uttarakhand government registered a case against two private labs and Max Corporate Limited agency in this connection. The state health department lodged an FIR at Nagar Kotwali police station against Max corporate agency, Lalchandani Labs, and Nalwa Lab in Nagar Kotwali, according to Senior Superintendent of Police in Haridwar Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj.

Three shahi snans took place in Uttarakhand on April 12, 14 and 27, and as per the reports, 70 lakh devotees attended the Kumbh.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state government had decided to reduce the event to one month. After coronavirus cases started rising, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to the seers to have only symbolic participation in the Kumbh Mela.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona 

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios