PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The inspector general of police, Garhwal range, Rajeev Swaroop has sought the police investigation report of the alleged Kumbh Mela Covid-19 test scam after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet in the De court related to money laundering in the case. The ED submitted the chargesheet in a special court in Dehradun, naming 14 accused, including representatives from Max Corporate Services. The court has fixed June 24 as the next date of hearing. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, the State government assigned several pathology labs to conduct RT-PCR tests for pilgrims participating in the Kumbh Mela. The labs included Max Corporate Services, Dr Lal Chandani Labs, Nalwa Laboratories, DNA Labs and Nox Pathology. An initial investigation revealed that these labs reportedly submitted fake entries for RT-PCR and antigen tests using fictitious identities. The State government disbursed several crores of rupees based on these fake records. As per the officials, over one lakh test records were found suspicious during the preliminary inquiry. The labs allegedly misappropriated over Rs three crore by submitting fraudulent test data. Following the findings, police registered an FIR in 2021. As the money laundering angle surfaced, the ED initiated its own probe and conducted raids at the premises of lab operators in Dehradun, Delhi, Noida and Hisar. They reportedly seized cash amounting to Rs 50-60 lakh and initiated proceedings to attach properties. The ED investigation revealed that the fraud involved 15 labs. The IG also confirmed that the investigation led to the registration of three FIRs in Haridwar and Dehradun and 14 individuals were named as accused. With the ED’s chargesheet now in court, Swaroop said that he has called for the police report and is preparing to fix accountability for any potential lapses in the investigation.
