Bengaluru, 14 Nov

Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities in the purchase of equipment and medicines during Covid pandemic when the BJP was in power in the State, based on the interim report submitted by Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said an Inspector General of Police rank officer will head the SIT. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will decide the officers in the SIT.

“Once the SIT comes into existence, it will start working and the moment it felt the need to file FIR, they will do it and start investigation,” Patil said.

He said the final report, once submitted, will also be forwarded to the SIT to investigate.

According to him, the SIT will only probe the irregularities and crime and not the recovery of the public money. “The recovery aspect will not be taken up by this SIT. The committee may give its recommendation on recovery. The recovery can be done by a separate agency of the Department of Revenue because it will be like a recovery of revenue dues,” Patil said.

The state government had formed a commission headed by Justice D’Cunha, which submitted the interim report on 31 August.

The panel had recommended the prosecution of the then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu.

“Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits that were available for Rs 330 per unit in Karnataka and Mumbai were imported from foreign countries in lakhs for Rs 2,117 per kit. They purchased outdated medicines at double to triple the prevailing rate from blacklisted companies,” he alleged. -PTI