SIT To Be Formed To Handle Offences And Crimes During Covid-19 In Karnataka
Bengaluru: Based on the interim inquiry commission report submitted by retired Justice John Michael Cunha on the alleged irregularities during Covid-19 pandemic in Karnataka, the cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under an IGP rank officer to initiate further action on the inquiry report.
The first report submitted by Cunha to the State Government recommended prosecution of Bharatiya Janata Party Central Parliamentary Board member and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and former minister B. Sreeramulu. When Covid-19 hit Karnataka (2020-21), BJP was in power led by B.S. Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister and B. Sreeramulu served as Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
“The SIT will handle offences and crimes committed by erring persons,” said Patil while stating that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will decide on who should head the SIT.
After the meeting, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil told reporters in Bengaluru the SIT will further investigate the irregularities against culprits, register a First Information Report and file a charge sheet to initiate their prosecution.
Patil said after studying the Cunha report, the Cabinet sub-committee constituted on Justice Cunha inquiry report presented its recommendations at the cabinet meeting before it was decided to constitute a SIT. The Cabinet sub-committee on Cunha report will continue its function since only an interim report has been submitted.
Explaining on the BJP functioning of the BJP government during Covid-19, Patil alleged the BJP government acted in an “inhumane” way and indulged in rampant corruption, ran government irresponsibly, cheated people, suppressed information and made documents inaccessible.
He stated that in spite of a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit available in Mumbai for Rs 330 but BJP government purchased PPE kits for exorbitant prices from abroad. Lakhs of PPE kits were purchased from high prices and from blacklisted companies.